True story. Happened to me. Last year (or the year before) before Purim.

I was in a store waiting for pay for some items. In front of me, in line, were two women who were being assisted by the saleswoman in preparing/creating a nice purim basket. There was potpuorri in different colors and various shaped containers. There were some other lotions and bath oils. And there was a bottle of wine that they were trying to balance without crushing any of the potpourri (however the heck they spell it).
Being me, I asked them if this was for Mishloach Manos. When they said that it was, I commented on the lack of food and did they really think they were doing the actual mitzvah of MM. To make a long story short, it ended up in another arguement where I made a scene by speaking my mind (as I usually do).

However, Mishloach Manos has become a whole creativity contest with themes and whatnot. Many times I recieve stuff that is not even edible but it matches the theme wonderfully.
Do candy and other junk food (or raw food) count as Mishloach Manos? What is the actual mitzvah?

In light of all this, I decided to make some changes in my MM this year.
1-Anyone who I will not be seeing on Purim..is not getting Mishloach Manos because the mitzvah is only on Purim.
2-Anyone who is coming to my house for the meal (big bash) will not be getting Mishloach Manos.
3-Anyone else will be getting food (or snacks that most resemble food).

Yes, we've lost our focus.

This is a great point, but sadly this is hardly the biggest problem in the frum world nowadays.

Perhaps, but it's a symptom of one of the big problems.

i really don't think those ladies were trying to fulfill the mitzva of MM with that. sometimes you just want to give a nice basket as MM.

MM is a pretty easy mitzvah to follow and most people go above and beyond as a matter of course (e.g., giving to a lot of people or having many different foods in it).

It's also a great time to show your friends that you value them so I think many people focus on this aspect (and maybe your friend really would like hand lotion).

I like to give to the people in my bulding, but right, if they are going to be gone all day, what's the point of them coming home to stuff piled up by the door. I'm giving a lot less this year.

The mitzva is two minim to one person, preferably food that can be used at the se'udah.
(correct me if I'm wrong.)

and that is why my wife and I give kugels (a potato and lukshen ) and some salads and sometimes a grape juice as well and only to people who we eat shabbos meals by or relatives so about only 30

Gulp. I think we have 6 on our list.

Does that mean I should cross you off my list?

Are you even going to be in NY???

(But amn't I on your top 6 list anyway?)