I believe in total honesty. I remember my in 2009, my girlfriend at the time (not my girlfriend anymore) bought me a watch for my birthday. It was a very great gesture and I told her that I loved the thought she put into the gift, but I asked her that in the 9 months we were together, did I wear a watch? Did I have a watch tan line. I kept the watch, thanked her for the thoughtfulness and but she knew it was not what I wanted or would have gotten myself.
I believe in getting to know what the other person likes or wants before getting a gift. Your girl was on the right track getting you something in the realm of what you enjoyed. But with the wealth of information at our fingertips, and being able to subtly fish for information from your significant other, we can get very close if not spot on with getting the proper gifts.
The next year, my girlfriend got me exactly what I wanted, a specific model and all the accessories to a dremmel tool that I was researching. Because she did her research and trolled my browser history....
Whatever you do with your gift from her is your choice. But I once told a girl that as much as I loved the thought, it was not something that would get much use.
And 3 years ago, I wore that watch for the first and only time, on our wedding day.