My husband got me started when I first said I wanted to knit- he bought me a gift certificate to the LYS, a book on knitting socks and a set of DPN's. Little did he know what he was creating............................. 8-)
I keep a "wish list' on me all year long and just add to it whenever I see something I like but I'm not ready to buy it. That way whenever someone asks my DH for ideas he just asks for the list. He does the same except his consists more of tools and XBox games.
This actually works well for me because I've tried to get a complete set of bamboo DPNs and other types of needles. They make great stocking stuffers!