So on to something miniatures related.  On occasion, I do like to purchase miniatures for the express purpose of painting them and giving to a friend.  Each year, I give all my players a painted miniature.  The crab man I recently painted was purchased for a player of mine who every so often makes a crab people joke.  I saw the miniature at the swap, it was only $1, and I simply couldn't resist the urge to buy it.  
But sometimes I'm so happy with the paint job I have a hard time letting go.  I painted a pair of mermaids last year I was particularly proud of, I didn't even intend on giving them away when purchased, but one went to niece, and the other, the topless one, went to a player.  Overall I do enjoy giving miniatures away.  It saves me from having to find a place for them at home and it makes other people happy.  But given the time investment and the uncertainty in repeating any success, it's tough to get rid of them.