Would you rather have someone tell you what they want as a gift or surprise them?

I've had quite a few long years of difficulty financially, so it's hampered a part of me that loves to give gifts. I feel insincere giving something unless I feel relatively sure it will be liked. When I am relatively well-off, I give a number of varying gifts because I can take the risk of some being liked, some not so much. When I can't afford to do that, I prefer to be told.