So normally people like me get extremely happy if you say something like ‘nice shirt’, however it got me wondering about people who receive compliments and gifts all the time, what makes y’all happy? I presume it gets kinda annoying after some time?
Right, but that's my point - be the change you wish to see in the world.
The people you think of as popular who are complimenting people, maybe they're only popular because they make other people feel good by acknowledging them.
Be kind. Be encouraging. Be complimentary. There's no good reason not to be, really.