Interesting reading. Early on in my relationship with my DH it bothered me that he was really bad at choosing gifts for me.
I would still be thrilled if he would one day surprise me with something I would love, but I am no longer expecting that to happen. And I have made peace with it.
But it does bother me when he says that the best gift he could get would be to be excused from buying me anything. I can't help hearing that as him not caring, even though I know he loves me very much and he shows this is very practical ways. He just hates shopping.
We share all our money anyhow so if he is not happy to pick it and I am paying for it in any case, why make him conduct the transaction!