Vosotros quisisteis comprar flores a Manuela

Question

Vosotros quisisteis comprar flores a Manuela.

Hi! In the above sentence, if the flowers were a present, would they buy them "para" instead of "a" Manuela? Just wondering if I'm correct that the "a" makes it more like a service than a present.

Answer

Hola Gabor
I don't think there is a difference -I would say they mean the same. 
The other thing that comes to my mind is that you would use"para" instead of "a" to make absolutely clear that you are buying something for someone (that someone receives it); because comprar algo a alguien could also mean that you buy something "from/off" someone:

Compré unos pasteles a Rosa.
I bought some cake for Rosa or I bought some cakes from Rosa (maybe Rosa sells cakes)

In this case, to make sure you mean for her, not from her, we'd use "para Rosa".
Saludos
Inma

Answer

Good to know, thank you Inma!