Well, thanks in no small part to you all, the whole weekend was a wonderful success.
We went into New York for dinner and a play, followed by a romantic evening in a little boutique hotel. Before we headed to bed, I gave her the Wal-mart bag, all nicely wrapped up. Meanwhile, the Coach bag was hidden (not wrapped) within arms reach, but out of view. When she saw the gift-wrapped package, she got a huge smile on her face and it was all I could do not to start laughing. As she unwrapped it, she kept smiling this sincere, really excited smile. Finally she got it open and still had the grin on her face. Now, I know my wife and this was not a "just being nice" smile -- she was genuinely excited. At this point I'm thinking maybe I've gotten away with one here and start wondering what I'm going to do if she really likes this $15.00 bag. After a couple of seconds, though, as she turns it over a few times in her hands, the smile does turn into a "just being nice" smile and she says, "it's not exactly the one I wanted, but it's very nice." I could literally see the wheels turning looking for a way to be tactful. I told her that the one she wanted was just a little too expensive and that this one looked just like it, but I had the receipt so she could return it if she wanted. The she saw the price tag with the $15.00 scratched off, but not so well that you couldn't make it out, and she said, in the most innocent voice, "OK, well, I'll have to think about it, but where did you get it?" I don't remember how I dodged that question, but she said, "well maybe I'll return it and get some gift certificates from my friends to put toward the Coach purse." Then there were a few exhanges of "OK," and, "you wouldn't be upset?" and "of course not."
At this point, I was sincerely impressed with my wife. As I said earlier, I fully expected that she would be outright mad at me having gotten her this obviously low quality substitute. I expected that I would have had to go to the real bag just to protect myself, but as it was, I had to go to it because I started to feel bad about how sincerely touched she was by the fact that I got her something close at all. I did not give her nearly enough credit. So, I told her that before she made up her mind, I also got her the wallet to go with it (thanks to annemerrick for this line, as well as this whole idea) and she should look at that before she decided. Then I gave her the real thing and she literally shrieked with delight. She laughed about it all night and said it was one of the best jokes I've pulled on her (and I've pulled a lot!). So thanks again, annemerrick!
We had a wonderful time and the next morning went to brunch at our favorite place and for a walk in Central Park, where the weather was beautiful. We walked right past Adam Sandler, but I didn't notice him (I just saw a guy walking his dog, and never looked at his face). All my wife could get out before we passed him was "oh, oh, oh, oh!" I thought she was trying to tell me his dog was going to bite me or something. After we passed him, she finally got his name out, but it was too late for me to see anything but the back of his head.
Anyway, hopefully this purse will last her 10 years or so, because I am still blown away at how much it cost (and, yes, I see from the posts here it could be much, much worse). But it was a fun time. I've enjoyed all your responses and really appreciate all your help in getting me to step up and buy the real thing. It's hard for me to say it was "worth it," but she was really happy and it made the weekend an even more memorable one. So I guess it was worth it.
Thanks again, everyone, and best regards,
dg
P.S. If you EVER see Mrs. DG posting here, please tell her to return whatever purse she bought and send her straight home!