Christmas Gifts for New Relationships

You can always get him something he would like such as a bottle of wine, or if you are a baker bake some cookies or other special item. If he reads get a book you know he will enjoy.

on a slight tangent, it sounds as if his pronouncement of love has taken you a bit aback. are you uncomfortable with it?
that might be the place to start. if you don't know how to respond, you probably don't reciprocate, at least not yet, and might need to have a gentle 'whoa back, cowboy' conversation.
yes, i'd say that asking what's on your christmas list, along with his declaration, indicates emphatically that he's getting you something. if you're good with that, then just keep it light and casual. 'well, you know i love xyz wine or xyz scented yankee candles or i'd love to see a reservation for us at the xyz fancy restaurant.' that way he knows you'd welcome something, and that the something shouldn't be extravagant.
i think a budget talk would be a little weird.
khairete
S.

I also just started dating someone (after 22 years of marriage!) so I know how strange things can be at first.
I would just keep it simple and low key if he's fishing for gift ideas. If my guy was asking me I would just say, oh you know I love to read, good coffee, good wine, stuff like that. Personal but not pricey.
But really if he's already telling you he loves you I'm surprised he doesn't already kind of know what you like, you know?
I hope he's not trying to move too fast by impressing you with something expensive.

If someone says "I love you" and you don't feel spontaneous about saying "I love you too" - I think you've hit a place where you want to slow things down a bit.
At any rate, after dating anyone for only a few months - I'd stick with flowers, candy, a bottle of wine or a Starbucks gift card.
Even a nice dinner reservation would be ok.
This is just a few months old and relationships and getting to know one another takes time.
Surely he's NOT going to come up with an engagement ring?
That would be so very inappropriate - and it would make me wonder why he's trying to rush me.

If it were me, I'd tell him that the best gift would be something you could do together, like a nice dinner out or tickets to an event you will both enjoy. Split the cost and say it's each of your gift to the other.

This way no one feels awkward about a possibly 'unequal' gift. And, it really is a good gift (actually my DH and I still do this).

It's still awfully new, and while there's a lot of emotion flowing, I'd say to take it slow. I think you buy what you can afford, don't make it super personal (sweater yes, underwear no; tickets to something or a museum membership you would both enjoy, yes; jewelry no). Try to stay away from the competition about how much to spend - if this is meant to be,it can't be based on money. I think discussing a budget is kind of tacky - especially at this juncture. Otherwise it sounds like an office Secret Santa with a $25 limit. You may have many years together - in which case this will sort itself out in time. It sounds like he is saying "love" and you aren't yet - so don't tell him what's on your list because it takes away his job, which is to get to know you enough to select something he think you would enjoy. I'd just say "Oh, please just pick something out using your own judgment. No pressure, no assigned gifts. Let's just enjoy this season."

If you are in an exclusive relationship and he told you he loves you I would assume he will get you something. It would be strange if he didn't, don't you think? Personally, I would never discuss budget. If you want to keep it even then you should just buy yourself something and he can buy himself something or you could exchange $X gift cards which seems silly to me.
Next time he asks you what is on your wish list, ask him what is on his.

Here's the thing-- if you are talking 'love', and a relationship, talking about money has got to happen sometime. It's worth being honest about this. I know when my fellow and I first started dating, he bought me some very nice things and I was a bit overwhelmed in that I didn't make nearly as much as he did and got him one meaningful item. We've been together for 14 years now and I don't feel weird about it any more, but the first few years he always spent way more on me than I did for him. So be honest with him, a short conversation is fine, or if you want to take it slower, go for one meaningful item that shows you have listened to him and care about his interests.

I think the question is more about what to do with the relationship if he is further along than you are. If you're not ready for love but he is, you all need to have a conversation.

I also second the idea of doing something together, as far as gifts go.