I think George Carlin has the answer.

http://youtu.be/MvgN5gCuLac

If you feel the need to give a gift that isn't "stuff," try Kiva or Heifer International.

I was so relieved when our families on both sides decided to stop with the gifts. Nobody needed more stuff and a lot of it was s##t.*

*You have to watch this video to get the "stuff vs s##t" joke.