The Gift of Giving

This view is intriguing my daughter ... or maybe I should say driving her crazy. She's desperate to know how many packages are for her. And wishing it were Christmas already. I had hoped the advent calendar we're doing would help her see how far out we still are, but it hasn't really clicked yet. And to a four-year-old, two weeks may as well be eons.
I love giving gifts. It's one of my top love languages, which sometimes drives my husband crazy because it's not one of his (Even after 14 1/2 years, we're still learning how to speak each other's language). It is an absolute thrill to me to find the perfect gift for someone. When I hear an idea they drop during the year, and tuck it away to put under my tree later, then see the faces light up, that's one of the best gifts I could ask for.
I'm trying to teach my four-year-old that she needs to focus more on giving gifts than getting them, but it's a work in progress.
How about you? What's your favorite part of the gift-giving season? Do you get a thrill when you pick out a perfect present or are you one of those who longs for a wish list to pick from ... or even just gives cash or gift cards (my grandmother always said cash was the perfect gift because no one ever complained about the size or color)? Have you come up with a way to simplify things or are you rushing around like I am, trying to finish up some last-minute projects? Whatever you're doing about gifts, I hope you can take a moment to just enjoy this happy, busy time of year.