Often the pressure is great so any gift will do. But as Charles Warner noted, "The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value." An appropriate gift is one that shows that thought has been given toward choosing something the receiver can use and will appreciate. That sort of gift brings joy to the giver as well as the recipient. A sincere thank-you pleases us all.

Jesus said people know how to give good gifts especially if it is clear what another needs (Matthew 7:9-11). The Bible also tells us that it is more blessed to give than receive (Acts 20:35). That is true when the gift is appropriate—when it fills a need or leaves the recipient with gratitude. Thinking in giving is a win-win for all sides.