topic CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR! in Community Chat

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

Newgate — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:42:47 GMT

How do you feel about people on your Christmas Shopping list giving you a wish list of what they would like and then giving them what they like and want!! I know some people don't like doing that because they think gifts should be a surprise!! I just feel my money will not be wasted or my gifts returned if they don't like my choice!! Children have always asked Santa for exactly what they want!!

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

bri20 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:48:28 GMT

Not a fan.

If I have to tell somebody what I would like, I can just go by it myself.

I understand the theory behind it, but to me a gift is something I pick out for the person. There should be some element of surprise. LOL

I place no expectations on the recipient to keep my gift. They are perfectly free to return or exchange it.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

Goldengate8361 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:49:44 GMT

I think it's great when others share a wish list with you. Others in my family still (to this day) ask me for a wish list every year. Makes everybody happy.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

tansy — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:49:48 GMT

@Newgate wrote:
How do you feel about people on your Christmas Shopping list giving you a wish list of what they would like and then giving them what they like and want!! I know some people don't like doing that because they think gifts should be a surprise!! I just feel my money will not be wasted or my gifts returned if they don't like my choice!! Children have always asked Santa for exactly what they want!!

I enjoy giving gifts that someone actually wants and will use.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

Laura14 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:50:17 GMT

I don't mind as long as it is within my budget and not a nightmare to get. I understand kids want what they want.

I still like to pick my own gifts though. To me, the very fact that someone thought of you and spent their time and money to pick something they thought you might enjoy, is the real gift that is being given and should be appreciated no matter what.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

QVCkitty1 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:51:34 GMT

Since the gift is for them and not for me, I would appreciate knowing what they would like. That being said ,if I ask you what you want and you don't tell me, I'll just have to do my best.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

sunshine45 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:00:31 GMT

i like it......it gives me a great starting point.

my kids do it every year. one year my daughter even made her list into a powerpoint presentation with christmas music and christmas photos. lol.....very creative i must say.

i do give them a combination of items on their list AND items i have found especially for them. their lists are also good to pass along to their dad AND to my mom, brother, and sister

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

Bellabutterfly — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:04:50 GMT

I think giving the person something that they want (if it is within your spending limits) is fine.

Most teenagers these days the one's I know, neices and nephews, and my friends who have children. They "ALL" want "Gift Cards".

To be honest it can not be easier. For even if you have a limit, a gift card works. You just have to ask them, for what stores do they wish to have gift cards.

Believe it or not "Collage Students" want Starbucks, and Chipotle.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

Peaches McPhee — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:08:22 GMT

Has to do with what is acceptable in that circle of gift-givers. For example, this is the norm in my family. We all exchange gift lists. But, no one should give a list to anyone unless he is asked for it.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

CANDLEQUEEN — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:18:25 GMT

I don't mind lists, at least you know you will get them something that they really want. I always tell my daughters to put down things they normally would not buy for themselves, then it is more special.....I also think its a good idea if the person is really picky or has everything. There was a time in my family when we did not do lists and it worked out, because everyone knew each other so well.......

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

circles — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:19:25 GMT

I am all for lists...Shopping around trying to guess what they might like is a waste of my time....and a dissappointment for the person whom I am gifting...if they don't like my choices...

How much nicer to have an assortment of things the persons want and I can pick what I can afford ....(like a bridal registry...only its a christmas registry) they are happy and i don't have to stress...

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

151949 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:22:57 GMT

My DH & I go through a catalog or 2 and circle what we would like - include size & color etc. We try to make it in various cost ranges. Then we give each other the catalogs and we always choose from what has been marked. We always mark a lot of choices - I start early and really give him a large stack of catalogs to pick from, he doesn't give me as many. Then what I do is set a price and buy him as much as I can from his choices while not exceeding my budget. We still get enough of a surprize on Christmas daybut we are sure to have gotten something we like. My choices are usually clothes or purses - his can be almost anything. Did you ever try to wrap an electric weed whacker and battery pack - not easy.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

Sooner — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 22:56:57 GMT

If a gift has to be a "surprise" or "something they wouldn't have thought of" the gift is about the giver not the recipient. If the recipient doesn't like or want or can use the "surprise" they are out of luck. They have to gush over something they don't want and probably don't know what to do with.

Give people something they want, something that they will love and something that will make them happy. THAT'S what a gift is all about. It's about someone you love (or like, or have to buy a gift for) being happy. That's a gift!!!! No matter if it is cash, a gift card, or a desired object. It's about love and sacrifice--giving a gift.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

chrystaltree — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:40:29 GMT

Even when my kids were very young, we had them make out lists of things they wanted. Santa gave them some, we gave them some and when the grands or uncles asked what to buy them, I had their lists. It's the only way to Christmas shop if you want to ensure that there won't be a disappointed face or gift that never gets used. Now that the girls are adults, I just have them (and their husbands) for a list of 6 things they want and I choose from that list. I do the same with hubby and my sisters. I want people to love the gifts I give them. There is still the element of surprise because they don't exactly what I am giving them until they open the gift. There's nothing worse than getting a gift you hate and then you have to fake that you like it and pretend that you use it....

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

ID2 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:44:50 GMT

Oh I only buy for what people ask for! It drives me crazy when I hear that some shop all year long, picking up junk to give their loved ones at Christmas. Then they boast that they're all done shopping way before the holidays, when all they have bought was only what you liked not what they liked. I wait for everyone to give me a list, then I go about my shopping.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

Noel7 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 19:00:46 GMT

It's not always as much fun but it's better than giving them a gift that bombs or makes them think they wish it was something else that they really wanted.

After decades of marriage, I ask DH to do a wish list because I've run out of ideas, and what he wants are always tech things I never even knew existed.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 19:41:30 GMT

I don't have a problem with it. GenerallyI know the people I am buying for well enough to pick things out. But if there are things they specifically want or need, I have no problem with them telling me that.

If I ask my sister and she says "clothes" I can get her clothes. She would never tell me exactly what clothes she wants from what stores. My SIL will also mentions things she'd like to have. I make sure to get those things for her along with other surprises.

My SIL will ask me what I want and I give her a list and then she picks from the list as well as giving that list to others who we also exchange gifts with.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

jaxs mom — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 19:41:20 GMT

@Newgate wrote:
How do you feel about people on your Christmas Shopping list giving you a wish list of what they would like and then giving them what they like and want!! I know some people don't like doing that because they think gifts should be a surprise!! I just feel my money will not be wasted or my gifts returned if they don't like my choice!! Children have always asked Santa for exactly what they want!!

I prefer to give people what they want. I love it when I get a wishlist. In fact I ask for wishlists.

I grew up in a house with parents that preferred to give you what they think you should have instead of what you wanted. It wasn't enjoyable. And frankly a lot of the time, those gifts are just a waste of money because they go unused or tossed.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

dex — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 19:42:41 GMT

I really like what Noel said on thi topic.I always feel good about giving a gift that the recipient loves.If they ask for a wallet I might purchase one more expensive than they could afford or would spend and that makes the gift a surprise.

Re: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR WHAT IS ASKED FOR!

IamMrsG — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 19:54:33 GMT

I don't see any difference between online Wish Lists, Gift Registries or a handwritten list. I have family members from whom I request specific lists, down to colors and sizes, if necessary. Besides knowing the recipient will enjoy the gift, it lightens my load considerably -- which is a gift to me.