[MeganS]

I think tha 'the thought counts' if thought goes into what the gift is and who it's for. If someone got my parents a gift certificate to the wine store, that wouldn't be very thoughtful, because they don't drink. you know? So while it's nice "Oh you thought to get me anything at all!" I'd prefer to not get something, than get something that I felt awkward about having no use for.

I found that I bought a LOT less this year, but the things I gave had a lot more meaning/thought put into them. and the people I didn't get gifts for were the same ones who didn't get gifts for me, so it was all good!

even if you don't know someone well enough to get them something really for them, you can still get them a thoughtful gift. My cousin and her husband live in Pennsylvania, so I don't see them often. They know I love theatre, but I wouldn't expect them to buy me a ticket to a show or whatever. So they bought me a full set of stationary with my initial on it, and a really cute purse. Even though it's not really 'me' it's still really thoughtful, because it's something I can use.