Nothing Like the Present

William and I always try to think of awesome presents for each other. Because both of our birthdays fall near the holidays, we're really kicking into high gear for present-thinking-upping.

It's hard! I am easier to please than he is with gifts I think, but he is always very much wanting to do the perfect thing for me. I always want to surprise him and come up with something way awesome, but he has very specific ideas about what he likes, and I don't always understand what those are (i.e. if I want to buy him something to support his painting hobby, I'm not sure what's good and what isn't, or why something might work better than another for some reason.)
I honestly love buying presents for people. I enjoy thinking up things they woudl enjoy; I love shopping; and perhaps, more than any other thing, I love the moment where I think I've found the perfect gift for someone. And if it turns out to be what I think it is, I love the enjoyment someone gets out of it.
If I had more money, I would buy more presents. I run into things all the time that I think that my friends or family or William would enjoy (and don't even get me started on what I could buy for Molly). We draw names in our family for Christmas, and it's fun and makes things much easier financially. But sometimes it's hard, because I come up with gifts for the wrong person! Or I want to find some sneaky way to give away gifts to everyone.
Anyway...this line of conversation with William tonight and Mrs Twink's post led me to wonder: what is your gift-buying philosophy? What's been the greatest gift you've come up with? What's the best one you've received? And, of course, what's the worst?
Come on, pony up. I'm really curious.