As a child, birthday and Christmas presents are a big deal because you can’t buy yourself stuff. It’s the time of year you get things for free with no strings attached. But as you grow up, it becomes less of an issue. For example, last year it looked like for a while we’d left my birthday presents at home by accident and I didn’t really care too much. They’d be there when I got back and instead I would have a nice day with my family and then a dinner at a nice restaurant. We found them, but I would have been happy without.

As for Christmas, it can mean anything to you that you want. For some it’s the whole bible message. For others its a time you get together with family, have dinner and share gifts because that’s what you’re always done. For others it’s just another public holiday. My advice is if it has no real significance to you, then just take it as a chance to think about things you have and to appreciate the little things. Religious holidays don’t have to have a religious message after all.

Anyway, again, with presents it’s about showing that you know a person. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to be something personal in some way, practical or not. That’s what I think people really look for in a present.

As for the question itself; I try to do both if I can. In my experience the best present is one you use. Putting a smile on your face is great, but later I feel guilty that I don’t do much with them. A present you use makes you feel grateful for having the friend and their thoughtfulness.

On the other hand, I also like to give gifts that serve absolutely no purpose other than to look at. :D Something that is either personal in nature (maybe something I made myself for them) or maybe something the person always wanted, but never had the time or money to buy (like a poster).

(And when I don’t always know what to get someone, I usually end up getting them a giftcard from some place like Amazon or Borders. You can’t go wrong with giftcards! 8D)

I usually like to get practical gifts, things I know that people will like and will also use. I find that receiving cash seems impersonal, especially if it’s from a friend. If it’s from my mom or dad, I find it’s acceptable because I’m use to cash gifts from them (thinking Chinese New Years money here), but from friends and the boy I’m dating, I wouldn’t really expect cash. A gift card to a favourite store would be much appreciated, or books, or things that they know I’ll use or fits in well with my hobbies.

I like giving things that people will use and fits in with their sense of style/hobbies/general life. Getting a shoe organizer for someone is a little… out there, at least for me. Maybe it’s because it just seems… I don’t know, weird, lol. But then again, I have all of 5 pairs of shoes and I don’t know anyone who would have enough shoes to qualify for the need of a shoe organizer. ;)

For people whose interests/personalities I don’t really know that well, I give out practical gifts. These are gifts that, like you said, would help benefit them in the long run (ie gift cards to favorite stores, money, etc). But if I know the person well enough and he/she wouldn’t mind getting a “gag gift”, then I would give that for them.

As Jennifer said, it’s not about if it’s useful or to put a smile on someone’s face. It’s about taking the time to use your knowledge about the person you know (or if not, getting to know them) and giving them a gift that they want and will surely remember. It depends on the personality of the person that you’re getting the gift for.

The best gift usually screams out, “I know you’ve been wanting this, and here it is!”

I don’t get “gag” gifts, but for stockings I get little trinket-y things that might not be super useful but would be entertaining or something the recipient would get a kick out of.

I think your gifts are great! I’d be a tiny bit worried that the female roommate would think that I thought she was slobby if I gave those gifts to her, but at the same time, it’s super useful stuff and if you think she’d use them, that’s perfect.

Sure, I need new dishtowels, but getting those as a gift… well. There’s no enjoyment in it. I like to give things that people will waant to get, and that they’ll like to use or look at, and that will be remembered.