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Post by vspindler on Dec 2, 2022 2:09:43 GMT
I never know until right before the holiday if my sister’s in laws will be in town for Christmas. If they are, they often come over on Christmas Eve with my family (parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, aunt and uncle, etc). I never know if I should have something on hand or not for them until a few days before. To complicate things, they fly in so things like a blanket from Kohls may be too bulky to be practical. The last time they were here (pre pandemic) I ended up just getting them a last minute cheese and sausage box, figuring they would then have snacks for when my sister and brother in law take the kids to swim at their hotel, etc.
Guess I was wondering if you keep little gifts around for unexpected guests and, if so, what kinds of things do you have on hand?
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Post by mom on Dec 2, 2022 2:21:39 GMT
Kinda -- I always keep some nice candles, a few bottles of wine, etc around and can use them as gifts for the last minuet. I've also bought some gift cards in the past for places I know I will frequent and keep those on hand. If I use them for a gift, great and if not, then I can use them throughout the year.
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Post by 950nancy on Dec 2, 2022 2:37:18 GMT
No. We don't get surprise guests.
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Post by vjlau on Dec 2, 2022 3:14:18 GMT
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Post by myshelly on Dec 2, 2022 3:14:20 GMT
No. I don’t buy for people who are that extended of family.
I don’t think that just because you see someone at Christmas means you have to give them a gift.
We try really hard to consciously keep gifting to immediate family that we actually want to buy for and not feel obligated to get involved in other exchanges.
I really don’t like gifting between non spouse adults.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Dec 2, 2022 3:26:02 GMT
I don't keep gifts around typically, no, but since you know this is sometimes a thing... I would try to think of nice things that you could regift or keep for yourself if they don't come.
Scratch off lotto tickets.
Hand cream. I like aveda's (kind of floraly scent), there's a vaseline one that's intense repair or something, and O'Keefe's might be good. Also add a lip balm for each of them?
If you are in a cool climate, what about some nice scarves? I like the faux cashmere ones and those won't take up much room in luggage. Like blankets, I cannot have too many of these.
Luggage tags? Those could hang out in your closet forever if you wanted monogrammed ones. Or packing cubes? I like the ones from eBags. Or a new toiletry bag?
A small metal ornament.
If they are fans of Starbucks or Dunkin or whatever, reusable sleeves. I like javasok for my iced coffee. There are plenty of knock offs on Amazon but I feel like the javasok fits better/goes on easier.
Reusable tumblers or tervis cups.
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Post by cmpeter on Dec 2, 2022 3:29:10 GMT
No. I wouldn’t want to give a random gift to someone. I’d like it to have meaning.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 2, 2022 3:45:41 GMT
Ha ha ha! You beat me to it!  We don’t keep extra gifts around because we never have surprise guests. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 2, 2022 4:11:49 GMT
Yes I do, and this year I got caught out. I had bought two big tins of Cadbury Roses chocolates last December when they were half price. I was going to keep them in case someone dropped over unexpectedly with a gift for us. I then forgot about them, and only found them at the back of my wardrobe in October, when they were past the "best by" date!
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Post by katlady on Dec 2, 2022 4:16:29 GMT
Since you know there is a chance they'll be there, I would probably just have a box of candies available. But, in general, I don't keep gifts on hand for unexpected guests.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 2, 2022 4:27:36 GMT
Yes I do, and this year I got caught out. I had bought two big tins of Cadbury Roses chocolates last December when they were half price. I was going to keep them in case someone dropped over unexpectedly with a gift for us. I then forgot about them, and only found them at the back of my wardrobe in October, when they were past the "best by" date! I hope you still ate them because I’m sure they were just fine. But this reminds me that I have done that in the past, bought an extra couple bags of Lindt or Ghirardelli chocolates from Costco on sale, “just in case” and then actually used them for teacher gifts, etc. |
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Post by bunnyhug on Dec 2, 2022 4:30:40 GMT
I'm a beginner/intermediate potter, so there are always all manner of bowls and mugs around here that are looking for a good home--last year I sent my whole book club home with 'treasures', and I'd have no problem having something for a literal hoarde of house invaders  |
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,987 
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Post by Nanner on Dec 2, 2022 5:00:58 GMT
No, we don't have guests just drop in.
It would be easy for me on short notice, though. I have lots of tumblers, travel coffee tumblers, mugs, tea towels, journals that I can sublimate if need be. And I can make whatever of these more personal and geared towards a specific person.
