"Family christmas present" seems like it counts as "has recipient in mind." :)

Like spontaneous socialization attempts, asking for particular socks is scary, because either it involves asking about socks-already-in-progress, which likely do already have an intended recipient, or it involves creating a new to-do item for you. (Which I realize is something you want people to do sometimes, but it feels to me like an imposition.) Oh, the angst. :) :)