It's actually a really creative gift. Most sites have an option that asks if you do or don't want to receive other information. You really do need to read the fine print on the screen. I think people will always like shopping as an experience. A good example is the Gap.
People can buy something online and then return it to the store.
Or they can try it on, and if the store doesn't have the right color or size, go to the Web and order it. The two complement each other. There are lots of cases where the price you pay online is substantially cheaper than a comparable item in a real store. A lot of sites are still trying to grow, so there are some good specials out there, especially for first-time buyers. I think auction sites are great for buying unique gifts.