https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:42:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents/page/2#post-1086209 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 16:20:25 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1086209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Same as Freckles - a little bit of both.&nbsp; I don't think it's a slippery slope.&nbsp; Sometimes someone knows exactly what to get, and sometimes they simply don't, and they feel pressured to 'deliver'.&nbsp; &nbsp; When I'm asked, I always say I would prefer a gift that is an experience to share, like dinner somewhere fun, or a show we will both enjoy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents/page/2#post-1086162 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 15:36:51 +0000 Freckles 1086162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>&nbsp;A little bit of both. &nbsp;Our son gave me some money this year to pick up something I really loved in Ireland so this month I will be receiving a really gorgeous necklace. &nbsp;Even if I buy my own gift dh always picks me up a bunch of little things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents/page/2#post-1085947 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 07:47:00 +0000 Deborah 1085947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Birthday and Christmas gifts I usually choose myself and tell DH and he and Master 10 make the purchase. Sometimes for Christmas I buy and wrap myself I really don't mind and DH appreciates that 'he' is getting me something I really love and want:) Mothers Day is different, I let Master 10 and DH choose as I think that is an important part of of the concept of the day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents/page/2#post-1085944 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 07:30:37 +0000 jamieyh 1085944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Usually, we pick up gifts and send to friends, so, i can get some gifts from my friends. Besides, i can get some from my families, also, i will send mine to them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents/page/2#post-1085622 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 00:31:18 +0000 carambola 1085622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My husband&nbsp;bought me a baby bottle sterilizer as my holiday gift the year our first child was born. He was so excited that I felt guilty for feeling disappointed. So, yes, I buy my own presents! Or tell him exactly what I want and let him do the legwork if it's concert tickets or something along those lines.&nbsp;Both of us are happier that way&nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents/page/2#post-1085528 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 22:54:57 +0000 rebekahphoto 1085528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My DH has pretty great gift skills, and I enjoy gift surprises! I sometimes will get my own, especially if there is something special I have in mind....(I did just buy a great shirt off Ebay he tried to get me last year)</p> <p>One year it was a fabulous pair of tall Fluevog lace up boots! I had given some hints, but he decided on his own to get the lace ups intead of the zip, since I had that style already.</p> <p>I also have a wonderful large turquoise pendant that was his choice and my favorite piece.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents/page/2#post-1085497 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 22:09:10 +0000 DonnaF 1085497@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DH is really good at picking out chocolates, not so good at flowers (I have allergies), and dreadful at clothes.&nbsp; I was pretty surprised several years ago that he'd picked out a couple of leather jackets for me at Nordstrom after he observed me repairing my jacket's badly shredded lining with seam tape.&nbsp; Of course they didn't fit, since I think he did the guy thing of telling the SA, "She's shorter/bigger/smaller than you."</p> <p>Today, UPS will be delivering a pair of silver studded fingerless gloves as well as gold studded ones.&nbsp; I wear fingerless gloves for health reasons, but I can't say that studded leather ones are actually NEEDS.&nbsp; They were on my Wish List, but then they went on sale so I became worried they would sell out.&nbsp; Guess I'll ask if he wants them to be his gift to me!</p> <p>I thought DD would be better at picking out stuff for me.&nbsp; She's bought me solid colored scarves, and I never wear solid scarves, and they are more her colors than mine.&nbsp; Oh, well.&nbsp; We both like a lot of other stuff together.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents/page/2#post-1085484 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:54:29 +0000 viva 1085484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In the past, no matter what hints I gave, my DH always snuck in something of his own choice and it was a total crapshoot, but he is such a nice guy it's always been fun. Very, very rarely he hit a home run (several years ago, Frye harness boots - I almost died); more typically it was something lovable but misguided (when we were first married, I got lipstick that he bought at CVS late on Christmas Eve -- his best friend bought his girlfriend the very same shade; and one year I mentioned I liked Rachel Ray, and I got her cookbooks for Mother's Day, my birthday, AND Christmas).<br />This year we've been together 24 years, and by now we've scaled way back even with our daughters. There are many fewer things under the tree, and we're both much more likely to ask for specific items so we don;t waste money and so we are more likely to satisfy each other's "dreams". We'll exchange 1 or 2 gifts, and I've been making a pinterest board of all sorts of things that I like, from big ticket to small, to give him ideas and so that I can be surprised but (I hope) not horrified. I hope he'll use the board but I know that I really have no control over the man. <br />My younger daughter and I laugh secretly about all of this, because we feel we have the gift-giving skill in the house. We know we come up with really great, special and meaningful gifts -- not expensive but just the right thing. My other daughter and DH...well, you just never know. