I gave my wife a new belt and bag - - - - now the Hoover works much
better!!! 
No, really, she just got the usual mix of clothes, accessories and
new games for her DS…
Best wishes,
Ian
Ian W. Wright
Sheffield UK
I have difficulty coming up with occasion gifts: birthdays,
Christmas, etc. I like to give things when something comes to mind
that I hope the intended would like.
For Christmas my wife, with some help from her mother, gave herself
an iMac with 20" screen. A gorgeous machine. She’s an Apple fanatic.
As for me, I gave her the month of October in France, her birth
month. I had to go along as designated driver
My wife got a 2-1/2 ct oval golden sapphire and 60 pt diamond slider
in 18K palladium white on an 18K white gold omega (most of which
where parts purchased for jobs that backfired during the year); along
with new tops and sweaters to coordinate with the color theme.
After a few years of not giving my wife any jewelry (we both tend to
sell things to clients that I give her) I decided to actually make
her something this year. But, It never fails, when it comes to
non-business transactions I always bite off more than I can chew!
I thought I’d make a cross for my wife. It started as a simple
affair to use up some demantoid garnets I had kicking around. After
some ego-swelling remarks about my CAD work from a CAD hating,
high-end jeweler acquaintance, I decided to design it in Rhino.
What a mistake! I can’t quit tweaking it…and my wife saw it and
added her comments…“Oooh can you add an extra large bail and make
me a nice chain to go with it…I’d like more metal and fewer
stones”…Oh well, it could’ve been an anniversary present (15 years
as of mid Jan). Now it’s going to be a birthday present. Can I get it
done by March? Let’s hope so. Maybe by then she’ll forget about it
and it’ll actually be a surprise.
Larry
Cary NC
Fortunately for you (and your wife!), you are a male jewelry maker &
your S.O. is a female, most of whom enjoy wearing jewelry. Alas, I
am female & my S.O. is a male and he unfortunately doesn’t like to
wear jewelry. I should consider myself lucky I got him to wear a
wedding band! (his father doesn’t) Because of this, I actually make
pretty much NO men’s jewelry. I have no inspiration! I did, though,
make him a keychain years ago, at his request. A simple piece, but he
chose the rock and I made it just for him, and I enjoy seeing him use
it every day all these years later. 
The jewelry I made as a gift
this year was a pendant for my MIL that had as the cab a triangular
piece of cut and polished bowling ball. Yes, bowling ball. A
beautiful deep royal blue with swirls of opalescence. She is an avid
bowler, so this was perfect for her. Now I’m just waiting for her to
show it off to all her bowling friends and they ask eagerly where
she got such a cool thing! lol
Lisa
Designs by Lisa Gallagher
Some years I make all the ladies (wife, daughters, mother and
employees) in my life something special for Christmas. None of that
this year. We bought each other a good quality photo printer that
stll has not been out of the box. The goal for us is to make a little
time for the family on Chritmas Eve. This year we got that plus the
Sunday before Christmas off of work. This is considered an major
triumph in my world.
There will be a special gift very soon. My bride of over 25 years
has a major milestone birthday next month and she has already been
told that I intend to make her one of the best rings ever. I expect
her to collaborate on the design. It will have a tsavorite center
stone, but no diamonds. We have a running joke that she will never
own a diamond.
Stephen Walker
There will be a special gift very soon. My bride of over 25 years has a major milestone birthday next month and she has already been told that I intend to make her one of the best rings ever.
Well all I can say is that your wife is one lucky lady!!! I think
your Celtic rings are beautiful and I’ve drooled over them a few
times.
Helen
UK