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Post by chlerbie on Dec 2, 2022 5:11:14 GMT
I don't generally have drop-in guests, but I've had years we spent at a friends' on Christmas and we all did gift exchange and one year I learned the hosts' parents were going to be there, so I picked up a couple of things for them to open because it's no fun to sit there when everyone is opening a bunch of gifts and you're not.
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 2, 2022 10:19:58 GMT
they were past the "best by" date! I hope you still ate them because I’m sure they were just fine. Yes I did and yes they were! DSO wouldn't eat them because he said they were stale. But it was all in his head. If I hadn't mentioned that they were past their 'best by' date, he wouldn't have known any different. |
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Post by hop2 on Dec 2, 2022 11:23:15 GMT
Well I don’t really get surprise guests - esp not now after my divorce. But I do have an extra fire blanket as they came in multi packs so this year if you gift me unexpectedly you’re getting a fire blanket.
Everyone is getting a fire blanket, no there wasn’t an emergency that spurred this, I just wanted to get one for my kitchen I had 2 fire extinguishers and I wanted to switch one out for a fire blanket as those can be better on cooking fires. I’m not so sure either of my kids apartments have fire extinguishers so I added ones for them. Then I wasn’t sure what to get ex ( yes he will be here & yes he will have a gift for me ) so I added one for him, then I got one for my niece and I just have a bunch now.
Advent calendars & fire blankets are my thing this year.
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Post by Flowergirl on Dec 2, 2022 13:28:59 GMT
 this was my first thought! I was scrolling to see if anyone already posted this!
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Dec 2, 2022 14:13:41 GMT
We don't get any surprise guests, so no, I wouldn't have a 'spare' gift for anyone.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 2, 2022 14:37:35 GMT
Well I don’t really get surprise guests - esp not now after my divorce. But I do have an extra fire blanket as they came in multi packs so this year if you gift me unexpectedly you’re getting a fire blanket. Everyone is getting a fire blanket, no there wasn’t an emergency that spurred this, I just wanted to get one for my kitchen I had 2 fire extinguishers and I wanted to switch one out for a fire blanket as those can be better on cooking fires. I’m not so sure either of my kids apartments have fire extinguishers so I added ones for them. Then I wasn’t sure what to get ex ( yes he will be here & yes he will have a gift for me ) so I added one for him, then I got one for my niece and I just have a bunch now. Advent calendars & fire blankets are my thing this year. LOL. Last year we had such a hard time getting DD to give us a list that I jokingly said if she didn’t come up with something she was getting ramen. Yes, those 29¢ square packs of noodles with the little seasoning pack that you can get in a case of 36 or so at Costco Business Center. DH thought that was so funny that he started saying that he’s just giving everyone ramen this year. |
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,763
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Dec 2, 2022 14:47:03 GMT
Yes I do, and this year I got caught out. I had bought two big tins of Cadbury Roses chocolates last December when they were half price. I was going to keep them in case someone dropped over unexpectedly with a gift for us. I then forgot about them, and only found them at the back of my wardrobe in October, when they were past the "best by" date! You do realise that the *best by date* is merely a suggestion and not a rule. Glad that you were able to enjoy them. I do keep a few little things, like small bags of Lindor Chocolates balls or bath bombs from Lush (great boxing day sale from last year) on hand. I also bake, so always have a loaf of banana or lemon bread in the freezer to give. Guess that I am older as my mom taught me to always have a "hostess-type" gift on hand. A bottle of wine is always a good gift. I was able to purchase a couple of bottles of Cuban dark rum on my vacation. As this is difficult to find, always an excellent gift, especially for a male. |
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Post by maryland on Dec 2, 2022 15:08:15 GMT
We really cut back on gifts so only get for our kids and gift cards for our parents. It has made it so much easier! I am not good at thinking of gift ideas and it really has made me dread the holidays. I have three girls 19-25 and they are so hard to buy for. I was so relieved when my one daughter asked for money towards plane ticket to see her best friend!
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Post by CardBoxer on Dec 2, 2022 15:31:06 GMT
No drop-in guests, just a box with some little inexpensive gifts that occasionally I include with a gift card. Smaller than a peach candle.
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,997
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Post by pilcas on Dec 2, 2022 15:37:56 GMT
We don’t usually have drop in guests but if I knew a day ahead of time or even in the morning
I would just run out and get them a pack of coffee and a box of biscuits. I live in a big city so I can get to a store in 5 minutes and buy hand cream, chocolates or whatever consumable items I deem good. I always go for consumable items because nobody needs more clutter specially with older guests who have all they need or want.
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Post by Merge on Dec 2, 2022 15:42:11 GMT
I kept a supply of age-appropriate birthday gifts on hand when my kids were younger. I'd buy them on clearance and save them for the inevitable class birthday party invites.
