A Polite Gesture

Giving a gift, if nothing else, has always been a polite gesture.  Even if the gift you are giving is something that isn't particularly useful, we are taught that it's "the thought that counts."

Tying into the theme of the free gift and whether or not such a thing exists:  I would say that many gifts, a lot of the better ones in life, cost little to nothing.  While it's always great to receive an expensive sweater or a stack of new dress shirts, nothing can replace the thoughtfulness of a simple painting made especially for you.  Or perhaps a custom knit scarf that was made with you in mind.  Yarn is incredibly cheap but if you get a gift like that, it's something you'll cherish because you know it means something.  It wasn't just picked up at some store at the last minute.  Money isn't always the answer.  There was a good example of this in an episode of the show Seinfeld where Jerry couldn't think of a gift to give Elaine, so he ended up giving her a card with over a hundred dollars in it.  She responded with "you gave me cash?" in a disgusted tone.

You don't need money to give a good gift.  I personally try to give a gift at any occasion that seems to require one.  I feel like it's rude not to.