Oh yeah...I keep notes as well.
"You know, I really like this flowery widget. That would make a nice birthday present if you don't know what to get."
/me scribbles furiously in notebook...and steals picture from magazine/newspaper, etc.
Sometimes I'll buy it early...just in case, but that's often not been a good idea.
"WTF? Why did you buy me this?"
"Because, on May 23, you told me you liked it and suggested it as a birthday present.":\
"Not possible. I think that's retarded...but thank you anyway, the thought was good."
Damned wimmenz...about the time a guy thinks he has teh rulez figured out...they change the damned rules.