Keeping Unexpected Gifts on Hand..

A beautiful candle is always a nice gift. Also, anytime I go to the Bath & Body Works Outlet, I always stock up on their sales. Most women LOVE stuff to pamper themselves, so I always have some on hand.

We always make cookies for the neighbors, put them in cute bags, and then have the kids deliver them.

It's always nice to be prepared!

Yes..... I do this as well.

BUT, I"m going to STOP! My husbands closet is FULL of "gifts". And then I still will go get something different for certain people anyway. So I"m DONE buying things in advance. The next few babies and weddings will be getting a TON of stuff (or else it's hitting my garage sale!) because it's not saving me any money by getting a good deal and then having 50+ gifts sit in my closet. (I'm counting 1 outfit as 1 gift......)

Yes. I keep a few gifts on hand for just in case. Right now I have some picture frames, small bags of chocolates, and a candy dish.

A few years ago there was a store going out of business, and a picked up a large stack of journals and diaries for 75 cents each. I added a fancy pen and had some last minute gifts or grab bags for my girls to give as gifts. I also kept art supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, kid sissors, etc) on hand for kids.

Gift certificates. Amazon.com, Target, the mall, Starbucks etc. They're one size fits all and if you don't end up needing them you can use them.

funds don't allow for that, but I totally know what you're saying - someone gives you an unexpected gift and you're like "UH ....... here's something for you too!"

I personaly like ornaments the best. I wouldn't mind a candle either. I am so sick of lotions though. But I think the holiday scent ones aren't too bad.
Other ideas:
-- picture frames
-- holiday socks
-- pretty scarf
-- play-doh (for the kids)
-- a cute little Xmas bag with a variety of Xmas candy

What would I ideally get (other than cash??): probably chocolate. It's something I'd actually use. Homemade jams are okay. Banana bread and other baked goods are okay, but some people have special tastes. Who doesn't like holiday colored M&Ms?

What a good idea. I never thought of having a gift 'on hand'. What a thoughtful friend you are.

Yes, my closet floor is half covered by "possibilities". I can't stand lotions because of the scents and everyone's different. Same with candles. Unless it's vanilla and I do have some mulberry or Christmas spice ones for the holidays. Same with the diffusers - got to have "nuetral" scents. I've got journals, coffee mugs, scarves, crystal vases and candy dishes - I don't have them wrapped, because I don't do paper wrappings, I make gift bags out of fabric so they're reusuable and they're in a pile next to the gifts so that it only takes a moment to bag and tie and then I don't have to wonder what's in it or even use the brain power to remember.

I pick stuff up whenever I see a GREAT deal somewhere. As for neighbors, we bake about 10 different kinds of cookies for Christmas about 4 or 5 days before (takes us 2 full days to make that many) and then we put at least 2 of every different kind on a plate and go out and deliver them to our neighbors, mailman, garbage men and shut ins (depending on how many we have and how many folks went away for the holidays, we've also taken to the firestation nearest us). We also take a huge platter to the church on Christmas Eve to share with the congregation. We've been giving them to our neighbors for so long (17 years now) that we know most of who's favorites and try and accommodate their sweet tooth!!!! IF we go to a party, I usually just take a poinsettia - who can't use another one???? Or if it's very close to Christmas, I take a plate of cookies!!!

I don't mean to put a damper on this, but I might be a little offended if someone gave me a gift that was obviously not picked out for me, just because I gave a gift. I like to give gifts that are special for me and the recipient, so for that person to simply turn around out of obligation and just grab something from the closet would be undesirable.

On the other hand, if someone were to say, "Boy, I could really use a candle," or "I just love trying new teas," and I happened to have that on hand, then I would be glad to say, "Then, this is for you!"

yes, I also pick up things for the kids - little things on clearance. When we are really bored, I set up a treasure hunt with clues around the house or outside (weather permitting). they follow the clues and find the treasure! I think candles are great - I also like those scent diffusers with the sticks. You can use them all the time with no flame!

Yes, I do that.
BUT I also choose things, that if it is not given to anyone..... that MY family or kids, will like/eat too.
Thereby, I do NOT waste money, on it.

We do not get into the habit, of gifting every single neighbor... it is just TOO expensive.. and a precedent we do not want to do, nor can afford. So we don't.

I keep on hand:
nice coffee
nice sweets
food type things packaged nicely
things that are not perishable

As for 'kid' emergency gifts: I don't need to do that, because, I already KNOW who will be giving my kids stuff.... and have already given them, their kids' gifts.
OR, if anything, I just give them a "family" gift, from my stash of "emergency" gifts. And label the 'tag' as "For the Smith Family."
"From: the Parker Family".

I do not give gifts, to "acquaintances." That is TOO many people! No need to do that! Unless you have lots of extra money to spend!

all the best,
Susan

Im really stuck on the homemade recipe in a jar idea. hot chocolate, chai tea, soup mix, brownie mix, the possibilities are endless. I have a couple links if your interested.

