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?

For the host(ess)

The Christmas season brings unique challenges for gift-givers, like buying for the teenager who is never satisfied and making conversation with the odd and distant relative who insists on coming to dinner this year. There is also the recurring issue of host(ess)* gifts, which are certainly not limited to the holiday season but seem to arise more frequently during this time.

*I will use the female form in this post, for simplicity's sake, but I readily acknowledge that men can and do make great hosts who deserve an equally special gift. If you are giving to a couple, choose a less feminine gift that both hosts will enjoy.

Hostess gifts show your appreciation for being invited to the event (and ensure that you will be at the top of the guest list next year). Although they are not required for every event you attend, a gift is always a nice way to say thank you. A good rule of thumb is to use the event's length and degree of formality to guide you in what to bring. Gifts are required for overnight visits and formal dinner parties and optional for cocktail parties and casual meals.

Remember, gift giving is not about you, and this applies doubly to hostess gifts. Feel free to bring a gift of food or drink, but don't expect that it will be served at the event. If your hostess chooses to do so, that is perfectly fine, but realize that the menu was set before your gift arrived and may not accommodate your nonetheless appreciated present. Your gift is first and foremost for the hostess, and once it is received she is free to do with it as she likes.

Here are some ideas to help you find the perfect gift for your hostess, regardless of the event you are attending:

• Food: desserts are always a hit, but breads or your specialty dish will also do the trick. Try to make the dish something that is easy to transport and fuss-free.
• Drink: wine, spirits, or a non-alcoholic beverage (like sweet tea or lemonade) is a nice treat for the hostess to enjoy later, or serve at the event if she chooses
• Restaurant gift certificate: say "thank you" for your hostess's hospitality by giving her a meal that she doesn't have to prepare
• Flowers: have them delivered if possible; if not, be sure to bring them in a vase so your hostess doesn't have to find a container while welcoming guests
• Ornament: an appropriate choice for holiday parties
• Token from home: if you are gifting to a person in a different geographic locale, think about bringing an item that represents your home area, such as a local delicacy or craft

Monogrammed tray from The Stationery Studio ($46); they also have Lucite versions for $98

Games are a great choice for frequent entertainers. I am a big fan of Would You Rather?, Electronic Catch Phrase, and Apples to Apples.

Custom House monogrammed coasters ($15.95 for 50)

State dish towels ($20) from Uncommon Goods, also available in city, region, and country styles

Mingle plates from Pottery Barn ($24 for 4)

Wine preserver from Brookstone ($29.95)

Monogrammed pillar candle ($24.99) from Simply Southern

Wine cork place card holders ($15 for 8) from Uncommon Goods

No matter what gift you choose, be sure to send a thank you note promptly after the event. I love this Lilly Pulitzer set ($60 for 25 cards) from The Stationery Studio.

What are some of your favorite hostess gifts to give or receive?