Do You Prefer To Know Or Do You Like Surprises?

Christmas_

I know I'm pandering to the more comercial side of Christmas, but I am wondering how people think about the presents they receive or what their families do.

Personally I hate knowing what people are buying me - I'd be happy without any - I just love looking at sites and finding perfect presents for people (or so I think...!) and hoping they enjoy them. The people I buy for on the whole I know inside out so I have some idea what they enjoy and I really hope I get it right...!

So- what do you think? On a personal note - do you prefer to tell people what you want and hope to receive it or do you prefer surprises?

On a giving note - do you prefer to buy from lists/what people tell you they want or would you rather buy them surprises?

Kazipoo

Surprises for them - know for me

I love to give rather than receive, and like you, I reckon I know people fairly well and can come up with some really fab presents. As far as receiving, I love surprises, but my OH is just rubbish at them.

There has been only one occasion that I had a nice surprise throughout our 17 years together, and that was around 12 years ago... I was working part-time in a supermarket, and the day was my birthday. I could hear a commotion around me and turned to see the biggest bouquet of flowers coming towards me, at first, I just awwwwwwed with everyone else, then when I realised they were for me I could have died on the spot. When I got home he had bought me an eternity ring in the style I would have chose. I was very impressed, although he hasn't managed to top that since!

Christmas_

Surprises

Kazipoo wrote: »

I could hear a commotion around me and turned to see the biggest bouquet of flowers coming towards me, at first, I just awwwwwwed with everyone else, then when I realised they were for me I could have died on the spot. When I got home he had bought me an eternity ring in the style I would have chose. I was very impressed, although he hasn't managed to top that since!

Awwww, I'm very jealous! Bless him!

Maria81

Depends who

I think it depends on who it is, my close family and friends know what i like and what i'd want. Family i don't see that often and friends might not know what i want, some ask but i usually don't say as i really don't like asking them for things, though i do swap lists with close family, and get whats on the list and other stuff as well so i never know everything.

kacy1988

I HATE suprises!!

if i know i'm getting something but i dont know what it is it niggles at me!! my other half has arranged a suprise for me for tomorrow. which if he hadnt told me it was coming i would probably have loved just to have a suprise turn up but because i've known for the last 3 days it's coming it's been driving me MENTAL. :mad: i hate it!

I love xmas shopping and chosing everyone elses presents! I love the look of suprise on their faces! I have known what i'm getting from my family almost every year. since i can remember me and my brother (usually forced into it by me) have hunted high and low for presents. every year i've found the stash!! now i'm older mum usually takes me shopping to choose a my present/s. this year she's given me some cash towards a new car which is most appreciated!! my other half usually takes me shopping for my presents, as he would rather get me something he knows i like than risk picking something on his own. but if he turned up at work with a bunch of flowers unexpectedly then that would be lovely!!

*Louise*

Surprises

I prefer surprises...but I rarely get them

OH never knows what to buy me so I have to drop 'hints' which spoils the element of surprise.

The only person I don't like surprise gifts from is my MIL, because she has no idea of my tastes at ALL...she mentioned going to Hobbycraft to buy me something, but I had visions of an awful, old fashioned style cross stitch appearing for me (which I would never do) so I politely mentioned gift vouchers...then I could use them in Jan (sneaky...moi?)

Also prefer to give gifts which people aren't expecting. I spend a lot of time thinking and researching things so would like to think they are well received.

jetty

Both

I clicked both as my OH doesn't have much faith in himself lol, he told me what he was going to get me (after i badgered him!!) because he said i had panned it, lol, i said it was too much money

Mrs_Ryan

Both

I like surprises but I know what my main pressie is from Mum (GHD's - I asked her for them ) and also the cooker she bought for me and OH (which we have) I also have pressie from OH! However, there are one or two presents I have done this year which were very painstaking to do (a pamper box for my best mate and a a pamper bag for my mum and sister) which I think the receipients will be surprised at.. cant wait to find out their reactions!

Yama_2

Both

I write a Christmas list for Santa and leave it lying about for DH. As long as he chooses from that then it's a surprise on Christmas day! He knows me well enough now that I'd rather have a good book than something sparkly, and he'll usually source a 1st ed or antiquarian ed (we collect) to heighten the surprise even though I'm happy with a second hand paperback! My MIL *always* comes up trumps with interesting presents - the kind of thing I'd never in a million years consider. Fabulous! I should have married her!

wendywitch

Surprises for them - know for me

Yama wrote: »

I write a Christmas list for Santa and leave it lying about for DH. As long as he chooses from that then it's a surprise on Christmas day! He knows me well enough now that I'd rather have a good book than something sparkly, and he'll usually source a 1st ed or antiquarian ed (we collect) to heighten the surprise even though I'm happy with a second hand paperback! My MIL *always* comes up trumps with interesting presents - the kind of thing I'd never in a million years consider. Fabulous! I should have married her!

I've done this list idea but it never seemed to work
I wish people would at least ask me what I like, people who are supposed to know me so well don't seem to have a clue!
I know this may sound ungrateful but if it's something I won't use isn't it just a waste of money??
Saying this most of my gifts to people are surprises and not meaning to sound big headed I always get praised for them
My mum always says "you always find such lovely presents" and I'd like to reply "that's cos I think of the person I'm buying for, find something that suits them THEN decided if I can afford to spend that much" unlike my mother who goes out with the aim to spend as little as possible so people end up with either things they won't use / don't like or are so cheap they are cr*p!! :mad:
Sorry rant over

Rebekah24

I really dont like surprises

I ask for what I would like.. really would rather have nothing that something I dont want/need....

everyear I get 101 boots sets..which I loathe.. really would rather my relatives saved their mooola!