All of my Christmas shopping could've been done at the Seacrest Auctions-all of them!

The wife and I have a agreement, I buy what I want for christmas and she buys what she wants for christmas. When it comes in she wraps mine and I wrap hers and we don't get to see it until Christmas morning. In my case this year I have a mystery Box from Menards, yes basically I know what it is but not actually. And her I always find a little something for her, that she isn't expecting. She knows not to buy me trains or train related items as she never gets it right, and I know I don't buy her perfume or pocket books/purses. 

Oh no! Is there a world wide shortage!!!!!!!!! 

I had a conversation with a gentleman who had a great solution for making sure he got what he wanted for train related gifts.  He bought what he wanted whenever he saw it.  He would place the item in a closet, with the price clearly marked on the box.  When someone wanted to give him a train related gift, they simply went to the closet, chose an item and placed the money for it in an old coffee can that he placed in the closet.  He didn't know what he was getting, but he knew it was something he wanted.  The only downfall to this system is when his wife "borrowed" money from the can.

Tom

My wife and I have the most beautiful arrangement...never a need to get approval, she buys what she wants any time, and I do the same.  IMO that's what love is all about, never feeling dissed when putting the needs of your spouse first.  I just ordered four rides from CoasterDynamix and I know my wife will approve and probably even make her fun sound (the sound we both make when something delights or amuses us.)  If by any chance there's any friction, I have trains I can sell to offset the purchase, but "prolly" not.  Gosh I love her.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

   Socks nearly always fit, and it's hard to have too many

  Rolling stock, new or used, has the same advantage and is slightly more appealing.

  Further down the budget ladder, little figures.

Further down, small rocks to use as boulders

....I'm just that easy, and happy to get anything

After years of getting scenery items that conflicted with my layout motif and accessories/trains that were not wanted, my lovely wife and I came up with a system that's worked wonderfully. My train shop (ready to roll) allows me to fill a box with the things that I want about two to three months before Christmas. Then a few weeks before Christmas, my wife will go to the store, retrieve the box and even throw in a few of her own selected knick knacks.  She purchases the whole thing and gives it to me on Christmas. It works perfect and she's a real sport for doing it.  

I have given up letting anyone buy train stuff for me years ago.  I won't even entertain the thought.  When asked I always say "no train stuff".  Not to be ungrateful but I never get things I can use for the layout or is relevant to the trains I'm interested in.  Derek's book would be an exception because that's something that would be hard to mess up but alas I purchased that at York so... 

Bah Humbug!

I have given up letting anyone buy train stuff for me years ago.  I won't even entertain the thought.  When asked I always say "no train stuff". 

My situation is similar. It has been a long time since anybody gave me a train (or closely related) item as a gift. The things I like aren't items that you can walk into a store and purchase or buy on the internet.
Heck, it would even be difficult to find a tool or something for my shop.

(I already have Derek's book on Madison)

IMHO my wife is equally difficult to shop for.

It is amazing what men will do in a marriage. To model RRs the wrong things for your layout is the ugly tie or socks your wife bought. More than once at Xmas my wife surprised me by secretly buying an item I had admired while antiquing including trains. One Xmas she used her lunch hour to go out and get two Lionel houses I saw at an antique store. the best, though, is an old Ives electric engine, 1915, that I saw while we visited Philadelphia. She called the store and had it shipped to Pgh. I was amazed. Runs like a scalded cat, very special. Then there were  the years I was in the dog house and I got nothing !!  Nada !!  It hurt but I always bought something I wanted to compensate. Those years, I knew I wouldn't get a gift so I would get her something extra special.

I keep telling my family not to get me anything for Christmas, since I usually buy what I want for my layout. I would much rather get gifts for my 5 almost 6 year old son, instead having me get something. Though I think if people would ask if they can get me anything I will probably say gift card or gift certificate to get scenery products for my layout.

About 5 years ago we came to a different conclusion regarding our birthdays, Valentine's day, sweetest day, Christmas, anniversary, etc., etc., blah, blah....

Our city has a well-supported/funded institute for the arts, including an excellent theater for the performing arts.  Excellent musical groups, Broadway shows, seasonal events, dance troupes are scheduled through a show season lasting from early September to mid-May.  There are usually 6 or more events which are of strong interest to the both of us.

And, so, we 'give each other' season tickets to a selection of shows.  We sometimes include dinner (offered at special discounts by area restaurants on the night of the event).  Not for everyone, mind you.  Depends on what's available in your own area.  Works for us.  Mutual satisfaction.  Makes a great date night/afternoon!

No, not trains-related.  But since we're both in the hobby 24/7/360, we're 'gifting' each other and ourselves for the hobby throughout the year at a variety of venues......like York!

For us....'problem' solved.

KD

How's the new boxcar coming along Derek ?

I tell my kids and friends.....no gifts.....we have all we need. 

Wife and I buy a few smaller items to exchange. I know my gift this year as we went to a train show and saw the new Woodland trailer homes. She bought the one she liked and it will be my  Christmas present......we do the same for her.....it works well. 

it's hit or miss with me my wife is totally baffled when i tell her i'm searching for the cal stewart life savers cars, as am i when she tells me she wants a piece of virtual land. she did get me my MPC blue comet set, and a nice hershey vat car that she liked. so i'm not complaining.

Give a person a gift card that can be used anywhere..!

I'm really at the stage that I tell people I don't want stuff. I've convinced my family that we won't do Christmas gifts (only a small exchange during our birthdays), and to focus on the kids (and the grandparents). It's an arrangement that works for the most part. My wife will flat out tell me what she wants, and I'll go buy it. I change things up sometimes, but if I know it's something she likes (because she told me) I'd be silly to not go and grab it. 

Honestly, if I see something I like that works for one of my hobbies (golf and trains ... why don't I have a cheap hobby?) I figure out how to get it for myself.