Do you refrain from buying things so you can get them as presents?

anne

My family, and to a far greater extent DH"s family are the types who will ring up my DH before Christmas to ask for present suggestion! So I try and keep a list of things that occur to me for me to say. Sometimes clothing related.

Do you do this too, and then not buy the item? For instance my slippers are worn out - but that would make a nice easy present for someone to buy, so I'll wait to see if I recieve any. My winter PJ's are torn and wearing out, but it occured to me this morning that my birthday in April is just before the Australian winter, so I'll just wait until after that.

Most other clothes I'd prefer to choose myself, but I'd be happy to recieve socks or patterned hose!

( I also have large pasta bowl and cooking thermometer on my list - the pasta bowl has been there a few years, so I haven't felt the need to go out and buy one!)

13 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from Nicole D

Raisin

Veteran

Yes sometimes. My house coat is falling apart so DH suggested it to my mom. And I always give DH my "subtle" gift hints around Christmas...hehe.

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

In terms of fashion things, never. I don't trust most others to shop for me, and I usually just ask for gift certificates or money if they ask me what I want. I am not a huge present person anyway.

I do sometimes ask for books or cooking stuff.

13 years ago

Atlantia

Veteran

Usually I do that for household stuff, but not fashion purchases. My grandma always sends me slipper socks, though. She's adorable!

13 years ago

saramir

Active Member

I buy for myself and give them to key people (husband, mom, sister) to give to me. (A bit of a control freak I am)

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I do. For clothes, I'll wait til I'm shopping with that person and show them exactly what will work for me. And my mom does the same with me. This year is the first year that I've bought something for someone else (my brother) to give me.

Between my BF's family and mine, we have 6 birthdays in the month surrounding Christmas, so this time of year gets a bit tight for us.

13 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

For some things, yes. DH and DS ask for a list and I'll sometimes ask for things like pajamas, socks, slippers, workout clothing, pro sports team shirts, and books. Not workwear or shoes, though. I don't think they would want to attempt anything like that anyway, they'd just say why don't you buy it yourself and wrap it up. My parents just send me a check, they got tired of me returning everything years ago.

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What Diana said. I have a nice long Amazon wish list for books, though.

13 years ago

Anonymous

My family is all over and we don't really exchange gifts and definitely not clothes, shoes or purses. Even DH says buy yourself X for Christmas and put it under the tree from me.

I think it is because we have kids so we feel the need to have something under the tree. I would never let the in-laws or my parents buy my clothes, EVER. Except pjs or socks.

13 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I do for specific items if I know someone wants to get me something in that price range. So I'll say "item X in size Y which I saw at store Q", or something like that. I'd be sure to specify color and size.

But this usually only applies to things like a sports team sweatshirt, pajamas, or things of that nature.

13 years ago

Nicole D

Veteran

I do what saramir does except don't bother giving them to people to give to me...just wrap them and put them under the tree. It is actually a treat to have to wait to open something bought a few weeks ago. Then again, I had two items which I never opened last year - makeup brushes and a bottle of Classique X perfume by JP Gaultier. Now I can regift or put under tree again. Maybe if I put them away for a few years I will forget what was in them and be actually surprised. Or maybe I just overshop!

13 years ago

Category