What should I get my wife for Christmas

Jewelry was not well received?

You should know by now whether or not she likes jewlery.

If you don't know what your wife likes, how the hell are we suppose to know?

I think it was the KIND of jewelry...really I think stuff like that is a matter of taste, and I wound up going out on a limb and getting something I wasn't sure if she had seen before, so that was my mistake.

Anyway, I guess a better question would be what stuff is "in" right now...ie, what are other guys getting their wives, rather than what should I get mine. Better phrased?

I'm getting power tools. Seriously -

Has she not dropped hints? I learned a long time ago to write down what I wanted and where to find them - a nice little laundry list. My husband usually gets a few off of it and then one surprise item....one year it was my Ipod Nano, another year, it was a Bose docking station to go with it, another year it was cordless ear phones - there was a theme (electronics) but all were welcome!

What about....a nice hand bag....http://www.fashiontreasures.com/tote_bags_handbags_purses.htm

How about a new ironing board?

that would go over like a pregnant pole vaulter.

You could get her a watch, but that would really be a waste . . . after all, there's a clock on the stove . . .

I am pretty sure an ironing board and the reference to the clock on the stove will get you a night on the couch....but who knows? Everybody is different.

A deep fat fryer.

It has been suggested that a pair of socks knitted out of used tea-bags is usable, inexpensive and eco-friendly and thus what a correct politically correct set of principles should be aiming at in these difficult times.

You could be right, mismi.

This is laser politics. It goes where politicians dare not venture.

How about a new set of golf clubs? Maybe a power drill?

anywhere inside the house would be generous

lol. I like Mismi's idea, most women like handbags. I know what you mean, though, trying to get my wife to drop hints is occasionally like pulling teeth. Luckily she's been going through a few different phases lately, so I have some obvious choices (that she has more or less ordered I procure).

I may get her tickets to see "Wicked," when it's in our area. Don't know if your lady friend likes musicals, tho.

Or there's a Perricone set she's been eyeing that is now on sale... http://www.perriconemd.com/index.cfm?action=shop.viewproduct&product_id=1157 She's been in a moisturizer mood lately, tho.

And I actually think household stuff can be a good gift, if she's into it. My wife has been clamoring for a Kitchenaid mixer... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R609 But then we both do a lot of baking -- pies and muffins and stuff.

Any of this help? When in doubt, give cash...

I was really wanting a food processor-mixer for years and got one for Christmas one year and I was over the moon... however, years earlier I got a cookie jar with cookie cutters and was not impressed.

Dept store or boutiques certificates, spa certificates, depends on what she's into. You have to think about what she really likes and go from there.

We also give coupons - 12 per year - they're favours that when presented must be redeemed, no ifs, ands or buts. Like: going to a movie, making breakfast in bed, whatever she wants you to do even if you don't like doing it (like dancing, shaving, etc). Over the years ours have gotten funnier, ie. "This coupon entitles you to be right once in 2009"...

Kitchenaid mixer, for sure.

You don't know what color she wants.

Give her a card saying you'll go with her to the store and pay for it. Plus something charming between you two - a stone, a shell, a small poem, a big kiss.

(Memories of the too big dark green leather gloves....)

Go look in her closet and see what she wears (colour-wise, size-wise, and style-wise) - get her a gift cert to a lingerie shop, flowers once a month for a year, a fab bottle of wine, some perfume, really, the ideas are endless.

Books, of course!

I've just bought this one - and wopuld love to receive it myself:
http://www.amazon.com/Superior-Deceitful-Deceptive-Downright-Dangerous/dp/1567923372/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228872983&sr=1-3

Nope!! Gotta disagree with you, margo My ex used to buy me books that he liked but I had no interest in reading and it used to piss me off - i would have appreciated a gift cert to the bookstore instead.

Oh the Spa - that is a super idea Mame...a nice massage, a facial...oh la yes!