Little you should probably not get him anything. You already see how he acted when you told him you had a meeting. He probably did think you were getting a L. You were stopping the pursue cycle. Listen I didn't get my W anything for our 8 and 9 year anniversary.
It is pursuit. You have to act like you are moving on without him.

I think getting a cat or a dog or an elephant is a great idea. It is a 180 and small dynamic change.

You need to let him go.

Curious. Did he reply to your email. Did you like the reply? I would be surprised if he did or if you like the response.

I am speaking from experience. I use to ask my W when we were separated if she missed me. She said "no, just the kids." I stopped the pursuit from that point on.

By you sending emails and cards you allowing him to still say to himself "she is still hooked"

What are you doing to GAL? What have you done to change the dynamics at home? Cat is a good start. What about appearance? What can you do with the kids that he would never do?

It is very hard work. Keep up the good work