I would love my husband for thinking enough of my craft to buy me a new machine and I would hate it if I couldn't pick it out myself. Sewing machines are like cars - they need to be test-driven and fit the driver. When I bought my last one, I had a long list of "must have" features and the machine I ended up buying does not have half of them. Go figure. I'd agree with the others who said to get a certificate from a reputable dealer or go shopping with her just shy of the holiday.