Top Ten Categories for Gift Lists

This may just be a blatant shout to my family to check my wish lists for gifts they might like to consider buying me, but I think it could help others as well. 

I don't know how it will help others, so don't ask. Really, I'm just thinking ahead for myself right now.

Now that Christmas is over, it's still fresh in your mind what you really wanted. So get it on a list before your birthday comes! If you separate it all into categories, you have given the giver the gift of choosing exactly what he'd like to say to you.

Here's how I sort my Christmas (any any other gift-giving time) lists:

1. Default list- 
See? I'm pretty serious about this. If you see anything you want, get it on a list while you're thinking of it. Later, you need to sort through this list and put everything into the appropriate categories below. It also gives you a little time to decide how much you really want it. You may wind up changing your mind and taking it off the list altogether.

What something from this gift list says about the giver: "I'm in a hurry and picked the first thing I saw without looking."


2. Things I Want- 
This is the list everyone either already has, or should have. If it is the only one you ever make, you're fine. Just make sure you add a variety to it in a wide price range and EVERYONE knows about it.

What this gift says: "You have trained me well."


3. Things I Need- 
I have actually made this a private list, so no one actually buys me a gift of granola bars. No one wants that. Well, I do, but not for Christmas. Sometimes you bought something that really worked, or you really liked. It's a good idea to put it on this list for the next time, so you don't forget what it was.

What this gift says: "I hacked into your account and wanted to make life easier for you before you changed your password again."


4. Things That Make Me Feel Better About Myself - 
I'm talking about exercise equipment, "learn new words" or self-improvement kind of books, or anything that has to do with changing hair color or eliminating wrinkles. Be careful shopping from this list for gifts for others. It is best to have this list for yourself. You may want to make a note of that somewhere unless you have a really thick skin. 

What this gift says: "I'm glad you know you're not perfect. Here. Let me help you with that."


5. Pretty Things - 
This list will contain often expensive things like jewelry and pretty clothes. But this is the main list from which we want our husbands to shop, so make sure the items aren't wildly out of the price range.

What this gift says: "I, too, am dreaming that you will stay young forever."


6. Book List - 
Because books deserve their own list. If you put them on a regular list, it could take over and get pretty long.

What this gift says: "You're smart, and I'm not intimidated by that." Or 
"I'm your mother."


7. Things That Are Too Expensive to Buy, But I Don't Want to Forget That I Liked It
Don't expect to ever receive anything from this list, but it is fun to share your dreams with others. Someday I would love to have a house at the shore, and when I do, I don't want to stand in front of the home decorator staring blankly because I never thought of what kind of furniture I want to put in it.

What this gift says: "I have saved up enough money to convince you I am obsessed with you. If you don't run, be ready to suffocate." Or 
"We're married and I have a really good job. Now, don't yell at me when I buy a new TV."


8. Saw It On Pinterest- 
Most of my lists are on Amazon, but there are some things you can't get on Amazon. Things from Pinterest are often crafty or hard to find. I will probably not make a lot of the things I see on Pinterest, so it would be a great gesture for a friend to make it for me.

What this gift says: "I follow you on Pinterest and we have the same taste!" or
"I follow you everywhere. Beware."


9. Things Other People Want Me to Have and I'm Okay With- 
You might need to give this one a code name, like "Things To Make Me a Better Person". On my list are things like cycling clothes, books about how to write, and my favorite kinds of candy. Because my husband wants me to keep riding my bike, and my kids want me to have candy that I will share with them.

What this gift says: "I'm going to give you what I darn well feel like giving you, but at least I checked first."


10. Gift Card List- 
This is a list of places where I would like to spend money. Most of my family has gotten to this point. We don't care about being creative anymore. But we do want the recipient to be happy. We know our exact desires might change, but mostly our taste stays the same. And we don't mind shopping for ourselves.

What this gift says: "I love you and want you to be happy. Go have fun."

Now, watch and see as all your presents become something you want. You and the gift-giver will live happily ever after. The end.

PS- Friends of mine can look my name up on Wish Lists on Amazon and feel free to shop from there.

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