But I don't do that for adults. In a pinch, I'll pull a nice bottle of wine out of my own stash and take that along as needed. Lately I've also been rooting and potting houseplants with the intention of having them to give away as gifts, but I have a particularly plant-friendly circle, so that might not be for everyone.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Dec 2, 2022 16:17:53 GMT
Well I don’t really get surprise guests - esp not now after my divorce. But I do have an extra fire blanket as they came in multi packs so this year if you gift me unexpectedly you’re getting a fire blanket. Everyone is getting a fire blanket, no there wasn’t an emergency that spurred this, I just wanted to get one for my kitchen I had 2 fire extinguishers and I wanted to switch one out for a fire blanket as those can be better on cooking fires. I’m not so sure either of my kids apartments have fire extinguishers so I added ones for them. Then I wasn’t sure what to get ex ( yes he will be here & yes he will have a gift for me ) so I added one for him, then I got one for my niece and I just have a bunch now. Advent calendars & fire blankets are my thing this year. LOL. Last year we had such a hard time getting DD to give us a list that I jokingly said if she didn’t come up with something she was getting ramen. Yes, those 29¢ square packs of noodles with the little seasoning pack that you can get in a case of 36 or so at Costco Business Center. DH thought that was so funny that he started saying that he’s just giving everyone ramen this year. Ha! I have given those cases of ramen to college students and they loved it. Sometimes with a restaurant gift certificate for when they’re sick of ramen. Its also a funny white elephant gift in the right social circle. Because the box is large it’s chosen early in the game but usually ends up getting traded a few times. |
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Post by padresfan619 on Dec 2, 2022 16:20:20 GMT
No, I don’t. I don’t want to store anything extra and I don’t like to assume that people drink alcohol or enjoy the scented candles I like. But I’m working on mindless spending and storage of *stuff*.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Dec 2, 2022 19:37:33 GMT
I keep a box of gifts in the hall coat closet. Just for when I need something quick... going to a party or for a hostess gift or birthday dinner. I used a beautiful crystal Christmas tree ornament last week when we were invited to my cousin's house for a post-Thanksgiving party. I don't do scented candles at all, but I like to keep pretty candle holders in my box. I also keep some baby gifts in there -- my kids are the age where their friends are starting to have babies.
It's easier for me to pick up things I like when I see them, than to go searching at the store when I need them.
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Post by melanell on Dec 2, 2022 19:40:59 GMT
Yes. I had a wonderfully sweet aunt who used to keep gifts on hand, and anyone who came to visit her got to choose a gift. And she's where I got the idea.  I tend to change it up a bit from year to year on what kind of gifts I have on hand, but I tend to always have something. One year I did little snack plates with different single serve snack items. I had a mess of snacks on hand and put the plates together based on the person's likes/dietary choices/etc. Another year I had all items from local vendors. A selection of gift cards on hand has worked well in the past, too.  |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 2, 2022 21:38:03 GMT
LOL. Last year we had such a hard time getting DD to give us a list that I jokingly said if she didn’t come up with something she was getting ramen. Yes, those 29¢ square packs of noodles with the little seasoning pack that you can get in a case of 36 or so at Costco Business Center. DH thought that was so funny that he started saying that he’s just giving everyone ramen this year. Ha! I have given those cases of ramen to college students and they loved it. Sometimes with a restaurant gift certificate for when they’re sick of ramen. Its also a funny white elephant gift in the right social circle. Because the box is large it’s chosen early in the game but usually ends up getting traded a few times. That’s a riot! We usually give cases of the good toilet paper for wedding gifts and it’s always very well received. When you’re young and broke and just getting started, it sucks to have to spend your hard earned money on butt wipe. I bet that would get stolen a couple times in a white elephant exchange! |
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Post by mollycoddle on Dec 2, 2022 21:46:36 GMT
LOL. Last year we had such a hard time getting DD to give us a list that I jokingly said if she didn’t come up with something she was getting ramen. Yes, those 29¢ square packs of noodles with the little seasoning pack that you can get in a case of 36 or so at Costco Business Center. DH thought that was so funny that he started saying that he’s just giving everyone ramen this year. Ha! I have given those cases of ramen to college students and they loved it. Sometimes with a restaurant gift certificate for when they’re sick of ramen. Its also a funny white elephant gift in the right social circle. Because the box is large it’s chosen early in the game but usually ends up getting traded a few times. That is a clever gift! |
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this was my first thought! I was scrolling to see if anyone already posted this! 
I tend to change it up a bit from year to year on what kind of gifts I have on hand, but I tend to always have something.
