Gift BoxNormally, at this time of the year, my office would be stacked with gifts from vendors, search companies, friends, colleagues, clients and so on.

But to-date, I only received two packages.

We know Google isn't sending out gifts this year. But what about everyone else? Seems like most companies are cutting back on holiday gifts.

I did get a few cards, which was nice.

My company will be giving out less expensive gifts this year. We will be giving out embroidered fleece scarves. We typically spend 4 times as much on a gift, but we also decided to cut back, based on the 2009 outlook.

It doesn't make me feel good to cut back, I feel like I am part of the problem, as opposed to part of the solution. But I need to be careful, going into 2009, like everyone else.