I got cash, my favorite gift!

I gave my mom two books that mean something to me (an autographed copy of this, and this one), as well as a little ceramic plant from an art college's holiday fair in a little window-box that says, "Plants you can't kill!" since she's a plant-killer.

I always try to thoughtful when gift-giving, so I got a few close friends something special, too - special loose-leaf teas, cool jewelry made from jeweled beetles' wings, quirky cards from small design companies, etc. etc.