Like a lot of you, I find it hard to make a gift list. I have everything I want, probably two of them. And what's left is too expensive to expect for a gift. I'd love a level action rifle or a Woolrich hunting coat but I can't expect people to shell out that much money. And while I appreciate pretty much anything someone thought to give me, what I really want in life is someone to handle a few things I can't get done. Like could someone take my car to the shop and get the broken speaker fixed? Could someone stain my deck? Etc. But I really think Christmas morning should be presents under the tree -- size and cost doesn't matter, its just the tradition of opening presents together that counts.
I had relatives that used to treat Christmas as an invitation to your credit cards. Like, hey, this year I'd like my kitchen painted, or I'd like bookshelves built in the den. I don't think that's in the spirit of the holiday.
But if you want to make me happy, wrap up a can of cashews -- simple and always welcome.