I'd much rather receive a gift they have personally picked out. I usually lose certificates anyways and it's much less personal to get those. May as well hand me money. I want to see what a person thinks of me for what they will pick out. It says much more about them and our relationship. I'd even prefer something handmade or somehow personal than something from a store that everyone has. Even a drawing or something. I always tell my kids to draw me something, when they ask what I want for my birthday or something. To me, the surprise, and the thoughtfulness of the gift is more precious than the gift itself.
If you were to make or design a gift for someone, what would it be?