On another completely personal pet peeve note:
I think it is super tacky to go after someone for the contents of their boxes. Just because YOU choose to spend a lot of money on a box does not mean that all can afford that.
The GE gives a minimum, meaning you CAN give the minimum. If you don't like cheap gifts, change the rules.
Not everyone can afford the world and they would still like to participate. Maybe they could split up buddies by price range so that everyone thinks it is "fair."
Personally, I give to give. I don't give to receive. If you whine about sub par gifts, you aren't giving to give... you are giving to receive, period.
I, for one, will never be participating in a GE here because I don't think I could live up to the lofty standards of the unwritten minimum.
I'd be paranoid that what I did just wasn't good enough and I'd be ridiculed to no end for it.
Just not right in my opinion.