You can ask.
The thing is, it needs to be tied to an iTunes account for things like using the WiFi iTunes store. I can see that being a stumbling block on that road. But maybe if you explain that it's a gift, for an anniversary no less, and that you have located a copy of the appropriate OS but by the time it arrives you won't be able to return it if needed, someone might take pity and maybe let you set up an iTunes account and do the sync.
On that thought, do you have any mac-centric friends who could be pressed into duty there?
Finally, if she already knows about the gift, maybe take her to the store and have her play with one there. I surfed for about a half hour before committing. Posted on a couple forums, checked out some of my bookmarks to make sure they would work, and in general just played around to get the feel for surfing on a small screen. I was hooked.
Of course, if she doesn't know, you can do the same thing. Make an excuse to swing in, play with a few things, accidentally end up at the iPod table, and get her scrolling and pinching on the screen.
