I never thought the amount really mattered. Last year when I was still with my girl I spent a little over 100 bucks. Got her a few little things, plus an indoor planeterium from the Discovery Channel Store. We used to spend a lot of time outside looking at the stars and talking, but in the winter the cold made that hard. So presto, indoor stars.
Right now no one in my life though. Two special girls though, no romance but very, very good friends. For one I got her and her husband a program that's a country wide trail guide for various hiking, biking and boating trips, and a carniverous plant set. Cost was about 70.
The other girl, single and my best friend beyond a doubt, got a few things. I made her a water color with her nick name in Chinese symbols along with a personal note, nicely framed with stuff I got from the local art store. Then a scent of insense she's been unable to find because it was discontinued, or so she thought. Two scented oils and a hand held crossword puzzle electronic game thingy. Cost was a little under 100. She hasn't gotten them yet, only the water color. So far from her I got a pair of easy chop sticks because my chop stick skills suck when eating sushi. More to come later when we meet up thing week.
So far this year I've pulled in a good haul. My brother's present was the best, a Viking helmet. I'm wearing that to work on Tuesday. My boss has a problem with it I'll pillage his office and rape his laptop.