My in laws organize presents for the kids without consulting us. I love it. I'm always like "wow that is an awesome gift!" My mum, on the other hand, rings me and says "what do the kids want for Christmas?" This year I told mum a new kitchen for DD, she then emailed me a whole lot of links and said "which one?"
In one way it's great because I can tell her something big instead of heaps of little crummy presents, but I hate the knowing.
DH is sometimes really good, sometimes useless. He has asked me about forty five thousand times what I want for Christmas and each time I've told him the same things but he keeps forgetting. List on the fridge might be a good idea...
But then he went and secretly had a stunning ruby necklace made for me by our jeweler friend for our anniversary and completely rolled me, I thought we weren't doing present and was completely floored! I told him to enjoy it as it was the only time he'd get one over me
I think it depends on the occassion. For my birthday, I do like a surprise from DH and the kids. For xmas, my family only do a KK for the adults and then presents for the kids and we usually give ideas of what to get them. Otherwise, there's a lot of doubling up. Whereas, my DH's family - it has to be a SURPRISE. Always. To the point where you get crap that you don't need or want, every year. When pregnant with DS2, I asked DH's family if they could put in together and get us another change table and that went down like a lead balloon. B/C You're not meant to EVER ask for anything. It's meant to be a surprise. But guess what, we knew we were having another boy, had heaps of clothes and stuffed toys and I thought, I really need another change table and not more plastic, noisy crap. They bought one, but not before 20 questions about why we needed one and that I could pass this on to his sisters when they had kids. Yeah, no strings attached to that present! So, yes, a surprise can be nice, but a practical present (when requested) can be even more appreciated, especially when money is really tight.
My DH- and it drives me insane!!, he buys anything he wants anyway so theres nothing to get him, but insists on receiving surprise bday and xmas presents- Impossible!!
Yep, I don't like knowing what I'm getting for Christmas either. I take it one step further and refuse to give vouchers or money for Christmas gifts ... I like giving people a (useful) surprise too.
Strangely, this doesn't apply for me when it's my birthday ... then, I'm ok with knowing what I'm getting.
I hate knowing also, but then i will snoop around until i find out then feel really bad and hate the fact that i found out and that i know what i am getting LOL go figure that one out hahahahaha
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