With the holidays rapidly approaching, I’ve always had a difficult time finding small gifts for co-workers, employees, or friends that wish to do a gift exchange. With a well-stocked treasure chest, you’ll never panic for a last-minute hostess gift or a welcome token for a new neighbor. If you make careful choices and add to the stash throughout the year, it could be your source for hassle-free Christmas shopping.
1. Designate a closet or cupboard to hold your gift stash, or buy an attractive trunk or cabinet.
2. Buy a small notebook and jot down the names of people to whom you routinely give gifts, whether on birthdays, Christmas or other holidays. Include details such as sizes, favorite colors, hobbies and special interests. (Even if you forget to carry the book with you, having committed the information to writing should spark your memory.)
3. Keep your eyes open in your travels, on routine shopping trips or when you’re surfing the Net. When you see a book on steam locomotives that would be just the ticket for Uncle John’s birthday, or a handwoven coverlet your mother would love, buy it and add it to your treasure chest.
4. Add a range of high-quality generic gifts. Homemade preserves and mustards, bottles of wine, hand-dipped candles, reference books and attractive picture frames are all good choices.
5. Don’t return unneeded gifts to the store when someone gives you a book or CD you love but already own, or a beautiful scarf that clashes with your eyes. Instead, add it to your gift stash; if you like it, chances are it will please someone else you know.
6. Keep a few toys and children’s books on hand, even if you don’t have children.
7. Include an assortment of gift bags, wrapping paper, tape, ribbon, gift tags and greeting cards.
8. Prewrap a few items to serve as truly last-minute gifts, and tuck a note into the ribbon identifying the contents.
- WARNING: If your stash includes presents you’ve received, attach a note to each one saying who gave it to you; you’ll avoid the embarrassment of giving it back to the giver.
