do you offer up ideas for your own present?

[headfairy]

without being asked first.. ie would you approach your mum and dad and say "if you're struggling to think what to buy me this Christmas, I would really like one of these"? or is that really cheeky?

No, only if asked. My ex-DPs brother (late 30s, unmarried) used to produce a list at this time of the year listing everything he wanted, including the store to buy it from, price, colour, size etc. This was handed to everyone he expected to buy him a gift and they were told to liaise with each other to prevent duplication. Used to get very upset if anyone went off piste. He used to buy everybody else really crap presents mainly to emphasise what a good idea a list was!

No, though I do make a very big point of pointing out things i like when I'm out with DP (though he has asked me to do this) we also, from about now, mention to each other little things, such as I'd like a cd, which I'd normally just buy for myself, but i've told him and he's mentioned a couple of DVD's. B

Yes. I have a huge family and we write down lots of ideas of things we'd like, including catalogue numbers if necessary. Works out really well and nobody gets a kazoo which I got my DB one year to his disgust

I always tell DH he is to get me a surprise as well.

strike out fail

Offer up ideas?

I go out and buy my presents and then give the receipts out for reimbursement.

Apparenly I am a nightmare to buy for so everyone is happier this way. And I don't get a fucking foot spa and a cunting soda stream for christmas. Winner.

Much better to have a list. If you KNOW someone is going to buy you something it is good if they have an idea. If it is a list with a few things on it you won't get them all so you have a surprise. My DP doesn't get this. He thinks I want everything on my list. I do, just not all at once and all from him.

When I openly ask DPs family what they'd like for Christmas/birthday they look at me as if I'm mad so I am forced to buy them something I think they might like or at least won't be offended by so it's always a bit rubbish.

If they ask, I offer up ideas. Hell Yeah.

Ever since my 40th, when I had an enormous party and got the most unbelievable bunch o shite you've ever seen. I was regifting for 2 years.

Oh yes I have a list. I give it to dh and passes on ideas to people when they ask.
A picture of the watch I want from dh has been stuck on our fridge since February.

Yes

I usually have my Amazon wish list pretty well stocked from October onwards DH directs relatives towards it if they ask him what I might like as I too am apprently very hard to buy for.

I usually have a list of some sort, but this year I want money towards a new digital SLR camera!

I supply a list to DH - it's his job to cascade it (if required) to the rest of the family.

My parents give us money.

But presents from DH and the boys... I show DS2 exactly what I want and where to find it and in which shop. Then he takes DH Xmas shopping

In my family we have always exchanged lists. It's a bit unimaginative and makes me feel a little sad that my parents can't choose a gift the other one likes, after 40 years of marriage, but it works for them.

DH's family, on the other hand, don't do lists as they think it's rude. As a result, everyone ends up with presents they despise. DH got a safari suit one year (he lived in Crewe FFS), a 'briefcase' the size of a suitcase (think old fashioned box type) another. Think the best they've done was a 10quid wilkinson voucher.

No.

When I had family still alive, I would give an indication if asked. DH and I by mutual agreement give each other a list of ideas and where to buy from. He likes it this way. We do point things out to each other in shops, but it's helpful to have the list as a reminder.

thanks for the replies everyone. Very interesting hearing what everyone does. My mum is always so generous I feel a bit mean suggesting what she should buy me, but she always buys beautiful cashmere jumpers which are really smart and I never get a chance to wear and are a pain to keep and clean (moths just LOVE cashmere). But even writing that makes me sound a completely spoilt brat. I feel really bad saying to her I'd like something a bit more practical.

I have a list for me and one for DS pinned up on the corkboard - throughout the year I write things or delete things from it - a wishlist if you will. If dp decides to look at it and get me anything off of it I am eternally grateful

PIL tend to give me money if I am in their good books for Christmas, I'm lucky if I get a card on my Birthday.

Headfairy - Suggest a lovely day trip shopping and lunch out and swoon over a nice something or other and suggest tactfully that you would love X and it would be special etc and say that although you love the jumpers this would be fab.

My DM gives me money for night in a hotel in Dec, so me and DH get a night away before Xmas and then PIL, give equal money so we can have a fantastic meal with drinks at said hotel!! We love it.

BD and Best friend, I give suggestions to, and receive back, but if someone is desperate for something or wants money to something I would gladly do that as well. :-)