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents/page/2#post-1085481 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:50:11 +0000 Anonymous 1085481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I give VERY specific "hints" - often in the form of email link to actual item and then hope he purchases! I also have been known to exchange liberally! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085475 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:46:13 +0000 unfrumped 1085475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm very lucky, as I get both! I&nbsp;pick out all &nbsp;"wardrobe" items because DH could not pick those out, and&nbsp;we never put much store into&nbsp;wrapping it up and calling it a present. But, DH is fantastic at identifying other great things, large and small, that he notices I might like or use.&nbsp;He hates store-shopping but is a wizard at Amazon!&nbsp;So a big aspect of his "presents" to me is that he does the research and picks the best product.</p> <p>Although we&nbsp; have not done this, I still think it can be great for couples to&nbsp;select special&nbsp;items that mark anniversaries, Christmas--even if the lady of the house actually picks out what she wants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085471 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:45:06 +0000 Jjsloane 1085471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I send a wishlist to my DH (with multiple options) ever since he bought me the electric wine opener for Christmas the same year his boss bought him the same thing. It's just easier than feeling guilty for not liking what he gets me. Everybody wins - he doesn't have to worry I won't like it and neither do I! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085409 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 20:59:26 +0000 Sona 1085409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I buy my own or send him&nbsp; detailed&nbsp; info and links: like this tunic from tory burch and here's a coupon code while you are at&nbsp;it&nbsp;and ask for it to be giftwrapped ( free) when you order. Otherwise I have ended up with coffee cups, an animal print snuggie and a remote car charger that broke down every 2 months. Enuf said.<br />Last year I sent myself a&nbsp; coach handbag from&nbsp;my siblings (in India) and some makeup from a secret admirer. Hubby did not bat an eyelid. how pathetic is it that he knows I absolutely love unwrapping gifts and just send pretend gifts to myself!?! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085316 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:59:07 +0000 Aquamarine 1085316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My husband will surprise me with electronics/new technology, which I am clueless about, or gift cards to my favorite stores. I do keep an Amazon Wish List updated during the year to give him ideas too, as well as remind me of books, etc. that I'd like to read. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085269 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:39:47 +0000 texstyle 1085269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We don't do gifts for Christmas - it just has never been our thing. We buy things when we want them throughout the year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085254 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:34:26 +0000 minimalist 1085254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>bf gives me practical things I hadn't thought of needing, just before I'm going to need them. Top-of-the-line noise-canceling earphones right before a trip with several long flights, for example, with just enough extra batteries. Neither of us are into the winter gifting holidays, and so far have spent them apart on respective family duty visits anyway. His birthday is coming up, and I'll cook a meal particular to his culture-of-origin; he knows I hate cooking, so triply appreciates the effort.</p> <p>Like Von, I've no qualms about purchasing and wrapping my own presents, if that's what it takes. XH used to give me things that *he* wanted. (18 years of that, what was I thinking?!) After I moved out, his lawyer sent mine a list of items he wanted back, claiming I'd given them to *him*. I boxed them up and sent them to his lawyer's home address, registered requiring lawyer's signature, which meant XH didn't have his stuff for a while. I like to think I've learned to let go a little better, since then. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085247 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:27:25 +0000 rachylou 1085247@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't, actually. I have this thing about gifts being freebies and taking what people have to give and not trying to get what I want or need in the form of gifts.</p> <p>Of course, heads will roll if the bf gets me post-its from Big Lots! as he suggested he might... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085246 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:27:22 +0000 Lisa 1085246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I often purchase and wrap my own gifts.&nbsp; Since I am already shopping for everyone else, it's just gotten tacked onto the to do list.&nbsp; At least I know I'll like what I get. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085239 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:22:29 +0000 E 1085239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm single, so no SO,&nbsp;but my mom is a very enthusiastic gift giver, so around this time of year I send her a giant list with all kinds of different&nbsp;things on it at all kinds of price points (and links), so that she can pick a few out and know that I'm going to be happy but still surprised (throughout the year, if I find something I like online, I save it to a 'shopping' bookmarks folder). She's also a wonderful gift giver who pays attention to hints and desires too, so she'll pick both off my list and her own non-list things because she's awesome like that. Anyway,&nbsp;the list&nbsp;works wonderfully and we both have fun&nbsp;and I really wish&nbsp;the rest of my family would do the same thing for me to help my gift giving out!