I used to tell the kids surprise me...I know that whatever you pick will be the perfect gift for me because you put some thought into it. To me it was the giving and thought that were important not so much the gift that I was trying to teach the kids. The kids are adults now - Two years ago I mentioned a bread machine months before Christmas just in a conversation not as a gift of any kind and never thought about it again. They knew I would never purchase it for myself and it was a delightful surprise to receive one for Christmas. Grand kids always pick the "perfect" socks for me each year and they are so excited that they got to pick the design/color of them. These aren't quilting gift ideas but at the Holidays I guess for me it's ok. All my kids (sons and daughters) have grown up with an appreciation of my quilting and give me gift certificates to quilt shops as well as purchase fabric for me from their vacation destinations throughout the year. This Christmas I'm going to give myself a little something just as Santa used to do over the years - he always brought something for everyone. I'll be getting the twister ruler!