# Cheap/Nice Gifts to Keep on Hand for Last Minute Parties **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 22, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157 "2013-07-22T02:39:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/1 "2013-07-22T02:39:41Z")
So it occurred to me a little while ago when I was running late to a last minute birthday party - that it would be nice to have a few things on hand for last minute invites to parties and such. I bought two copies of: > **[Geek Logik: 50 Foolproof Equations for Everyday Life: Sundem, Garth:...](https://www.amazon.com/Geek-Logik-Foolproof-Equations-Everyday/dp/B003NHR71C)** > > Geek Logik: 50 Foolproof Equations for Everyday Life \[Sundem, Garth\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Geek Logik: 50 Foolproof Equations for Everyday Life And was able to put it into use today for the first time. Lots of my friends are geeks - so this is likely to come in handy for me - and I think the person that got it will actually read it/find it amusing. Anyway - looking for some more suggestions for the future. I was thinking candles might be nice. Most of the time I need these for people I’m not really close to - so I’m looking for something in the $25.00 and under range. Also - is there a name for this? Catch all gift? Do you do this? Doesn’t have to be good for everyone - but should be not overly specific. Wouldn’t mind having one for kids as well. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/2 "2013-07-22T02:50:28Z")
I don’t have any gift suggestions, but did want to let you know that the term “gift closet” is often used to refer to gifts that you keep on hand to give out at the last minute. If you do a search on “gift closet” you’ll find various articles and lists that might give you some ideas. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/3 "2013-07-22T09:54:30Z")
With the popularity of smartphones now I’d keep some USB battery packs as gifts. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/4 "2013-07-22T10:30:34Z")
It will depend on your friends, of course, but I find that food (coffee, chocolates, fancy jams) or wine usually work well for a host/hostess gift and sometimes also for birthday gifts. I hate giving people more stuff they’ll have to find a place for, so I try to go with something edible. Some people feel very strongly against gift cards, but I think that a couple of $25 gift cards for something like Amazon or Target are good things to have around, too. Also, a box of cards. A couple of generic Happy Birthday ones, a couple of Get Wells, maybe a Congratulations… you know your gang of friends better, so you can decide what needs to be in there. Lots of kids? You’ll need graduation cards. Lots of old folks? You may need some sympathy cards. While I usually go and buy cards one at a time for specific events, I’ve been stuck a few times and been grateful for my card box. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/5 "2013-07-22T13:14:38Z")
You can’t keep them around, of course, but flowers are an easy thing to pick up that are often charming and don’t clutter up someone’s life. And you can pay as much or as little as you like. I’ve had especially good results running into an actual florist’s and saying “I want to spend $X for a [whatever], can you pick out some loose stems that you like?” Florists often will put together classy, quirky, unusual choices and loose stems are much cheaper than an arrangement. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/6 "2013-07-22T13:23:36Z")
Yes, I do this. I collect gift bags and cards from Target’s dollar spot too. Our default gift for adults is a bottle of wine; we have a favorite that is usually in stock at our house, so we just take one of those with us. If we have any special edible in the house, in an unopened package, we might give that as a gift too. As others have said, it feels nicer to give things that will be consumed. Candles should be unscented. Lots of people detest scented candles. And lots of people love them. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/7 "2013-07-22T13:32:00Z")
**Adults** I keep a couple of these around because most people don’t have a a high quality wine de-corker, such as this: > **[Amazon.com: Rabbit Wine Corkscrew with Foil Cutter, 1 EA, Black: Wine Accessory...](https://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Wine-Corkscrew-Cutter-Black/dp/B00004SQ0K)** > > Online Shopping for Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets from a great selection at everyday low prices. Free 2-day Shipping with Amazon Prime. Also: Wine Wine charms Cocktail napkins with funny/cute sayings on them Stemware (pick these up on sale) Stationery, such as notecards and a book of stamps Scented candles Bath and body lotion Glass blown ornaments (seasonal) **Kids** $20 iTunes cards Bubbles! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/8 "2013-07-22T13:42:26Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > I don’t have any gift suggestions, but did want to let you know that the term “gift closet” is often used to refer to gifts that you keep on hand to give out at the last minute. If you do a search on “gift closet” you’ll find various articles and lists that might give you some ideas. My mother had or has a “gift closet” containing boxes of chocolate, vases and other decorative knickknacks. There’s a different closet containing the wrapping paper, bows and greeting cards. And I think she bought a pack of a couple dozen assorted greeting cards for various occasions. (Have you ever _priced_ the cards at the Hallmark store? They are usually three to five bucks _each_.) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/9 "2013-07-22T13:56:37Z")
My mom’s friends go outlet shopping every so often and hit, say, the Lenox outlet after Christmas. They pick up things like holiday themed bowls or wine glasses for a buck or two and save them for presents for people they don’t really know, or if they get invited to a party, or whatever. I’ve always thought that was so smart. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/10 "2013-07-22T14:04:18Z")
Mrs. Duc has a rabbit that twists and stuff, but it won’t open wine… Anyway, I vote for [scissors](http://www.amazon.com/J-A-Henckels-International-5-Piece-Scissors/dp/B00007BKRW). Can you \*\*EVER \*\*find a nice pair when you want? No. The kids have taken them, or you left them in the bathroom, or they’re in the [junk drawer](http://www.talkingdollarsandcents.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/junk-b4-1.jpg) where you can’t find anything you actually need. Or you can go the[kids/craft version](http://www.walmart.com/ip/18-Piece-Rotating-KraftEdger-Scissors-Caddy-Set/19228385)as well… Of course, I’ve never met a kid who wasn’t fascinated with a [switchblade](http://www.bladeplay.com/item--Delta-Force-DA-OTF-Automatic-Knife--12304). My daughter has a few. She likes bubbles, too. YMMV. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/11 "2013-07-22T14:04:37Z")
