List or go on your own?

Most of my family is broke, so I usually just end up getting them gift cards or "safe" things that they can end up using - like fancy-shmancy shower kits, candles, or any other kind of cutesy household thing. I like getting gifts that are utilitarian. I can't be spontaneous too often. I like to at least know what they want and need, and put some creativity into it. Lately, though, I've just been buying gift cards - like to Target and Cub Foods and stuff like that just because I know they'll end up using it. Boring, maybe, but that's what I do! lol.

I am lucky to have a short list to buy for and a short list of people to buy for me... as it is everyone always asks me what I want and I always say the obvious and the things that I truly like... gift cards(to book stores or home improvement stores), candles, or if there is something small that I have come across that I would really like at the time... but unfortunately these people dont listen.... Not that I dont like what I get, but I never get the gift cards and very rarely do I get the candles.... I hope you get what you ask for this year!! Happy Mylotting!!

I ask whoever Im going to buy for for some ideas. I also gladly give ideas. I think that I would rather knowingly give someone something they have been wanting or need then to guess. Even if you know a person pretty well, things change and what their likes and dislikes can change. Or they could have a need for something.

I just buy things, I know they like to have or they're interested in, so there would be a surprise or an excitement for them to open. If I have enough money however, maybe I would ask them what would they want to have.

It depends on who I am buying for. For ones likes my husband and parents I have them make a list of a few things that they might want and then I choose a couple of things from that list that way I know that it is stuff that they like but still it can be a surprise. As for others I normally just go with what I know they like and buy something that has to do with their interest. As for gifts for myself I will just let people get me what they want..I am pretty simple and most anyone that would be buying me anything knows what I like so they usually end up getting me something within that. Happy mylotting =)

i go with asking them for some ideas... usually they say they dont know, and i'm left to fend for myself in thinking what i think they want.. which is so much harder. it would just be easier if everyone made a list through out the year of things they buy or things they want to buy but doesnt think they should spend their money on. it would be alot of time saved that way. lol for me and my hubby, i make a double sided list kept on the fridge all yur long, and tell him to write down things he wants, and i do the same that way we havw ideas for birthdays, anniverserys and xmas.

I have so many grandchildren, I have to write a list! Because here the last five years, I'm not able to work a full-time job, so I have to be fair and equal, and budget-minded, so every one will at least get something! Nowadays the economy puts a limit on a lot of spending!

My husband and I just got done making our together list of things we wanted, and then before that we had made a separate list of things we wanted. These lists we give to this mother. Now for his mom and dad we haven't asked for a list or made a list of things on our own, but we do know what we're going to his mom for Christmas already and I think we're decided on what we're going to get his dad. We've recently asked our two closest friends what they want, and we're most likely going to be getting his dad, our friends and my dad the same thing which is a gift card for Christmas.

I usually ask people what they want for christmas. Sometimes I buy something from their list and sometimes I buy something they don't expect. My mother always writes a list, but she actually prefers to receive something that she doesn't expect. She likes to get surpriced, and sometimes I buy her two presents: One from her list and one that I pick out for her. I often buy books or cds for my father. Sometimes my mother, my brother and I buy a present a big present for my father instead of 3 small presents.

I definitely need a list. I simply CANNOT improvise or I will get people the wrong thing, and they'll end up hating it. I definitely require lists when buying presents for others. And I like knowing what people actually need and want, rather than going on a whim. I'd rather spend my money in a utilitarian way - that spend it on something that they won't end up using!

Hi Jennlk I kinda do a little of both. The ones that I normally don't buy for I will ask little secret questions to find out what they like or want. They usually catch on real quick on what Im doing. Then most of the others I just kinda know what they would like and that is what I buy. Good thinking discussion. Have a nice week and keep smiling.

For me I don't specificially make a list of the things that I want, but rather people are able to read me very well and can come up with things that I need or want based on things that I say. I normally don't ask people for a list either and instead buy them things that I know that they will like based on their personalities. For example, my little sister has lost about 100 pounds in the past year and is very interested in everything that is fitness related. She is going to be getting a set of resistance bands and a small exercise ball for Christmas this year, neither of these things did she tell me that she wanted, but when I told my mother what I was getting her, they are both things that she does indeed want.

I tend to buy my own choices because i want everything in surprise but of course I will gather some idea on what they like without noticing it.

I usually go out and just buy things I know people will like. My niece and nephews ages 7 and 4 usually tell me everything they want. Young kids are so much fun this time of the year. I am not planning on giving my husband a list because I want to be plesantly surprised.

lately i have been asking people for their lists because i just dont have the time to be guessing. this way, if i know what they really want i can just go to the store and get it or something similar.

Most of the time I'll ask what they might like though that doesn't necessary mean they'll get it. I don't scour the stores to get just what they want but mostly pick out what I think they'd like. [b]~~I AM WHO I AM~~ **STANDING STRONG IN MY BELIEFS**[/b]

It depends on the people....some peole i ask for a list...like my daughter...and others i get whatever i think they would like like my husband because he wont make a list.....my sister in law i usually just get her something i think she will like but my mom is picky so i ask her what she wants....

I don't usually ask them what they want.. I tend to be very observant, and I remember things that they say like in a conversation, they absentmindedly said that they want this or that.. those things usually sticks in my mind, and usually that is what I buy for their Christmas gifts. I like seeing their reactions when they open the gift and see that it's something that they really want.

I never ask for lists, I tend to buy people what I think they will like. I have a husband who gives me his "I don't need anything or I don't want anything". I had decided that this year I am not going to give him a list either. I am going to have him guess what to give me. When I shop for other people I make a list and set a budget before we leave the house. I would love to be able to buy whatever I want without having to watch my pennies, but I know that is impossible.

It's not a offical public holiday for us chinese,christmas is a romantic and funny festival,we love it too.Every christmas,I would send my friends a pack of apple.give my parents a pair of shoes.Not a list,the same everyyear.