I love getting gifts! And unlike most of the posters here I can’t just buy whatever I want without worrying about the money. I’m much more willing to splurge on gifts for others than for myself and I love finding people things they will enjoy. I also love when people give me things I enjoy, often little luxuries that aren’t *necessary* but are nice — books, jewelry, food, clothes, yarn, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Even my husband who tries so hard misses the mark 90% of the time.

Adult gifts are silly.

Mostly agree with this. Sometimes my DH and I do get it right with each other, but we've also both messed it up MANY times. We have a standing agreement that anything can be returned or exchanged without hard feelings (though sometimes there might be a few hard feelings -- gifts are hard).

The one person I know how to shop for is my MIL. She only has sons and I'm her only DIL and she's gone her entire adult life with very few satisfying gifts. But I pay attention to the things of mine she compliments and I know what she most deeply wants (generally, something beautiful that she would feel guilty buying for herself, but not clothes) and am a good shopper for that sort of thing so I usually nail it with her. It also brings me pleasure to see her so happy with a gift. I think that's part of why I am good at it -- I really believe she deserves to feel seen and appreciated in the way a thoughtfully chosen gift can do for someone, and buy with that in mind.

Mostly people buy gifts out of obligation and I think that makes it very hard to shop for people. There's so much pressure and so many ways it can go wrong.

Rarely