I guess it depends on who you asked. I always said, "There's no present like the time," but I don't exchange gifts for Xmas. (For one thing, if I did, it would be in September. When Jaseph and Mirrah were in Bethlahem for the Roman census?)
I find that gifts are better received when they're Not expected, but when my ex-girlfriend got married, I sent her, and her wife a Symbol, 2 hearts intertwined in infinity, with a sonnet explaining the symbolism in couplets, quatrain, and nerdy detail.
They got the symbol tattoed on each other for their 4th anniversary, so I took that to mean they appreciated it. I also believe something you made (Especially since one is an artist that works in metal mesh) is better than something you bought, because it's that time of year again...