Okay, I give up! I confessed to Marla part of what I wanted to get for Christmas for her... to see if she would be willing to forgo presents for me, so we can actually afford this thing. Because, you know, it's at least as much a prezzie for my as it is for her.
It is an electric jewelry kiln, such as the Paragon SC-2 or Sierra 360F. About $500 to $600... expensive, but if split two ways, less than $300 each!
Of course, I won't show her what I intend to MAKE in the kiln until Christmas. And this way, I also get to keep up the tradition of making her gifts. We can buy books and videos any time, so I like to do something special for her for the Holidays.