I love getting/giving gifts! However, due to financial reasons, we haven’t bought each other gifts in a long time. We did get one for the kids and the way they showed their appreication proved to me that one gift is all they need. When we are able to afford to buy more, we buy and give for a special occasion – birthday, yom tov or shabbos.
As for ourselves, we make channukah, birthdays, etc… special in other ways: a special dinner, a walk at the beach/water at night, etc.. (we can only go out if a family member is available to babysit to save on babysitting!!)
We have found that just setting aside time for the 2 of us (no cell phones, hatzoloh radio set to low, no answering doors) really makes the moment special and more meaningful.