I don't think you ever "need" to bring a gift, but it's not always bad idea, as you might feel a tad embarrassed if everybody else invited bring gifts or if your neighbour has a gift for you. With that said, a very safe gift includes wine or homemade Christmas cookies.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.