sweetheart, thank you for lovely long list - gloves for iPhone are a good one (well he doesn't have an iPhone but does have an iPod Touch, so same problem with woolly fingers!). Posh cheese could be good too.
JennyPiccolo that is a REALLY nice bag! Unfortunately we're a bit bag-tastic in this house already, which is a shame cos it looks like a really nice present.
Sadly he's not a grunge/Star Wars fan, and though I like the beer-making kit idea I just know that he/we would never quite get round to actually doing it.
3become4 now subscriptions are an idea - he's an avid Car magazine reader but I've got him subscriptions to that in the past. Will have a think. I like the Ride-a-Dad T-shirt! Only thing is his back has been a bit ropey in the past, so think it might be asking for trouble 
He does have a docking station (two, in fact - see I told you he liked his iPod!) and ah, the old Kindle debate... It should be the perfect present for him, especially as we both work in the book industry, but he hates Amazon (for work-related reasons - as do I in principle, but I am far weaker morally and am seduced by the convenience and low prices [fgrin[) and thus a Kindle is out (since you can only buy books from Amazon for it). There are other ereaders out there, I know, but I used to have one for work and he never seemed that interested in getting one for himself. Even though he should want one...
Home-made love cheques, vouchers for things, etc - absolutely, I had thought about making one for him, a sort of 'perfect day' type thing, starting with breakfast in bed and going on to include lots of his favourite things. Might still do that actually anyway.
hambo - both great ideas, though sadly the Map website only seems to cover Scotland, and we're in England, pah. Like the 'Child's quote' idea though. And the hamper idea. Like that one a lot, actually.
yellowflowers - had thought of a recipe book stand in the past, but forgotten about it - thanks for reminding me! Where did you get yours, out of interest?
Boiledegg - you are clearly the perfect wife! What lovely things your DH is getting. I wish I had that kind of creatively thinking mind when it comes to presents. I LOVE your map idea - part of me would feel guilty about stealing it, but part of me totally wants to. And you'd never know 
I also love cheese knives idea. And your mention of 'It's a Wonderful Life' (though HB - did you mean hardback, was it a book before the film?) has made me think of his fave film, 'A Matter of Life and Death', so I have found a movie poster which I will frame. Hurrah! Though it may not come before Christmas, so I still need back-up plans. If not I will give it to him for his birthday in the summer.
Thank you all - such fantastic thoughts. I love MN at times like this. Well, any time really.