I've done the charity gifts (I love love LOVE the "T.E.A.R. International" ones, because you get a card (can be physical or an e one) which says what has been given, and has a picture. They go from $5 to $5K and are just fabulous. I also know people who work there, and have confidence about the charity, which helps


I generally do that, or get books - book depository has a spectacular range and posts for free to your home/work, which works for me. I find it simple enough to get something in the general area of their interest (golf / biography / commerce / humour for FIL, art / culture / history / contemporary upperbrow literature for MIL, etc) and I rarely need to spend more than $20.

And it's always something in the ballpark of acceptability, so I feel good about my choices.

The last killer one was a biography about Alice Cooper, who went from shock rocker to semi pro golfer, and everywhere in between. Gave it to FIL last year, it went down VERY well. Was maybe $15. I've got the "Humans of New York" book for MIL this year, which I actually wanted to get last year, but it just wasn't going to be out in time. Can't wait to give it to her, she's going to LOVE it.