Just Buy the Woman Diamonds

So my brother and dad have solicited help in buying Christmas gifts for their wives--my sister-in-law and mother respectively. I can understand my brother needing a tad of help as he and Angie have two kids, both teach, on a busy schedule and he isn't exactly what you would call a mall or shopping enthusiast. So I'll cut him some slack. 

But, my dad, is about to get wailed upon. For those of you who do not know him, he possesses a PhD in Chemistry and is the Dean of Arts and Sciences at a major university in the area. No dummy in essence. However, when it comes to shopping for my mom, he is in the remedial class. I get so frustrated as each December 15th-ish, I see his cell number pop up on called ID and without a doubt, I know what the call is about. "Miss (my childhood name), um, do you have any ideas for gifts for your mom?" says dad sheepishly. Probably because he knows the answer is about to be, "dad, you live with the woman." My answers have started sounding hauntingly familiar. "Well dad, she mentioned a car, diamond earrings and upgrading her engagement ring." Of which I hear a loud sigh and he says, "did she mention anything else?" No dad, not really. Although every year she tells me to get her trouser socks, a new bath robe and slippers. Really mom? Not so much. 

My dad also thinks they are about to go broke ANY DAY so the poor woman will end up with something that is nice, but not quite what she was hoping for. When mom and I went out today, I tried to talk her into just driving straight to the car lot, trading in the 1999 Avalon and just coming home with a new ride. I think she's considering it. Since she knows dad will want to research a new car purchase on Consumer Reports for the next 10 years the cars he researched are no longer made. 

Poor woman. She's only risen to the top of her career this year not to mention her daily responsibilities. Can we say dad and I need to have a little father/daughter talk?