It would be brilliant if we could find more middle ground where we are able to keep the creativity of childhood and also develop social abilities. What I think might be useful is by having more opportunity to discover our talents earlier whilst being encouraged and perhaps aided with some tools to self-discovery. If we can understand ourselves better, we might also better understand others which means we are more likely not going to buy them presents they might not need or want and, we are less likely to take offence when they say they don't like it :D
What I find is that often we don't buy the presents for them anyway, we buy them something that we want them to have.
Absolutely agree! Most of the time we give or gift to others what we would like to have. Surely we do it with the best intentions, but the problem is that we never learn to listen and really get to know the other person. Also, as you well said, when it comes to children we forget that at the same time we are depriving them of knowing their true potentials and passions. For my part, I try to do a thorough investigation to try to guess my gift and that it is a surprise for him. I know he will tell me that he likes it and will thank me as we all have made him do. But if his face reflects the opposite, I always give him the option of going to exchange it for something that he likes more. Then his little eyes begin to shine and the most surprising thing is that, almost always, what he wants is cheaper and less sophisticated. It's a shame because in a few years he will surely learn to put on a good face and say: No, I should love it! As most of us adults do.
Even though it isn't always possible, I actually like taking them shopping for a gift and then make a bit of an experience and have some fun with it. It works better for me as I am terrible at keeping surprises :)