List or go on your own?

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 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.

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 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!

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.

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 will not ask what my friend would like to be given. But I will observe in daily what they like or what they lack of.

Therefore when I am going to send them a gift on their birthday or some in occasion, I know what I am going to give them which they like or useful.

Try to observe others more and underdstand them more.

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=)