Passive aggressive nice girl language

"It's the thought that counts."

This statement is typically used in a good way, to reassure someone who couldn't give you/someone else the perfect gift. It's the kindness of the act that matters... right?

Not when this phrase is part of an exchange between two passive aggressive nice girls.

Girl A's birthday is today.
Girl B isn't TOO close with her but feels obligated to get her a present since they've hung out on more than one occasion. Plus, she's been invited to the birthday party, but can't make it... because she doesn't want to. She goes to Target and puts a small package together: a couple of brand name chocolates, some gummies, one of those cute hand sanitizers with those cartoon germs drawn on it, and two bottles of nail polish in complementing colors. It's not much, but it's wrapped nicely in a gold-polka-dot gift bag with matching tissue paper. Total cost: around the same as, if not a bit more than, the amount Girl A spent during Girl B's birthday dinner.

Girl A, upon receiving the present: "Awwwww! You shouldn't have!"
Girl B: "Oh! It's really not much! I don't even know if you'll like it."
Girl A then opens her present: "Aw, it's the thought that counts."

... beezy hates her gift!

Now, for those of you who aren't well-versed in passive aggressive nice girl language (so... my 2 male readers), you may be thinking, "How did you jump to that conclusion?" This could seem like an appropriate response, perhaps even a kind-hearted one.
NOPE.
In this world, even if you hate a gift, it's a gift. Say you love it, or at least muster a "awwww, I like it!" If you're willing to break this unspoken rule, you might as well cringe noticeably and ask, "Wtf is this?"

So, you wanna know, "When IS it appropriate to use this phrase?"

Girl B and Girl C are buying presents for Girl A.
Girl C has no idea what to get her and resorts to a gift card.
Girl C may complain, "I have no idea what to get her! She's probably going to hate my gift."
Girl B can then say, "No she won't. Plus, it's the thought that counts."
(If Girl B then adds a small white lie about how her present is also whatever, even better.)

I miss my friends of 12 years and our (relatively) straightforward interactions:
Birthday presents? We use elfster. Stick to the list and there will be no complaints.
Birthday celebrations? Dinner at a nice restaurant. Everyone pays for his/her own meal.
Can't make dinner? You better have a good excuse and post it on the group wall.
<3 <3