Interesting. I am of the you got to be 100% honest with them philosophy. Then again, I'm blessed with a wife who wants me to be happy and pursue my hobbies. She trusts my judgment and I try not to abuse that trust. We both have a "what's the point in life if you don't have a little fun now and then" attitude. I don't complain about shoes, dresses, and cooking supplies (my wife LOVES to cook) and she doesn't say a word about the bows, guns, fly rods, reels, custom balsa crankbaits, etc.....
We do have a policy of discussing "larger" purchases just to make sure we are meeting out financial goals, but it always ends up being a good discussion. Now that we have our first child we're both less spendy (hey, our expenses went UP)!
I will say having an understanding wife makes all the difference in the world when it comes to these things. Before I met my wife I dated some girls who turned out to be real b__tchy and it didnt last long. I am sure they are nagging some poor guy somewhere... hope none of you guys ended up with them.