Does your mate, or any family member, ask you what you'd like for Christmas?

Yes, most of my family do that, its friends who just give and hope they get it right.

Years ago some family members asked if there was anything particular I needed. But these days they don't ask, and I don't say. I've heard it said that I'm easy to get for because I like everything. ( not true but I do appreciate everything). My feeling is that if someone gives me a gift it should be a "gift" from them and not something I picked myself. Those who know me best know the type of person I am and what I like. To me, homemade is the best, if possible. Once my younger son ( he was in his 20's) took a great deal of effort and time into making me a beautiful bird feeder that resembled my barn.. He put some of the shingles on the roof that had come from my home that had been destroyed in a storm.That gift meant the world to me. Today it sits on my stone wall although it is battered. Once when he was a teenager he saved to buy me the most beautiful earrings. He picked them himself and it meant so much. I was really surprised.Personally I like a gift from someone else's heart and am always satisfied and grateful with whatever they have given me.Although I don't have a husband any longer I have heard some guys complain that" whatever they give her won't be right anyways!". Once someone made me a cabinet for all my cookbooks that was from old barn board wood. They worked for months on it and today I cherish it. I think Christmas has gotten far too commercialized and it loses something very special with today's emphasis /pressure on gifts. If it was me,I would probably treat myself to that bracelet at another time and just realize that hubby doesn't want to buy it as a gift himself for you..

In the past, we always tried to get something for the other that we thought would be enjoyed. Now, neither of us really want for anything, if we want and can afford we purchase. At Christmas time we wrap find a little something for each other to put under the tree. A gift is cool, but we're both more into observing the reason for the season, and being with family.

One of my daughters likes to surprise me and won't even tell any of us what she is getting the others. My other daughter always asks everyone to give her some ideas of things they would like. She is very giving and she and her husband buy for everyone in the family. But every year it's the same when it comes to me, and I get a kick out of it. I said I'd like a thumb ring, her: " I don't like the way they look", a gold chain bracelet, ...Her: " you don't want that." A book, and I gave her the title ...her: " oh that's not a good Christmas present, you can pick it up anytime." I said I'd like a black Duster..( it's a long jacket)....her: " oh mom, do you really want that?" She'll end up getting me something way more than I asked for, and everyone else, like she always does.

Edit: I bought myself a cute little gold bracelet on sale last week. The black duster is in the mail to me, I'll ask for the book again for my birthday in a couple of weeks. LOL

Constantly! and I keep saying 'Nothing'.

I am dreadful, I always say there is nothing I want, can't think of anything.

Partner once gave me £200 ( in the early days of our relationship) To spend on clothes.I came back and gave him the change which was, £200! I had seen a nice pair of trousers in M&S but they were £49! £49??? I couldn't possibly spend THAT much on an item of clothing. That was 9 years ago. He has given up trying to get me to buy clothes.

I would probably be every mans ' dream because I just cannot spend on clothes. My wardrobe is so old, I wouldn't look out of place on the Ark.

I have to admit, I'm a perpetraitor of this. I do this to my husband everytime. I'll ask him what he want for christmas or birthday then I choose something else, it's usualy in the neighborhood of what he wants. for example if he is asking for a laptop computer I gave him a portable dvd player. at least he is still getting something electronic. I do this because usually what he is asking for is more than I can spend with my budget. and what I give him as a gift is always something I know he will enjoy just as much. he loves movies and he can watch it anywhere at anytime without the kids seeing the bad movies or interrupting his movies.so the trade off was fair and he really enjoyed it. but I will keep his list and waith till one day he forget he asked for something on it and then it will be a big surprise when he finally get what he was asking for.

Well gift giving season is probably the same for alot of people, rushed at the last minute, giving NO thought to what a person really likes or wants, or even needs. I really don't give a hoot anymore, whatever comes in, is HO HUM by me! ha.

My daughter is about the only one who really HEARS what I say, and gets things I actually can use! WOW! LOLWY!

mum: there is a purse designer named Vera Bradley, she makes the quilted purses you see around, & she has a pattern that benefits breast cancer. it's black with pink elephants. they have all sorts fo bags & glasses cases & wallets & things. that might be a good idea. dad: how about something you can do together? did he used to like model boats or anything? or puzzles? bro: how about a magazine subscription? they're sometimes only like $20. & you'd know if he got it already. so you could find a new one or something. sister: how about give her some free babysitting coupons. or, take the kids to a play or a park or something & just get her something to relax, like you said, like a gift certificate to the bookstore & bubble bath. or a good smelling candle. so she can read her book while you watch the kids.

My husband asks. This year I told him, showed him in the catalog, and he says, "YOU can go ahead and order it, I'll pay for it."

Uh-- no.

So I changed my mind, and now I have a nice new kitchen stove, just in time to cook Christmas dinner. $525 more than the thing I wanted first. Merry Christmas!

And while I was at it, a nice new wooden tool box for my wire-wrapping and jewelry tools, that I picked out myself at the new Harbor Freight store here, for my birthday that I missed celebrating because of the ice storm. Happy Birthday!

Bet he figures it out for himself, next year.

It has come to my attention over the years that if relatives cannot enjoy 'your' gift too, then it is not worth the time for them to get it for you. It seems to me; I am not married; that my relatives when they ask what I want don't want to buy something for me unless they can use that 'gift' too. Probably why your husband doesn't like it. He can't get any satisfaction out of it like when you buy a new TV, it is for you both even if he says he bought it for you. He wants to be able to use it also. Just my take from past family experience.

No, that doesn't happen to me, as I ask people to not give me gifts (but to spend the money on the children, instead.) Since the big morning is not here yet, the surprise will reveal itself when the time comes (unless one wants to know, in advance, what one is getting.)