I don't keep anything!!! And we don't give anything to neighbors although I'm making dipped marshmallows on sticks for teachers and my networking group so maybe if I have extra I'll give them to the neighbors since we live on a cul d sac and see them every day since our kids play together. I've never been in a situation where I've needed a gift on the spot? I wonder how often that happens to people. Regardless, you are smart to be so prepared! Happy holidays!!!

I'm always checking out the clearance sections of stores. I'm VERY picky about clearance prices, though. It has to be a lower price than what it would be on sale. (Stores love to trick us w/ wimpy clearance prices!)

I will buy presents throughout the year. Some for us, some "emergency" gifts. I have a plastic tub in the garage to store them.

One of my favorite things to collect is baby gifts. I have had many co-workers having babies, so they have come in handy.

Since scented items are so personal, that's one thing I tend to avoid. My husband has a hard time understanding why I won't buy soaps & candles on clearance, though.

Once in a while, I'll go through the tub. If I need to weed some stuff out, I'll just donate to charity.

Our tub of "just in case" gifts has saved my hiney many times. Very well worth it!

no, i don't think i could survive christmas if i were to do that. I have the gifts stashed for the mailman, UPS man, bus driver, one neighbor and their kids (because we spend christmas eve together), german beer for the man, a set of scarf and gloves for the mom, and toys for the kids.
i have bags of godiva coffee, different kids of hot chocolate sets that i will give to other neighbors. but i don't go as far and get every child in my neighborhood.
i personally do not use candles. i know people who love them, but i don't because there never seems to be the time to use them, by the way, when do you lit candles? and what about kids around candles?
if i were to receive unexpectedly from people (fun notion) i'd love chocolate. yes, chocolate chocolate chocolate :)

What I typically do for the neighbors we are friendly with is to package a sampling of homemade Christmas cookies/fudge. I usually have to make double batches of both to have enough for us and to give out, but I think it's worth it. I LOVE getting homemade stuff like that. It can take a LOT of time to make ONE thing, and to have someone give me a sampler is yummy!!

I do 4-6 decorated sugar cookies, depending on the size of the family (each one is different and done by hand) and a few squares of fudge, packaged in one of those inexpensive tins from the dollar store or Walmart. I use holiday tissue paper as a liner.

Oh, and as for candles... I love the IDEA of candles, but am not a fan of receiving them. Mine usually just collect dust or get re-gifted. I never have time to burn them, and you have to find a "good" location when you do. I'd rather have an oil diffuser than an actual candle.

Hi,

I do this too. It helps to have a shelf in the closet for the gifts. I usually find great deals after the holidays so I purchase some gifts then and the rest throughout the year. Also, candles are ok to me but I don't get a chance to use them with little ones around. So I usually only give candles to people without small children. The things I normally buy are: coloring books, markers, purses, jewerly,pj's, toys for 12m and under, 2-3, 3, 4-5, and so on. boy and girl for those that I know around that age.

M

After a trip to Costa Rica we fell in love with their coffee- so now I order coffee from there instead of buying it locally. It is not something available here and it is good coffee. So I have bags of that and occasionally I will pick up insulated coffee mugs to add to it. When I am inspired I make Biscotti to add to the coffee,also.
I also have a friend that makes the best Sea Salt with Oregano/Basil/etc and I order a case of that before the holidays. Little jars are only $4. and it makes a nice housewarming gift, hostess gift,etc and if I don't give them away I stick them in the pantry and use them. Same with the coffee.
I HATE candles and lotions. Overdone and very impersonal. (Or maybe too personal since they are never a scent I like but someone else probably does/did.)

I have a few small items in a "gift box," kind of like what you are describing. Mostly, the items were gifts to me that I can't use for some reason. For example, I am allergic to heavily scented items, so the box has some scented candles and scented lotions (and a bottle of perfume) in it that I can't use. So personally, I would avoid candles (since I know others are allergic like me) and do something like small $5 gift cards or chocolates.

I couldn't resist responding to this because I do the same thing. I have a small storage closet that has become the official "Gift Closet." When I see things on sale (after the start of school, after Christmas, etc.). I will buy them and put them in our Gift Closet. I try to choose items that are not trendy and have kind of a timeless appeal.

When my kids were younger I kept items like coloring books and crayons, swim goggles, games, etc. Also, I don't limit it to kid stuff. I will buy candle sets, fun coffee mugs, picture frames, etc. I buy Christmas trinkets after the holidays for teacher gifts for the following year. Plus, I always keep a supply of gift bags and tissue paper there as well.

Whenever the kids have a birthday party to go to, they go to the Gift Closet and "shop" for a present for their friend. I like it because they are able to choose something special specifically for their friend and don't have to just have to take the one item I happened to have on hand.

Granted, there have been times when the kids have grown past a certain age and a gift has not been given. In that case I either donate it (I feel ok because I know I got it at a great price and it is going to a worthy cause) or hold on to it in case I do have the opportunity to make it a gift.

The gift closet has saved us many last minute trips to the store for presents. It makes gift giving more affordable since you are buying items on sale, and yet still gives the opportunity for a personal present.