Do you keep generic Christmas presents on hand for unexpected gift exchanges?
Blossomo2 asked:
You know the sitch: it’s the holidays, a friend you haven’t seen in awhile stops by, and she hands you a package. But you don’t have anything for her! Do you keep some generic gifts in reserve so that you can avoid this awkward one-sided exchange (how’s that for an oxymoron? “one-sided exchange” hee hee).
You know the sitch: it’s the holidays, a friend you haven’t seen in awhile stops by, and she hands you a package. But you don’t have anything for her! Do you keep some generic gifts in reserve so that you can avoid this awkward one-sided exchange (how’s that for an oxymoron? “one-sided exchange” hee hee).
What generic gifts do you keep around for this purpose?
I usually keep some Barnes & Noble gift cards around for this purpose. My mom has always had a stash of See’s candy certificates “just in case.”
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Tags: Gift Exchanges, Holidays, Unexpected Gift
March 1st, 2009 at 9:49 am
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I make jams and jellies and wrap them up with pretty labels and ribbons. When an unexpected guest comes by I always have something homemade to give them.
March 4th, 2009 at 3:28 am
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no i never have…but that is such a great idea…i cant believe that never came across my mind…
thank you!
March 6th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
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I sell Avon and am always buying jewelry and other items to give. I also knit, mostly scarves and hats. Some people love a hand knit gift.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
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I do that too. I keep chocolates, cookies, candles, soaps, and lotions on hand for last minute gift giving. What I don’t give away I use for myself.
March 10th, 2009 at 11:03 am
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I always keep a bottle of wine,a fancy box of biscuits and a box of chocolates gift wrapped with a label that just says from us.Also keep a couple of spare cards in the car,written from us,there`s always a pen in the car,so you can put the name on the envelope when you say,”I`ve left your card in the car,my memory is getting shocking these days!”
March 13th, 2009 at 10:06 am
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i buy things on special in craft shops ,hand made things look more thought out ,and hopefully they will still be on hand when i need them.
March 14th, 2009 at 4:33 am
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I try to, but often don’t , its difficult for me to get out shopping w/no vehicle, (I’m hoping someone might drop off a gift certificated for the car of my choice, signed, waiting to be delivered) I have my dreams,
At this time I am low, on call gifts, but that is my intention, its also good to have something small but nice to give a friend who stops by w/the blues. Thanx for bringing that to my active thoughts!
March 16th, 2009 at 9:13 am
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Yes, I usually get about 9 bottles of hand soap from The Face and Body Shop which make great gifts. Also Trader Joe’s has Shaw wine which is very good Napa Valley wine for only $2.99 a bottle. I buy 12 and do 6 red and 6 white. Then when someone stops in I just put either the soap or a bottle of wine in a gift bag and give it to them on their way out. It cost very little and means a lot. Also if my husband and I are invited to a dinner or party they make nice hostess gifts.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
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WELL…. LETS SEE NOW….
YEP…. I usually have 5 or 6 $20.00 gift certificates handy
for these situations. I usually purchase them at a large
department store. That way…. if I still have any of them
left after the holidays…. I can have myself a little bit of a
“PERSONAL SHOPPING SPREE” during the annual
“AFTER CHRISTMAS SALE.”
MY MAMA ONLY RAISED ONE FOOL……..
HE LIVES IN ALABAMA !!!!
March 17th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
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Yes, it is always a good idea. You never know if a neighbor might show up or just a friend that happened by. I always keep my homemade preserves ready along with some fresh fruit and some baskets that I can make up quickly. I once had a neighbor show up with a huge box of fresh oranges for me. I gave her a basket full of my homemade goodies. Works well. Christmas is a time of giving and receiving.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
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I don’t “DO” Christmas. Haven’t for many years…yet, for some unknown reason, I stumbled upon a box of markdown candles last year & bought them for power outage emergencies. They look like little candycanes & each are individually wrapped & in their own glass safety cups. So, IF (& that’s a big IF), IF I happen to get into one of those silly situations, I guess I’m as prepared as I need to be…but I did’t buy them as give-aways & never thought of that aspect until I read your question!~
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
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I always have a couple of tins of good tea, a tin of holiday cookies, a box of candy, and a box of decorative soaps wrapped and ready. Any leftover food is donated to the food bank after the holidays, and I use the soaps in my bathroom.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
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I always did have tins of homemade cookies, Gift cards to restaurants, small things we have made like ornaments for the tree. I even have baggies of Dog Biscuits and cat toys for pets on had too. . . I love giving gifts at Christmas ! ! !
March 26th, 2009 at 9:06 am
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No.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
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I’m way too cheap to do that,but I keep a lot of gifts that I’ve received on a shelf in my bedroom closet. I try to remember who gave me what so I dont accidentally give someone a gift they gave me. Watching Seinfeld told me I am an official regifter.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:35 am
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Yes I do - I make my own candy and package it wrapped in pretty paper in pretty tins (cans)! And if I do not get any unexpected gifts then I get an extra 10 lbs. to add to my frame later in January!
CJ
March 30th, 2009 at 10:00 am
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Not really, but I can always give them a bottle of wine from my wine cellar.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
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Our home made fudge and banana nut bread - a must for Christmas goodies for the family and it’s easy for my hubby to make up a plate of fudge or stick a bow on the banana bread.
Also have a big can of popcorn and a box of Whitman’s chocolates and several signed Christmas cards under the tree.
Must be prepared, it happen every year with friends and neighbors.
DeeJay.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:55 am
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I use to, but now I don’t. If someone gives me a gift then I assume it is with the pleasure of giving and not for the reward of receiving. When I receive it I thank them. When I give a gift I do it from the heart and with the pleasure of making them happy. I had to learn how not to feel guilty about that, but why pretend?
The definition from Wikipedia is:
A gift is a voluntary act which does not require anything in return.
April 4th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
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Certainly, a few candles and candies and cards.