Standby Stash....

[christmascreations]

So with the potential cleaning out of the gift closets to start fresh with MHH what are your basic gifting standby's that you try to keep in stock????

I usually have soaps, creams, lotions, candles, notepads, notecards, journals, etc.....

What are some of your basics???

 

[MrsSoup]

I've never kept anything in stock like that. Never really thought about it.

 

[Gingerbug]

Mrs Soup....I think I remember you move a lot??? Military??? So a gift closet might be a pain for you. But I LOVE it....I find goodies all year long on clearance or on sale and tuck them away. When a birthday or other event rolls around I have plenty to choose from. It has really helped my budget.

 

[jackfrosty]

I don't like to get too much of those little things as I try to be more specific for people. But The tea towels and little ornaments came in handy for teachers and drop-in friends this year-as long as I don't stock too much. Best deal-salt water taffy in a white pretty mug tied with a red ribbon. Bought after Valentines for 25 cents!

 

[DahliaDoll]

About the only things I seem to stock up on for gifting are items that I have knitted. I usually have at least one baby afghan on hand and towels and wash cloths to make baby towels. I also keep an afghan that makes a nice wedding gift (or like last year I needed something to donate to an auction), and sometimes a scarf or two . . . and always a bunch of dish cloths.

 

[momof4]

I try to keep similar things as you do, christmascreations...candles, lotion, notecards, etc. I also buy a few ornaments to have on hand. I try not to have too much because I end up with a bunch of stuff before I realize it and can't always use it up. One thing I have been buying, though, are generic toys - art sets, craft supplies, games, etc. - for birthday party gifts. It seems my kids are always being invited to a bday party for a kid they don't really play with much. I look for clearance items whenever I can.

 

[Ahorsesoul]

I really don't have any stock items that I always keep on hand.

I do remember as a child when I went to visit one Aunt if it was my birthday or near Christmas, she would excuse her self for a few minutes and then appear with a gift for me. I finally figured out she had a gift closet. She had little tags on the outside of the wrapping that said what age the gift was for and either boy or girl or both. I figured this out because a few time she had forgotten to take the tag off. lol It was nice to get a gift. It made you feel very special. Most gifts were games that covered different ages and were ok for either boy or girl. They were always a brand name toy.

I also remember she used plain colored paper for her gifts. Then she had different types of holiday bows to put on the package. And she must have had a stock of greeting cards too. It's nice to see that people are starting this habit again. It's a wonderful way to make people feel very special.

I can see keeping some small baskets of lotions for this purpose. I'll work on it this next year.

 

[Holiday Joy]

I'll buy gifts with extended family members in mind over the course of the year and we might not end up exchanging gifts after all for one reason or another. I have a couple of gifts like that this year that will go into storage for next year, probably for the same intended recipients. I also put together some cute sewing kits and kids baking kits that didn't find homes this year. I'll have to try harder next year!

I have a hard time finding homes for lotions, bath gels, etc. Maybe I need to make 'foster care' kit bags with these types of items if they're not given away by Christmas.

 

[Twinkle]

Mostly have kid stuff I can use for birthday parties, traveling, any Holidays, etc

kids books (reading/activity)
Crayons
Stickers
kid games
art sets

 

[Lana]

I keep about the same items. I like picture frames, anklet socks (you can get for $1 in several varities), seasonal dish towels. My gift drawer is pretty bare I do believe. I was trying to clear it out over the holidays so can start again!!!! I also have what I call a "SPECIAL TOTE" for my kids. A 23 yr. old son and a 20 yr old daughter. Anyway I buy seasonal towels, knick knacks, some dishes for assorted holidays, a crystal ornament. At target last year I got like valentine dishes and a candle and cake pan in a heart shape. Oven mitts. Just items to be used in their house and I hope to present it to them when they get married or like maybe a first christmas together. They don't know about it. Actually I think I need to move on to a BIGGER tote for them both. Have like heart shape napkin rings. Things that I think are kinda neat to have BUT usually no money to buy when first married or out on your own.
Lana

 

[KimD]

Other than things for the kids to give at friends birthday parties not really. When I make things for people they do end up in there.

 

[teachermomof2]

I have a few things in the closet for quick gifts. I have candles, tarts, notecards, bath stuff, lotions and washclothes/hand towels. It makes my life easier. I hope to pick up a few things this week to add to it for next Christmas.

Lana, I love the special tote idea. My kids are still too young for that idea, but I will definitely put it in my mind for the future.

:bigsnow:

 

[CreativeChristmas]

Many of you have already mentioned things I keep on hand but one that wasn't were Sudoko (spelling?) books. I went and grabbed one to help fill a grab bag/exchange for Christmas and it ended up being one of the "HOT" items. They always go over well with late teens - thru adult (great for grandparents too!)

I also like to keep/rotate a gift card to a place like Panera or Starbucks. I don't want it to get old but these are great for quick gifts and people always like them. Not really a savings but I keep one on hand (I usually start it off with one I receive).

 

[MrsSoup]

Mrs Soup....I think I remember you move a lot??? Military??? So a gift closet might be a pain for you. But I LOVE it....I find goodies all year long on clearance or on sale and tuck them away. When a birthday or other event rolls around I have plenty to choose from. It has really helped my budget.

We move about once a year, usually. This year will be different though. However, that's not really the reason I don't keep a gift closet, I just like to shop for the individual person.

 

[christmascreations]

Mrs.Soup I shop for each individual also but I use soaps, lotions, notepeads, and such as basket fillers to add to the individual gifts. And buying them on clearance saves me alot of money!!! Sometimes I will see something I think an individual will like and keep it in my gift closet til their birthday but I like to have lots of other fairly cheap(price wise) items on hand!!!

 

[appleton]

My stash includes some of the items others have listed. Not sure if anyones mentioned: kitchen towels & gadgets, coffee cups/mugs, glassware, photo albums, handmade goodies (like jewelry, bookmarks, home decor), wallets, makeup bags or brushes & gift sets (love Burts Bees smaller sized sets). I like to have just a few of these on hand just in case something slips up on me.

 

[Twinkle]

Mmmm Panera Bread I would not have to worry about that getting old because I would use it!!!