Christmas 911 - Unexpected Gifts

One of the biggest problems that causes anxiety during the holidays is unexpected gifts. There's always at least one person that gives you a Christmas gift that you weren't expecting. This can send you into panic mode. After all, you thought you were done shopping. Not to mention, it's often someone you barely know and you have no idea what to get them. Then there's the fact that you're standing there empty handed with no gift to give in return. Take a deep breath and calm yourself. This doesn't have to be a reason for alarm. There are ways to casually handle the unexpected Christmas gift.

Excuses

First of all, you need an excuse as to why you don't have a gift to give in return. There are a number of excuses you can use. The most common is that you haven't finished your Christmas shopping yet. Another favorite is having left the gift at home. You can also say that you haven't wrapped the gift yet though this one can get you in trouble depending on what you plan to give the person in return. Be careful about which excuse you blurt out so that you don't put yourself in an awkward position later down the road.

Consider the Unexpected Gift

You should take time to think about the thought and money that went into the gift you just received. If the person put a lot of thought into buying you the perfect gift, you should do the same for her. You also should try and purchase a gift that is comparable in price. Both of these can be hard if you don't know the person very well or if you're on a budget. There are however some gifts that work for almost anyone.

Gifts to Give in Return

Gift cards can be a lifesaver. You do have to remember that if you used the excuse that the gift wasn't wrapped, this gift won't work. Also, gift cards don't take a lot of thought. If the person obviously spent a lot of time picking out your gift, you should do the same or at least give them something that takes a lot of work. Homemade gifts can be the best gifts of all. Homemade gifts usually take more time to prepare than they cost, which means they are perfect for those on a budget. Homemade candy, cookbooks and crafts are usually a great option.

Ask Around

If the person obviously spent a lot of time picking out your gift, you should do the same. Consider how you know the person and who else may know her. If it's someone from the office, speak with other coworkers that may know her better. If it's a neighbor, ask some of the other neighbors about what she likes. In most cases, you probably have common friends and these friends can help you decide which gift would be a real winner.