I support the gift certificate. You can' t buy stuff for someone when it is something they are really involved in. A person can' t buy clothing for someone who is really into their clothing, because it will never be right. You can' t buy tools for a mechanic, they already have what they need, or what you buy won' t be what they want. I read something like that somewhere and it really made a lot of sense, but I probably butchered it.

UNLESS they have a list, or have things circled in a magazine, or you REALLY already know what they want, which I asssume you don' t, stay away from their passions.

I say get the gift certificate, and take him to the store to spend it, and then sit (smiling) with him while he plays with his new toy.