Community Chat

[circles]

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...

[151949]

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. 

[Sooner]

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. 

[chrystaltree]

       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....

[ID2]

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. 

[Noel7]

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.

[Lipstickdiva]

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.   

[jaxs mom]

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@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!!

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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. 

[dex]

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.

[IamMrsG]

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.