i'm with rouge on this one - i'm more about the giving and i don't like to look at the exact dollar value of anything. i do shop to the designated value though - for the simple fact that i've been the person with no spare cash, where every cent counts, and i know others are/have been there - if there is a spend limit, it's only fair to those who can't afford to go over that for EVERYONE to stick to it

must say, i don't participate in the work SS any more after too many incidents where people got their friends and went over the limit, while people who got colleagues spent well under the limit (one was a $10 to $15 window - someone got a $2 gift - with the price still on it) - as a result, when i was asked if i'd rather participate in SS this year or donate a gift to the work Salvation Army Wishing Tree - didn't hesitate to say the wishing tree.... i know the gift will be appreciated that way...