[SWTXBelle]

Men do tend to be more gift-impaired. It might help to explain to him that a gift sends a message about how the giver feels about the receipient. So, a sweatshirt (just the name - yuck) doesn't say the kind of romantic things you would like an anniversary gift to say. I've written elsewhere about the man who bought a Waterford razor for his girlfriend one Valentine's Day - sending the message "Hey, honey, I think you are hairy!". The gift was returned, and the relationship ended. (!)
Context matters - most of the time, an electric appliance might not be a good idea, but if, like Alpha Frog, you had asked for one, it would indicate he was LISTENING to you. Is he friends with any of your friends? If so, he could ask them for help. But it may just be he isn't a good gift giver. My husband isn't - and it's just something I've learned to live with. If I really want something, I buy it and tell him to consider my gift taken care of!
Look at the overall guy - does his gift impairment indicate an overall lack of consideration, or is it just a minor flaw?