<p>Yes he has! I have an excellent hint hearing DD that has been working on him for several years now! :-"
I do understand your frustration exactly however. Before the DD, he expected a “suggestions” list with colors, sizes, etc. my wonderful MIL did the same for her 2 DIL–with unique ideas for each of us! The “list” did not necessarily accelerate DH’s selection process but at least he was pointed in the right direction. </p>
<p>I think my H is addicted to his annual last minute trip to the local mall. Pure foolishness. He asks for a list and out of pity and exasperation, I give him one. I usually get everything on it. So…I have amassed all sorts of wonderful items over the years. But this is not meaningful to me. I don’t want to give a list and receive said items. I wouldn’t mind maybe one item off my list and then one that he thought of all by himself. I put so much thought into each gift and I suppose I would like my H to do the same.</p>
<p>As for decorating, grocery shopping and cleaning…if I wait until the last minute to accomplish these tasks, I am left with about 5 minutes prior to guests arriving to enjoy my annual decor and that would be depressing.</p>
<p>I can’t remember what department store that my dad shopped for mom…any OC Cali people help me? Dad would go to the store, he sat down and they gave him a drink. He then approved of the things they brought him. Was it Bullocks?</p>
<p>Fiance is done.
I haven’t started.
He’s good about shopping. I’m not. Sigh. </p>
<p>My father isn’t allowed to pick out presents for mom anymore. He lost that privilege when he bought her pink fuzzy pajamas one Christmas. My mom HATES pink and has for their entire 20+ year marriage. She throws what presents she wants in my cart and I vice versa and we pretend to be surprised on Christmas. Dad thinks we’re just REALLY good at picking out presents 
</p>
<p>ETA: For credit cards, we have a joint CC account. We’ve agreed to only check the CC after Christmas except to make sure we’re not near the limit. We have individual checking accounts and he just transfers me blocks of money and I pay the bills. </p>
<p>In my younger life I worked in jewelry from Cartier on Fifth Ave. to manager of a jewelry gallerie in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Canyon Road, and several in between. </p>
<p>Back then, and it probably has not changed, the stores made some of their biggest sales the days before Christmas. At that time, all that is left is the cheapest or most expensive items. Many, men mostly, do not want to get into trouble for being known as a cheapskate. So they have to buy the more expensive items. Chaching!</p>
<p>This probably goes for many other items as well. My H is usually a last minute shopper. In the past, when he asked me what I want, I told him what was left I did not want, so he better be prepared to spend a lot.</p>
<p>We got caught in a winter storm going to visit my parents one Christmas. It resulted in us arriving a day late in Florida and late at my parents in West Palm Beach on Christmas Eve. H immediately took off shopping after 10:00 and found only a drug store open. I got some unknown perfume that Christmas. Haha.</p>
<p>@GA2012MOM </p>
<p>could have been Bullocks. Was it in La Habra?</p>
<p>Morrismm, your hubby would have done better buying at the airport shops.</p>
<p>Shopping in Sante Fe is truly a delight.</p>
<p>Update- H told me today that he could not think of anything to buy for me so he wanted me to order 2 tickets to see Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett at Radio City in June! ( I had been talking about how I wanted to go).
Woo hoo!</p>
<p>FallGirl, that’s a great gift, and it is not going to clutter the cupboards, closets, or bathroom drawers!</p>
<p>H hasn’t and I find myself feeling sort of bummed. We went to Kohl’s Friday and bought me some boots and socks. Woo-hoo. I wrapped them, along with all the other presents, today. I’m thankful for everything, but I work so hard to make Christmas special for everyone. Would it kill him to go to a jewelry store and buy the first thing the clerk shows him? Or anything else? I even love practical gifts–things like ShopVacs, knife sharpeners, tools, etc.</p>
<p>^^^^syrstress…you are not alone. </p>
<p>Yes, he has started! Today!</p>
<p>I feel bad. My fiance wrapped all of my presents today and they’re sitting pretty under the tree… I am going to do last minute shopping on Tuesday and he’s going to get whatever is available. </p>
<p>The sad part is, he’d be genuinely happy to get socks and a wallet :/</p>
<p>He’s truly happy to have you in his life–the best gift of all! H and I aren’t much into gifts but are happy to spontaneously shop when we find things for ourselves or others we feel is appropriate. ;)</p>
<p>"The sad part is, he’d be genuinely happy to get socks and a wallet "</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with being happy about socks and a wallet! These are “little luxuries”! </p>
<p>Haha… trust me, as someone who LOVES fuzzy socks- I didn’t mean to belittle it. I more meant that he would be just as happy if I bought him socks at the corner store than if I put a month into thinking of a present. It’s just how he is. </p>
<p>I’m very grateful that the little things in life keep him happy 
</p>
<p>My H hasn’t done any shopping yet.
( he may after he realizes I threw out half his underwear. He usually does his own laundry, which is why they hadn’t made it to the rag pile yet)
He did change my oil.</p>
<p>Socks are a great Christmas gift. And you will be much happier with a partner that appreciates small pleasures than one who expects the latest gadget.</p>
<p>Well, H outdid himself this year. He didn’t get anyone anything at all.</p>
<p>My husband gave me a picture of what he thought I might want. We went shopping yesterday,mand I did not even look at the pictured items. But he agreed, and I got a gorgeous UGGs bathrobe. Cozy and warm. </p>
<p>I made my wife cry this year with my gift, and I mean the good kind of crying. But I did buy it just a couple of days before Christmas. I was afraid she would not like it, so I was quite relieved, especially after she got mad at me last year for giving her too much exercise equipment and apparel. </p>