I would go to the local store, get a brochure on the top of the line machine, wrap it up with a note saying it's waiting for you at your local dealer or your dealer of choice. Merry Christmas.
If they have a little sewing machine or pin, I would purchase it for a wrap up gift.
I quilt and do a lot of other kind of sewing and the Embroidery machine isn't the best for piecing. It's great for embroidering and other things. I have a Pfaff for most of my sewing, a Singer feather weight for piecing, a Bernina that I use for heavy types of material like upholster, etc. Each machine has it's place.
I would hate for my husband to purchase my sewing machine even though I'm sure he would do a good job. Kind of like me buying my husband a new Pick up truck or a gun. You don't hung deer with a 22.