Shopping

I am married to an incredible man... and an incredible geek.
With the impending approach of our anniversary in less than a week, I am again having my gift panic attacks. In the past, I have tried to stick by the general rules of what Kevin likes- that is to say- anything with a plug that has lights on the front that blink is a good gift. At least it used to be. So often in the past few years I have gotten the "I love you for trying" look when he opens his gift. Consequently, I have found myself standing in the return line the next day.
I could go with the old stand by and get him clothes- but he HATES that. I may not have to return the shirts or pants, but I get the disappointed look that one usually only sees on the face of children Christmas morning when they don't get that sling shot they asked for.

Two years ago, we had been talking about a new game system, and the subject bounced back and forth between PS2 and Xbox. When I felt secure in his desire for a PS2, I went and got one. I wrapped it. I put a pretty bow on it. I was proud of myself... He wanted an Xbox.
Yes, I did. I returned it, and got the Xbox kit. The complete set that included a controller.
I presented it to my beloved- Happy Birthday, take two. Although my pride was dampened, I did get him what he wanted, and ultimately saved face....or so I thought.
Another dismal failure, as I had to return that one too- getting the set with the big controller and no game instead of the one with the s-type controller and a driving game. Of course, they were the same price, and I had failed to notice this. Yep, I returned that one too.
What one must realize is, by the end of all this, I was completely flustered, and the idea of gift giving was a nuisance and a big fat pain in my ass... all the joy in it was gone.
His last birthday, I got him a die-sublimation printer. Returned it, as it did not print anything bigger than a 4x6. Last Christmas, bought a new stereo with lots of fun features for the car. Returned that too- it was missing a certain type of wire harness. I got instead a season of Seinfeld (stupid ass show that he likes). I returned that too. It's really beyond funny at this point.
Add to all this the strain of trying to find that perfect something or other at the local AAFES Power Zone. It's beyond the needle in the haystack- it is trying to find something that may or may not exsist. Like looking for microbes with a magnifying glass.
So often I go in there for one specific thing, and end up settling for something else. When it comes to bestowing gifts on the husband, "settling" gets me another trip to the customer service desk, receipt in hand, and tail tucked so far between my legs that it tickles my nose.
I was thinking a flat screen monitor for our anniversary, maybe a new hard drive... but I am as gun shy as a Kennedy... and with good cause. Maybe I should just write him a check. It may prove easier and less stressful in the end, even though it would cause me great heartache to not give him something personal. Apparently I suck at personal.