Now that Halloween is officially behind us, we'll soon face the dreaded question, "What do you want for the holidays?"

It's not like I don't have things on my wish list. There's plenty of photo gear I want. But it's also not like I can say, "Honey, would you please get me the new Panasonic GX7 camera body?" And that's the problem. Photographers like expensive stuff.

I remember back in the early days of digital photography -- I needed a bigger memory card for my Apple QuickTake 200. They were somewhat pricy then. So that's what I requested.

I did receive the SmartMedia, and was quite happy to have it. But I could also tell that it wasn't very satisfying for the giver. That's when I learned that gifts have to work for both parties involved.

So now, when the predictable "what do you want" question surfaces, I reply, "Honey, I'd love a new cap. And how about this camping stove I've had my eye on?" Both items are a treat that I'd love to have. And they both actually help me be a better, more adventuresome photographer.

But most importantly, they are far more satisfying for the giver than a 1.4X tele extender.

-Derrick