Shopping for presents - how much thought do you put in it??

I seldom buy things for acquintances, I only do it for good friends and family. Indeed, I give a lot of thought in buying gifts for them and sometimes I start thinking about it a few months in advance, listening to them to see if they have special needs or try to think of some "useful" surprises for them. I admit this is really fun at the same time it's stressing me out, I want to do the best and often I give myself a great deal of pressure in the process *laughs*. But I think my effort is worthed it everytime when I see some happy smiley faces opening up my presents.

I try top get something that the person will really enjoy... something with a personal touch as well.

I couldn't agree more with you,.. i love shopping (sometimes shopping is a sort of antidepressant agent,too) but I am in love with buying presents..and there are two things I like about presents...I like the time spent in finding the most suitable thing for a person ..I like the thinking, the windowshopping and then...then I like the very moment in which he or she opens the present and her/his eyes shine with happiness because it was exactly what he/she was looking for or what he/she liked or a particular thing we talked together about...I like this loving scenery behind a present..and this is the reason why I am always happy when I receive a gift..even though I don't like it..because I imagine him or her doing the same as me when buying a present and then...then I am so moved by the affection that lies behind any little present that i can hardly avoid bursting into tears!!!

I, like you, gain alot of personal pleasure from giving a gift that the receiver really wants...I have been known to travel several miles or to order something online to ensure that they receive what they want.... I love Christmas, it is my favorite holiday and I spend alot of time and energy in ensuring that this holiday is special for my entire family....I try to start early in the year and watch for sales and hide things so that I can afford the presents that my grown children, young son, and grandchildren get what they wish for the most...I think that planning is so important in regards to these major holidays... Even if the person is not someone that I know very well...if the occassion calls for me to purchase them a present....I still put alot of time and thought into the gift that I get them....