For the unexpected holiday recipient

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is visiting with family and friends, many of whom I rarely get to see otherwise. Having unscheduled visitors or attending a last-minute rendezvous can be a wonderful treat, but it can also create an uncomfortable situation because these events often involve gifts. If a guest brings you a gift but you didn't have her on your list, or you need a gift for an impromptu party or meal, you could end up embarrassed if you don't have a present to offer.

To make sure you never face this problem, keep some all-purpose gifts on hand, wrapped and with a generic gift tag (e.g. "Happy holidays from the Smith family") with room to fill in the recipient's name at the last minute. Make sure your gift will work for both genders and a variety of ages. A Gift Guru tip: if you choose a gift that you like, you can enjoy any left-over presents when your gifting is done!

Here are some suggestions for all-purpose gifts to keep in stock this holiday season:

• Baked Goods: These are always a treat to receive and add a personal touch to the gift-giving process. You could make the food yourself or buy it from a bakery. Breads and desserts are a good choice that most people enjoy and are easy to package and keep on hand.
• Popcorn: The Christmas popcorn tin may be the classic all-purpose gift, and with good reason. The popcorn is yummy and the tin makes a great storage bin after the last kernel disappears. You could also pop your own and season it with your favorite toppings, such as butter, cinnamon sugar, or caramel, and put it in a bag tied with festive ribbon.
• Drinks: Your favorite bottle of wine or spirits makes an excellent gift and allows you to (honestly) tell your recipient that you love this gift and thought he would too. Other beverage gifts include spiced cider, Russian tea, or another specialty you enjoy. You may also want to consider a nice hot chocolate set or a bag of premium coffee or tea. But be careful: if you choose alcohol as a gift, make sure you don't have any possible recipients who are teetotalers (or keep an alternative gift on hand for them).
• Gift Cards: These are a wise choice if you need gifts for a diverse group of people. Either choose several vendors or stick with one, but make sure that your recipient can purchase something there with the amount you give them. You can't go wrong with cards for movie theaters, restaurants, or Charity Choice (which lets your recipients choose a cause to support with your gift). I recommend avoiding overly practical gift cards like gas and grocery cards, as these seem impersonal and may indicate a lack of effort on your part.
• Blankets: When the temperature drops and the power bills skyrocket, it seems like you can't have enough blankets. Everyone loves a comfy blanket, especially a fleece version. Wrap it up with a seasonal ribbon and you have a guaranteed hit.
• Books: Choose a favorite book that has universal appeal, such as a classic novel or a funny memoir. You could also buy several different books to match different personalities - just make sure to label them somehow after you wrap them so you don't get them mixed up!
• Candles: Most people spend a good deal of time indoors during the winter, and they appreciate when their home smells nice. Just make sure to choose a quality candle, like a Yankee Candle, or a pretty one suitable for display. A word of warning: pick a neutral or popular scent, such as clean linen or vanilla, rather than something your recipients might find unappealing or too strong.
• Ornaments: You can't have too many ornaments, and with all the choices available, chances are low that you will pick one your recipients already have. Add a personal touch with a message like "Happy Holidays from the Jones family" or "Merry Christmas from Matt and Sarah" and you have a gift that will serve as an annual reminder of your friendship. Ornaments also make great repeat gifts - just choose a new design each year and simplify your universal gift-giving. 

Although there are plenty of great gifts that will help you out in a pinch, there are also several you should avoid:

• Personalized Items: Don't choose a gift that you will need to personalize at the last minute or that you mark with something generic (like "Merry Christmas to our friends" without including their names).
• Anything Offensive or Partisan: Remember that you should avoid offensive items in all gift-giving, and all-purpose gifts are no exception. Keep the political books and fart machines out of your gift lineup.
• Sports Items: Even if you live and die by your school's success on the football field, your recipients may not feel the same way. Never give gifts that are more about you than your recipients, and this goes doubly for personal choices like sports teams.
• Fragrances and Lotions: Because these recipients weren't on your original gift list, you probably are not close enough to them for such a personal gift. Stick to something less intimate - many people have allergies or very specific preferences regarding these items.

What are your favorite gifts to keep on hand during the holidays?