Interesting article, Jerry.  Thanks for posting it.  I have strong feelings about gifts - and they fall along the lines of the article, but I do think gift cards have their place.  I like to give gift cards as graduation presents.  HS grads, and even college grads need STUFF and it all adds up when they have to buy it.   But Christmas gifts I like to be more personal.  It is a special time of the year and I like to honor the recipients with something special.  A number of years ago I found myself running all around trying to find ANYTHING to give family members for Christmas.  You have to realize that my workload triples from October thru January.  I travels LOTS and put in 14 hour days.  Shopping is not easy to do and I don't enjoy feeling rushed during the holiday season.  So, I decided that I would spend the whole year working on my gifts.  I make every gift I give at Christmas.  This includes my neighbors, co-workers and family.  This year I knit hats, scarves, mittens, tote bags, handbags and wash cloths for everyone on our list.  It took all year to do it, but it was fun picking the yarn, the colors, and the pattern for each person.  As I knit the items, I would think of the recipient and how they might enjoy using the item as well as fun times we had together in the past. 

I hope the receivers of my hand knit gifts enjoy them.  If not, well, I'm sorry that they don't.  Maybe they can drop a hint of what they would like the next , and give my handiwork to someone that might enjoy it more. (Some have made specific requests - socks are very popular )

I hate to say it, but I have to side with Angel Spun on this one... Gift cards/certificates definately have their place. I mean, a generic walmart card=maybe not great for christmas. but say you have somebody who collects... I don't know.. collectible plates or spoons. *shrugs* I think a gift card to "ma's house-o-plates" would be appreciated. or.. to that guy who's obsessed with music? a card for FYE or something would be better than picking a CD, since for all you know, he could have bought it himself a week ago. Sure, the thought counts. the thought counts too, if you let them get their own.

That said, I'm sending pretty much everybody christmas cards this year, and if they don't like it, they can bite me. I made my secret santa's present, and I'm making my mom's present soon, and my stepdad is getting something I got for him earlier this year. I'm buying my FFIL's present (since he needs healthcare more than stuff), and I'm... not actually sure what to get Paul yet.  maybe a muzzle for his father? (think annoying barking dog)