[ICrazyTeach]

Yes, I don't want anything to do with decorating yet, but I gotta start shopping before Thanksgiving or it won't get done.
I just commented to a friend the other day about how I was dreading shopping for DD 13. Last year was awful. All she wanted was an expensive phone (not happening). I could only buy so many bath bombs and face masks and I ended up taking her to an Ariana Grande concert I wasn't looking forward to trying to come up anything this year.
And then my teen-monster turned into a beautiful human being for a moment! She sent me a wish list and even made a detailed list on amazon. It's a long list with plenty of reasonable items. A mini Christmas miracle already!

Do you like to shop from a list? Or do you prefer to come up with your own ideas?


She has a few random items on her list. This one is cracking me up My girl loves junk food!

http://Cookies Chips & Candy Snacks ..._165WDbFAX93W7

[hand]

I like a list because there are things I would never think of on my own. But I also like to come up with some surprises. I enjoy getting fun things for their stockings even if they are all adults.

[amiga13]

I like a list of options like your DD provided so there’s some element of surprise but I know it’s something the person wants. I am way too frugal to guess and hope (though I do think that’s a really fun way to shop).

[maxwell]

I do try to find a little something for the stocking that's a surprise.

[1956BD]

A list makes it easier for me and then I am sure they are getting something they want. I sometimes find small items I think they will like and add those as well. Sometimes they fit in their stocking or might even be attached as a decoration on a gift package for them.

[Paddlegurl]

I've just decided this year that I prefer to be given a list as well. The last few years I've tried really hard to give interesting gifts that hadn't been specifically asked for. And those end up being the gifts still in the box 11 months later - I haven't really been hitting the mark, especially for my husband.

I decided to forgo creativity this year and just buy what he suggests he would like, even if means there are nothing but board games and clothes under the tree. We're on a tighter budget this year and I don't want to spend on something that won't get used. I'm trying to pick up on the things he mentions off hand that he would like so it's not all directly from a list.

My kids are still too little to make Christmas lists, so I don't know how I'll feel about it when they are a little older. Right now it's really easy to come up with ideas for them - I have to rein myself in. I like giving the grandparents a list to work from, especially when it comes to clothing needs and kinds of toys we want in the house.

I have been pondering this subject a lot in the middle of the night as I feed the baby!

[Jackie]

I love lists and it drives me crazy when people don’t have them! I make a wish list for my kid on Amazon that everyone in my family has access to. My Dh has one cousin who has two little kids that we buy Christmas presents for. No wish list for them and it’s so hard to figure out something to get them.

[Linda/OH]

Love lists! It guides my choices and spending. Like others, I may still add something else that I find, sometimes from a craft show or unusual place.

[Cat woman]

I love giving people presents.......as long as I know what they want. So, I appreciate a list! I do like to have surprises so I usually get at least some little thing not on the list.

[Sam5]

I ask my adult children for lists. I buy a few things from the lists and then a few smaller things that I just pick out.

[Lynnteach2]

I like lists too. My husband doesn't. He likes to think he knows what the adult children want, but their gifts sometimes are still in boxes the next year. He tries to buy unique gifts he likes (and would like to get) that he thinks they will too. It doesn't work that way. I like to get them something that they want and will use.

[SusanTeach]

A list makes it easier for me and then I am sure they are getting something they want. I sometimes find small items I think they will like and add those as well.

Same thoughts! Best of both worlds.

[MAsped]

I never have many people to shop for and this time around, it's even less...one gift for mother and one for SO....IF we even do that. We all know that SO and I are trying to save up for a big trip next summer.

I bought myself a new cell phone which I desperately needed since mine was 4-5 yrs old.

[Teddi9192]

I like a list. DS19 is horrible because his list last year consisted of socks. DS17 is horrible because his list so far this year is a new phone, a new hard top for his car, a letterman’s jacket, shoes, clothes etc, etc.

I marvel that they were raised by the same people in the same house.

[Sbkangas5]

I love getting lists! I like it even more when my kids send me the actual links. I do love finding little extras for them, but for the bigger stuff I want to get them something they actually want!