The bloom is officially off the rose.

It seems Mrs O gave a not-entirely-thoughtful gift to the family of British PM Gordon Brown. The Brits are taking offense.

You can read about it here. Here's an article from a conservative British publication. Do you think she put too little thought into the gifts for the Browns — or not?

The answer partly depends on what a gift should be. To me the best gift is something that I love because of what it is — but also something that shows me the gift-giver gave real thought to what I would like. The best example I have is the necklace my husband gave me for our 10th anniversary. It's a single imperfect but beautiful South Sea pearl strung on a leather cord — very me. It's one of my favorite pieces of jewelry and the best one I've ever gotten from him. (It's from one of my favorite stores, Tabandeh, in Mazza Gallerie, in Washington, DC.

What's the best gift you ever got, and what makes you love it?