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My colleague had a large self-inknig custom stamp made with the following 4 characters: WTF?

I was thinking that these would make excellent gifts.

I used to care about these things -- getting unexpected gifts with nothing to give in return.

Then I started to realize that holiday giving is not a SWAP. You (should) give to those you wish to give something to, with no strings attached. You accept, hopefully graciously, what you are given -- No Strings Attached. You don't evaluate the money spent, you don't think "I gave better than I got", you do what is comfortable for you and you are nice when you are given something. If the giver is playing some other game and they are unhappy that you don't reciprocate, maybe it's time for them to learn that EXCHANGING gifts requires an agreement by both parties.

Yes, Sherry, what you said.

kimg924, I like your idea. However, some older people might not get it, and some prudish people might not like it, so it's not all-purpose. Still, as a default gift for friends, it's a funny idea. If you were caught giving the same thing to a number of people, people would probably accept that with a laugh, thinking it was a particular kick you were on.

I'd like to scratch the toy sheep pictured above from the category of all-purpose gift. First, it's useless and it adds to the clutter. Second, strange as it seems, many people don't like to work faux animals into their decor. I really don't like to do so at all, and if there is any trend that I would like to see stamped out, it is the animal head on a plaque trend. This includes all sorts of "funny" replicas of trophies, and the related antler trend.

It's weird in a world so ostentatiously devoted to going "green," that this trend has taken root. If you think about it, the animal head on a plaque shows a deep lack of concern for other species. Yeah, I know it's supposed to be a hip, ironic wink-wink back to the days of lodges and clubs, but it's like a tiresome joke repeated over and over. It's just not cute or funny.

Amen, Sherry!

And Merriam-Webster seems to concur:
gift — n. Something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation

I mean, really... have you ever heard anyone wax rhapsodic about "the spirit of getting"?

I like the spring bulb. I could see hanging several at different heights near a window.

I love that sheep!!!

Emily

Every one of these gifts would be clutter if someone gave it to me. I'm not very fond of stand-by gifts; there's hardly anything that works for everyone. Stand-by gifts tend to look like stand-by gifts.

And I'll have to agree with Sherry, too.

But if you really want to have stand-by gifts, I'd suggest going handmade for the ornaments - there are lots of individual artists making wonderful things. Or you could consider one the the many non-clutter gift options: donations, consumables, etc.

I'm with Jeri-- my favorite "standby" is something edible.

During the holidays, I usually try to have an enormous amount of homemade cookies or candy on hand. And if I end up with left overs, I just toss it out for the Christmas dinner guests to graze on.

Also: it's cheaper...and delicious-er.

Everybody wins!

Any of these gifts would go straight to the thrift store. And not because they're not nice, but because if I wanted or needed them in my house, I'd have already bought them.

I love homemade edible gifts. Someone put their time and love into making something for me, and that makes me feel great. I also am a huge fan of going out for a drink or coffee or lunch as a little "gift" to someone.

Just say no to generic gift giving (aka straight to the dump gifts). Do not want. I'd rather have a sincere thank you in return for a gift I've given.

I'm with those who don't believe in standby gifts because gift-giving is not a quid pro quo arrangement. The idea that it should be is something that is reinforced by companies selling multi-purpose junk that no one really loves and people who are insecure and feel unloved if they don't get something back every time they give something. I often give gifts (usually food I prepare) without any expectation or desire of reciprocation.

I usually have a couple standby gifts available for those "just in case" times. It was something my mother did for years. I always make sure it is something that I will enjoy so that if I don't give it away I can use it myself. Some of my usual standbys are a body wash/lotion set, a gift card to a coed clothing store, a bottle of consumable alcohol, and or a fancy picture frame. I usually try to get something for a child also. I was given a gift once by someone at work with nothing to give in return and though I agree with Sherry it still makes you feel crappy. Lesson learned ~ extra gifts on standby!

:o)

Bring on the edible standbys!

Not all of us would be delighted to receive a toy sheep.

I love lamp... I love lamp.

I am enjoying the comments above about gift giving being a one sided exchange. Though we all know this is technically true, in practice it tends to be quite awkward.
That said, thanks for the reminder that it is about time to start making tiny terrarium and bath salts just in case. . . .

"Standby gifts" can be used for more things than after-the-fact reciprocation. I use them for things like anniversaries, graduations, or sometimes just because a friend comes by and is in need of some impromptu cheering up.

Edibles are the best. The owner of our company is a very wealthy older man and I never know what to get him. The first couple years I just didn't get him anything cuz I had no idea what to get him. This year I tried to think of something ,since everyone always acts like it's important to get him something, but stay in my budget. Finally I gave up and just gave him what everyone else got- a small canister (from the $1 store) of homemade cookies and chocolate dipped pretzel sticks. He said they were excellent and I saw him snacking on them, so I was happy. Next year, it's edibles all around for the office.

Oh, and my mom always had standby gifts on hand when we were kids cuz there was always some b-day party we forgot or didn't have time to shop for. She usually kept a couple Barbies and toy cars on hand.

I just Pottery Barn out of all of their wooden pillars in small, medium, and large. I think I have about 14. The large were on sale for 3.99 from 39.99, the medium were 2.99 from 29.99, the small were 1.99 from 19.99. I also bought a whole bunch of Martha Stewart cutting boards that were normally 6.99 for $2 a piece. There are square, pear shaped, and pineapple shaped ones. I love giving a hostess gift, because most of my friend's A) don't expect it, and B) don't have other friends who would bring them a gift of appreciation for being welcomed into their home, fed, and entertained. I am really happy about the wooden pillars though. My boyfriend thought I was nuts for buying them out, but I will never go to a party empty-handed.