It is the Christmas season and a common tradition in America is to give gifts to friends and family. Sometimes your family gives you gifts without knowing what you like. So sometimes the gifts you receive are a little strange. The important thing is that your friend or family was thinking about you. They are trying to show you that they care about you.
So, a common idiom in English is, “Its the thought that counts.”
For example,
Person A: Hey, what did you get for Christmas?
Person B: My girlfriend got me an ugly and really itchy sweater for Christmas.
Person A: That sucks, but its the thought that counts.
Person B: Yeah, at least she tried to get me something.