&nbsp;Sounds like that's what MaryK did too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085206 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:00:21 +0000 Thistle 1085206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I will take him up on it! </p> <p>I love him dearly, but some things don't change. Andhis ability to select gifts someone (myself included) might actually want to receive is not great. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085127 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 18:00:41 +0000 Peri 1085127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Both my husband and I do this. We always have...and we consider it fun. The amount is set, so we just get to anticipate and then get what we want. Really, it is just as fun and takes the stress away.</p> <p>He does other nice surprises...flowers, or thoughtful things like filling up my car for me. For the big gifts I find it more fun to just buy what I want than make lists, or drop hints, or all the other nonsense.</p> <p>And we have been married 30 happy years, so no need to worry about slippery slope being a problem. More like a fun ride. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085123 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:57:30 +0000 Anonymous 1085123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DH might buy me a little something like a type of chocolate that I like.&nbsp; We usually pick out our own gifts or don't do gifts at all. Sometimes we pick something out together as "our" gift.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085117 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:52:19 +0000 Desmo April 1085117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To me that defeats the meaning of gifts. I'm perfectly capable of getting myself the things I want. In fact for clothes I'm better off because fit is essential. We tend to limit the actual gifts anyway. We get something big for us/the house (one year we did a dining table and another we did a plasma TV) and then do 50-100 for personal presents. That way we both get to open something. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085078 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:31:51 +0000 Susie 1085078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My DH is&nbsp;very good at gifts, especially when it comes to&nbsp;"big ticket" items. He has chosen some really beautiful jewelry over the&nbsp;years and one Christmas he totally&nbsp;surprised me with a reversible leather and mink vest that I love (and am wearing today!) And he does really well at remembering things that I've said I'd like to have, even when I wasn't really hinting!</p> <p>Since there isn't much jewelry that I "need" I do give him some specific ideas. This year I sent him links to rain boots and snow boots at Sorel. But he likes to give a number of things so I am guessing that there will be some surprises too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085044 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:02:32 +0000 Kimberley 1085044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am fortunate in that my DH loves to pick gifts for me himself - he invests a lot of time and energy and usually makes great choices.&nbsp; If he is in doubt, he will give me a "date" coupon which includes shopping for the specific item he wants to get for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085035 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:52:08 +0000 rute 1085035@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>eh eh I buy all the presents including mine!<br />My hubby is also an&nbsp;&nbsp;awful gift purchaser, he doesn't like to go shopping! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085026 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:49:40 +0000 MuseumGal 1085026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sometimes I'll send him a specific link, sometimes I'll just buy it myself, sometimes he even surprises me with something great, sometimes we'll go pick it out together.&nbsp; It used to really bug me, but now I'm just happy that he wants to spend money on me and try to be gracious about it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085020 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:45:15 +0000 MsMary 1085020@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The best Christmas Mr. K and I ever had was when I gave him a super detailed list including big things and little things and fun things and in between, including links for buying online, and he picked out a good number of them and wrapped them and put them under the tree.&nbsp; That felt like a good compromise between buying my own gifts and him having a little bit of skin in the game.</p> <p>I'd advise you to do whatever will put a smile on your face on Christmas morning.&nbsp; If it's buying your own gifts, then do that! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085017 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:43:15 +0000 ironkurtin 1085017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do it all the time. He's not big on gifts. I generally tell him what I want and wait for the gift certificate. &nbsp;This year I told him I want something I don't have to pack. Wondering what service I will get instead... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085016 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:42:34 +0000 AviaMariah 1085016@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle - I buy a lot of my own presents and it doesn't bother me one bit. &nbsp;For Christmas he buys them and wraps them but if I don't give him really clear instructions, I'm liable to end up with new tires. &nbsp;Seriously. &nbsp;So I'd much rather have what I want.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-buy-your-own-presents#post-1085008 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:37:42 +0000 Anonymous 1085008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ALL. THE. TIME. I usally come in with bags and announce " Don't buy me a (birthday/Christmas/Mothers Day) gift as&nbsp;I bought my own"</p> <p>I usually stuff my stocking too. I do feel sad sometimes but I guess it's better than returning things I don't like. I have cut out pictures, sent links but in the end, I prefer what I buy....and it is not just me, my mother picks out great gifts for me. Oh well, he has other talents LOL </p>