It's the Thought that Counts

Have you ever received a gift from a long distance relative (or even a close distance relative) that was less than thrilling? You know what I mean, those ugly brown socks that go with nothing or a set of decorative ceramic leprechauns. Whenever that happened to me growing up, my parents would say "it's the thought that counts".

But what I want to know is how do you know the thoughts of the person who has bought you a lame gift? Because they don't write their thoughts on the card. It would be much easier if they did. It would be easier to know if the thought really is what counts if the card said something like:

Dear Marvin,

I know you really wanted a new baseball glove for your birthday, however, I am too cheap to spend $20 on my only nephew. I hope that this box of dead leaves I raked up in my yard is close enough.

Uncle Theo

P.S. I want the box the leaves came in back. It is not part of the gift. Please mail it back to me.

If this was the case, then you would be able to say that the thought, in fact, is NOT what counts.