Nobody likes to be the person who is given a gift, but is empty handed when it comes to reciprocity. For some it happens yearly, for others more frequently, the answer is oh so simple. I adhere to a strick rule of having a whole shelf of emergency gifts, but I realise it is not truly necessary.

However, those emergency gifts have been my saving grace more times then I care to recall. For, I am the type of person that deplores being unprepared. So, here is a list of a few of the items I have on that shelf, feel free to follow suit: scented candles of varying sizes, a set of wine glasses, bags of specialty teas and cocoas, flavoured cooking oils in decorative containers. They are all appreciated by men and women alike, so I know I am always covered. The pricing range is good too, so I can exchange on the same financial level as the individual’s gift I received unexpectedly.