I once heard a piece of advice regarding gifts that has served me well. It should always be consumable. This means either food, booze, or tickets to something. Anything that the person will have to keep and find room for in their home (and pretend to love each time you visit) is bad form. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/12 "2013-07-22T15:06:11Z")
+1 for wine and/or chocolate When we are out and about, I’m always on the lookout for [oddball bottles](http://www.inetours.com/ImagesWT/ch_av/Meeker_bottle.jpg) or choc like [this](http://www.montezumas.co.uk/chocolate-gifts/spotted-dick-bar.html) for folks back in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/13 "2013-07-22T15:33:22Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > Yes, I do this. I collect gift bags and cards from Target’s dollar spot too. > > Our default gift for adults is a bottle of wine; we have a favorite that is usually in stock at our house, so we just take one of those with us. If we have any special edible in the house, in an unopened package, we might give that as a gift too. As others have said, it feels nicer to give things that will be consumed. > > Candles should be unscented. Lots of people detest scented candles. And lots of people love them. Instead of the bottle of wine I would recommend a bottle of fancy olive oil instead. I can’t count the number of wine bottles that have been given to me even though I do not drink alcohol. If you’re not great friends with the folks you’re giving the gift to, you probably wouldn’t know their drinking habits so alcohol is iffy. However, I can’t think of anybody I know who would not have a use for olive oil. It also stores a long time. The one time someone gave me a fancy olive oil, it was really the best. Especially since the bottle was shaped like a wine bottle, it was a very pleasant surprise for me. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/14 "2013-07-22T16:23:15Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Mrs. Duc has a rabbit that twists and stuff, but it won’t open wine… If it works well, she won’t need any wine. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/15 "2013-07-22T16:27:07Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > Instead of the bottle of wine I would recommend a bottle of fancy olive oil instead. I can’t count the number of wine bottles that have been given to me even though I do not drink alcohol. If you’re not great friends with the folks you’re giving the gift to, you probably wouldn’t know their drinking habits so alcohol is iffy. However, I can’t think of anybody I know who would not have a use for olive oil. It also stores a long time. > > The one time someone gave me a fancy olive oil, it was really the best. Especially since the bottle was shaped like a wine bottle, it was a very pleasant surprise for me. People who never cook. No matter what you pick, you’ll find someone without any use for it whatsoever. For a long time at our house it was bottles of scotch. Good scotch. We drink, we don’t drink scotch. We had the best collection of single malts for a house of non-scotch drinkers ever! Eventually, it got around that wine or bourbon were preferred in the house, and now we have to buy scotch for our parties. In addition to wine and Target gift cards (mostly for the kids when we suddenly have a birthday), we keep the sampler cubes of tea on hand from here: [http://www.harney.com/tea-gifts.html](http://www.harney.com/tea-gifts.html) I’m really big on consumables for this sort of gift as well. And something pretty standard that can be regifted. Because, see the second sentence. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/16 "2013-07-22T16:59:23Z")
I just felt that the added baggage of perhaps giving alcohol to a recovering alcoholic without knowing is a much bigger faux pas than giving olive oil to a person who doesn’t cook or eat salads. I mean, I am not a recovering alcoholic, but there are plenty of people that are (and don’t mention it) and I personally wouldn’t want to take that chance. But I suppose there’s just as many people that could be allergic to chocolate, or that nut jar, or that scented candle, so really, what IS the best choice… Honestly, I’m glad I’m hardly ever in an “insta-gift” sort of situation. ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/17 "2013-07-22T17:13:34Z")
My wife likes phototography, so we periodically have her pictures made into covers on small gift cards through Shutterfly. They are cheap and you can write “Happy Birthday”, “Congratulations”, or whatever the occasion is without the canned card titles that are restrictive. As far as the gifts go, wine for adults is always a good choice. My wife likes specific wines and gets ones she doesn’t like as gifts. When that occurs, they go in the closet with a post-it note of who gave it to us so we don’t accidentally regift back to them :). If they are a kid or there is some question as to whether they like wine, we usually have one or two Amazon gift cards and local restaurant gift cards on hand. If we receive a giftcard for something we don’t want, that goes into the same closet with a post-it note as well. ---
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nice-gifts-to-keep-on-hand-for-last-minute-parties/664157/18 "2013-07-22T17:43:06Z")
I usually have a Lush bath bomb or unopened bath product around that I just haven’t got around to using myself. Some lavender scented epsom salts came in super handy when I was on my way to visit a friend with a new baby. I like to grab stuff for kids from the dollar spot at Target. I watch for 50-70% off sales then grab a bunch of coloring books or board books. Right now I have a glut of Baby Burts Bees products that I got for $1.99 each in the discount bin at the grocery store. For a while every baby show gift I gave had a Baby Sesame Street board book that I got for 30 cents instead of a card. Basically I just collect stuff that’s on crazy sale that I like and would possibly use myself that could also be used in case of a gift need. Doesn’t come up too often that I need an emergency gift, and I’m precariously teetering towards hoarder.