I seriously doubt Eli has a problem with strong women. Usually it's the insecure guys that do and he doesn't strike me as the insecure type.
It does sound as though you are trying to validate your own desires instead of really trying to find out what would please your friend. If you're just trying to get him to try something new that would be different, I get that. But mark it as a "let's try something new!" day, instead of disguising it under a misplaced veil of "I appreciate you so I'm going to get you something that I want" gift.
It does sound as though you are trying to validate your own desires instead of really trying to find out what would please your friend. If you're just trying to get him to try something new that would be different, I get that. But mark it as a "let's try something new!" day, instead of disguising it under a misplaced veil of "I appreciate you so I'm going to get you something that I want" gift.