Sounds like you do need to have a sit-down heart-to-heart conversation with your husband. Communication is very important so that both of you understand each other's needs and expectations. My husband and I have been married for 10 years. When we first got married, we agreed to exchange gifts for Valentine's Day, Birthdays and Christmas. So it may just be a matter of simply letting your husband know that you would like to exchange for those occasions. I think it's only fair that you communicate how you feel to your husband since he cannot read your mind...likewise you cannot read his mind so he needs to let you know what he is thinking.
After a few years of being married, we have all the "stuff" we need because we buy things that we need during the year so we just go out for dinner on the special occasions. In time, your desire for gifts may change. In our earlier years of marriage, gifts were a big deal, but now it really doesn't matter to me or my husband anymore. Every year, our relationship grows and it's not exactly the same as the year before. It gets better like wine.
As far as spending his money on hobbies, it depends on your financial situation. If you need money to buy groceries or to pay bills, then it's definitely not wise for him to be spending money on hobbies. However, if that is not the problem and you just feel he may be spending too much on hobbies, then again--that will require the two of you to sit down and communicate about your family budget. Don't let resentment build to a point where the communication becomes negative and destructive. As husband and wife, you both need to look at the facts, numbers, budget and evaluate what your goals are in the marriage. Do you want to save money for retirement, future kids, future kid's education, buy a house (if you live in an apartment right now?), etc. These are all issues that need to be discussed and a budget needs to be established so you both don't run into financial problems down the road. Money is the cause for many marital divorces so don't let something important like this go undiscussed and unresolved.
If discussed with the mindset of "keeping the marriage healthy, happy and debt-free", and speaking in truth and love, then I think both of you can resolve the issues without anger or hostility. Good luck with everything and keep us posted on how it goes. May God bless you both.
