I asked a guy I'm close to for gift suggestions. He said he'd encourage me not to bother and would be happier if I bought myself something that made me happy. He spends a lot of time alone on holidays and doesn't get too enthused by them. He also has a tendency to not want to be a "bother" to those around him.
I'm wondering if he is just saying this because he genuinely doesn't want anything or because its just something people say when asked.