Is this a helpful answer or a bit cheeky with regard to br asked what you would like for Christmas

[Daisydurrbridge]

If you ask someone what they wanted for Christmas and they replied absolutely anything from, and then gave you a list of suppliers. Cheeky or helpful?

These people always buy gifts on-line and the suppliers have a huge range of gifts starting at £10.

Helpful

Doesn't seem an issue to me if they were asked! What else would you prefer? If everything was over £100 then I'd take issue with it!

If the suppliers have a huge range of stuff then it's not terribly helpful. A gift card to the supplier may be the way to go.

Yes, that would be good, unless it’s something like ‘anything from Chanel’

I could answer “anything from Oliver Bonas” and would delighted with genuinely anything - a pair of socks, a Christmas decoration, some nice glasses, a card game, a makeup bag, a dress, or some jewellery.

I see no issue with it if it’s a retailer with a range of prices! It gives a clue to the kind of bits the receiver would love to receive.

Also - why ask if you don’t want an answer? They know you’re getting them something as you’ve asked, so it’s an easy way to point you in the direction of things to their taste while letting you pick the budget.

If there is a big range of gifts and some are reasonably priced this is helpful

Helpful, but not the answer I'd be expecting so I would be a bit surprised!

I love being given surprises, and also like choosing presents for people rather than just buying "the requested thing" so I actually really like it as an answer.

Helpful depending. As PP have said, if a particular brand it mentioned then fair enough. But if too broad a range then not d much. 'Something from Waterstones/Sephora' is better than 'John Lewis'.

This is really useful. The recipient only receives 3 Christmas presents. Wants something to open and likes a surprise. The shops are ethical small businesses making hand made soaps, diffusers, cleansers etc.

Generally speaking I have found that the older ones that I know seem to be happy to browse, but the younger ones want specifics. Time is the key factor here I guess

Is it you that's telling your family/friends this? If so I think it's helpful, as long as you emphasise that you genuinely would love anything at all that they might pick.

I totally get you, btw. I have certain shops where everything fits my likes and aesthetic tastes and I would genuinely love any little thing that I might get.

Not me but a family member on group chat. They thought they were being helpful, but was accused of being controlling.

Controlling? <eye roll> Seriously?

Sounds like someone has never run into really controlling behaviour.

God people are silly these days.

So they were asked for suggestions of gifts and then when they gave a perfectly good and reasonable suggestion they were accused of bring controlling??

I would opt out of gift exchange with the person, starting this year. Less drama, less hassle.

(by which I mean the person who made that ludicrous accusation)

I would never get them another gift, and I would never accept one from them either. Just don't need that kind of negativity in my life.

it is absolutely the best way to ensure that the recipient gets something they want and the gift giver doesn't waste their money.

The only time i think this kind of thing is wrong is when the answer is something like "a Porsche 911 in black".

Another issue was that I know someone who liked a very expensive designer store and her brother knew this . He bought her a £20 voucher for said store but like she said she'd have to add hundreds to it to get anything .
Message is choose somewhere with a variety of prices