Write an article based on this "List the pros and cons of each gift. Think about what is most important to you. Think ahead. Keep people's budget in mind. Let someone else decide for you. Think about what you want over what is expected of you."
If you can't decide between a few items, make a pro and con list. Write down the good things and the bad things about each item on your list. Choose the item that has the most advantages and the fewest disadvantages. For example, a jacket may not be very exciting, but you could wear it with many different outfits; it may also keep you warm in the wintertime. It might be school, a job, sports, or something else entirely. If playing sports are the most important thing for you, new equipment might be more useful than that new video game—which you may not have the time to play between practices. Sometimes, what you want right now may not be what you will want (or use) later on down the road. If you can't decide between a few items, try to imagine your life without each of those items a few months later. Choose the item that you will continue to use, or still be interested in, over those whose novelty will fade. You can also try imagining what it would be like not to get one of these gifts. Choose the one you'd be most upset over not getting. Not everyone might be able to spend a lot of money on a gift. If you want something very expensive, try asking the person for a budget before posting your wish list. If you ask for something that the person is unable to afford, he or she might feel embarrassed. Here are some other options:  If you are too shy to ask for a budget, put a few expensive and inexpensive things on your wish list. This will let people buy what is within their budget. Ask for a group gift. This will allow everyone in your family or circle of friends to chip in when the time comes to buy that expensive gift. Ask for a gift that doubles up for another occasion. For example, if your birthday is in the winter, you could ask for a gift that is both a birthday and Christmas present Offer to pay for part of it yourself. The combination of your money and theirs may allow you to get something expensive that you really want. If you cannot decide between two or three things, ask someone else to choose for you. Give that person the list, and tell him or her to choose one item from that list. Some people may even prefer being able to choose a gift for you. If you try to meet other people's expectations, you will end up getting stressed. You may also end up not getting something that you really wanted. If the trip to the beach is what would really make you happy, let your family know. You do not have to choose an expensive gift for your birthday, just because all your friends do on theirs.