Marlys Johnson was trying to decide on what to give her husband, Charles, for a Christmas gift last December.

“Every time I get him something, he didn’t like it,” Marlys laughed. “He’s hard to buy for.”

So instead of giving him something tangible, she decided on a trip.

Marlys, 72, said she thought about a trip to Hawaii, but they’ve already been there and too much walking would bother Charles’ legs.

After making a telephone call to her daughter, Marlys decided to give a husband a trip to Los Angeles. Not just to Los Angeles, but also two tickets to his favorite game show — “The Price Is Right.”

But the trip got better. The Johnsons were one of nine couple chosen to appear on a special “Valentine Day-themed” edition of the longtime game show on Jan. 14.

“My daughter helped us get two airplane tickets there and get our tickets for the show,” Marlys said.

The couple flew into Los Angeles on Jan. 13 so they could attend the Jan. 14 show. Their hotel was across from the studio where the show is filmed in Studio City, Calif.

The couple wore matching red T-shirts to the show. On the front of Charles’ shirt was printed “I Love  ‘Come On Down!’”

Marlys’ T-shirt read “I Love This Guy!”

The Johnsons were among 300 people who stood in line for tickets and answering questions for the selection process of contestants for the show. There are two shows produced each day on the set.

Charles, 71, said they stood in line for about two hours, while show representatives questioned the 300 attending the show.

“They interview each one of them,” Charles said. ‘Then they chose nine couples out of the 300 people.”

Marlys said there was not a single person standing in line that had any complaints about waiting.

The actual taping for the show is about 90 minutes, according to Megan Barker, publicist for the show.

The couple said Drew Carey, the show’s host, and announcer George Gray, meet with the audience before and after the show.

“They were ordinary people who where not stuck up,” said Charles. “They were very, very friendly,”

Charles said before their names, a man held up a big sign with their names on it before the announcer said, “Charles and Marlys Johnson, come on down! You’re the next contestants on ‘The Price is Right.’”

“When I seen the sign, I went crazy,” Charles said.

“I didn’t know what to do,” said Marlys.

Barker said because of a contractual agreement with producers, no details of their appearance on the show can be revealed until after the episode airs.

The show was televised Feb. 14 on KIRO (Channel 7) and the Johnsons joined family and friends gathered at the Hi-Tide Bar and Grill on Bay Street to watch the show.

Charles and Marlys were the second contestants on the show.

The couple played a “matching game” in which they won a 2013 Dodge Dart SE.

“I’ve send California there money, we’re just waiting on the car to get here,” said Charles

The Johnsons have been faithful viewers of the show since it premiered in 1972.

“I have been watching since Bob Barker was hosting it,” Charles said.

“When we had the kids around, they knew to be quiet when the show was on,” added Marlys.

The 5-day trip also gave them a chance to send time with their grandson who lives in the area.