Posted Dec. 18, 2008

Are you dealing with these tough economic times by giving homemade gifts this holiday season? Then pat yourself on the back, because you're living just like a celebrity. Not only is Kate Hudson knitting presents for her family this Christmas, but Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's well-heeled brood is also going the crafty route.

Brad, with Maddox and Pax, arrives at the 2008 Venice Film Festival.

"We do exchange gifts, although we don't feel any pressure to make them big or expensive gifts," the still regrettably pornstached dad of Maddox, 7, Pax, 5, Zahara, 3, Shiloh, 2, and 5-month-old twins Vivienne and Knox tells Hello! (via People). "The kids don't ask for big gifts for the reason that they don't see a lot of the American cartoon television, which is packed with all those manipulative commercials for big toys that look so fantastic."

According to Pitt, who marked his 45th birthday on Thursday, "The rule is that everyone's got to make something for someone else, you got to put time into it. Then, when they give to each other, it's really sweet. The gift-giving is a very nice time for us."

Also nice: The couple's philanthropic fund is playing Santa to needy kids in the actor's hometown of Springfield, Mo. The News-Leader reports the Jolie-Pitt Foundation has contributed money to a fund set up to help public school students pay for food, health care, clothing and other essentials. Brad's brother Doug, a local businessman, also made a donation.

Meanwhile, one thing that Brad and Angelina apparently won't find under the tree this year is the $200 million prenuptial agreement that's being touted on the current cover of Star.

"He wants a prenup in place that spells out everything: their finances, their property and who will raise their children in case something happens," a snitch alleges to the tab, which believes the fertile flames are not only planning another double stork delivery but will wed in an extravagant ceremony next summer.

(The actor, who previously declared that he and Angelina would "consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able," recently told Ann Curry of their nuptial plans, "If we feel it's important to our kids, we'll do so.")

But a Jolie-Pitt mouthpiece shoots down the prenup, pregnancy and aisle-walk talk, insisting to MomLogic.com, "There is no truth to any of these claims."

Jen arrives at the "Late Show" in New York on Dec. 17. (©WireImage.com)

In related tabloid coverage, Jennifer Aniston's recent Jolie jabs of the "really uncool" and "considering the source" variety have prompted OK! to conclude she's "obsessed with Angie!"

"She is coming across as being bizarrely obsessed with Angelina," a studio exec snipes to the mag of the John Mayer-enamored actress. "It's time for her to stop talking about Angelina and move on."

And that's just what she tried to do during a sit-down Wednesday with David Letterman, whom she presented with what appeared to be a boys department version of the Brooks Brothers tie she wore on her naked GQ cover.

"I think it's all been said at this point," she told a magazine-wielding Dave about her personal life.

Then there's her refreshingly upbeat -- and Brangelina-light -- Q&A with fans featured on People's Best of 2008 cover (she even poses with an adorable, if distracted, "Marley & Me"-promoting puppy on her shoulder). Here are some highlights:

(©People)

On whether she'll remarry: "I don't know! I honestly don't know. I'm not against it. Maybe [smiles]. Maybe, sure."

On her holiday traditions: "My favorite tradition is picking out my tree and then the tree trimming. I just got mine! And there's eggnog, Christmas carols, usually chili, cupcakes. I've cooked the chili -- my mom has a great recipe. But now I have a lovely lady cook it because I want people to be happy!"

On what bad habit she dislikes most in a man: "Let's see, selfishness. No, that's a behavior. What's a bad habit? I'd say forgetting to turn off the lights."

On her impending 40th birthday: "I'm very excited. I had more of a panic going into 30. I think you realize that it just gets better. When they say youth is wasted on the young, it's so true. Oh my God, what I wish I'd known when I was 30!"

On how she gets through a crappy day: "You just have to love your life. I have my health, I have my friends, I have my loved ones. I'm extremely lucky."