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10 Generic Gifts, Perfect for Neighbors and Coworkers!

Most moms know about the toy stockpile. These are the small children’s gifts you buy up during sales to have on hand when junior gets invited to last-minute parties. Stockpile gift ideas are the inexpensive, generic gifts that are always a hit. You buy them when he price is right and stash them in a cabinet at home to salvage your sanity through the holiday season.

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Reach for one of these generic gifts when anyone unexpectedly gives you a gift and you want to bypass that awkward response of, “Oh, you shouldn’t have.” Which always translates to mean, “I didn’t get you anything.”

In other words, having a gift stockpile is your way of being prepared to gift a thoughtful item to anyone — without a frantic, unexpected mall trip.

Image of wrapped present next to text overlay that reads generic gifts.
Source: Envato.

Read on for evergreen and generic gift ideas you can pick up anytime of year, and hold onto as needed. Cult classics to fan favorites, these are the presents you’re proud to present, even if someone did slip your mind.

Generic gifts to stockpile

1. Fancy candle

Sand + Paws Scented Candle – Tropical Citrus – Additional Scents and Sizes –Luxurious Air Freshening Jar Candles Neutralize pet Odors and Enhance Home décor – 100% Cotton Lead-Free Wicks – 12 oz
  • PET HOUSEHOLD: Sand + Paws candles…
  • LEAD-FREE WICKS: Our scented…
  • HOME DECOR: We feature beautiful…
  • GIFT CANDLES: These candles will…
  • Top notes: orange and pineapple,…

Everyone loves a luxury candle. Seriously, even those of us who already have a cluster of 10. They look as good as they smell, they double as knickknack on your coffee table, desk or mantel, and they’re basically a collectible. The more the merrier, truly.

2. Leather gloves

Sale
REDESS Winter Leather Gloves for Women, Wool Fleece Lined Warm Gloves, Touchscreen Texting Thick Thermal Snow Driving Gloves
  • WARM AND MATERIAL: 65 percent PU,…
  • TOUCHSCREEN TEXTING: Equipped with…
  • WINDPROOF: The design of extra knit…
  • MULTI PURPOSE: The gloves is…
  • Be Ready for Anything: Be ready for…

Buy a pair or two of leather gloves at the end of the season and stow them away for next winter. You can snag amazing deals on glamorous leather and fur-trimmed pairs when you’re out and about shopping for yourself.

This pair features an ultra warm fool fleece lining and a smooth leather exterior. They’re the ultimate in chic, warm-weather gear.

3. Indulgent skincare set

La Chatelaine Hand Cream Trio Tin, Mothers Day Gift Set, Natural Hand Lotion, Made in France with 20% Organic Shea Butter, Nourishing (Lavender, Lychee Bilberry & Lemon Verbena) 3 x 1 fl oz
  • BELOVED BY CUSTOMERS WORLDWIDE… &…
  • ULTRA-RICH FORMULA: Blended with a…
  • MOISTURIZE & NOURISH: Because of…
  • PLANT-BASED & NOT TESTED ON…
  • 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: We…

La Chatelaine’s hand cream set tackles everyone’s winter concern — hydration — for a modest price tag. The set comes with shea butter lotion in three indulgent scents, lavender, lychee bilberry, and lemon verbena.

4. Amazon gift card

Amazon.com Gift Card in a Gold Reveal
  • Gift Card is affixed inside a…
  • Gift Card has no fees and no…
  • No returns and no refunds on Gift…
  • Gift amount may not be printed on…
  • Scan and redeem any Gift Card with…

I don’t know anyone who couldn’t find a way to use an Amazon gift card. This is better than sending an email, too. The card is wrapped in a pretty gold envelope that your giftee has to unwrap. Even better, you can store a couple of these in a drawer indefinitely, since the gift amount does not expire.

5. Book of affirmations

Sale
Badass Affirmations: The Wit and Wisdom of Wild Women
  • Anderson, Becca (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 220 Pages – 05/15/2018 (Publication…

Maybe you wouldn’t gift this paperback to a guy friend, but any girl would love it. It’s a collection of inspiring quotes from history’s most memorable women, including Madonna and Michelle Obama.

6. Aromatherapy hand soap

Sale
MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN DAY Hand Soap, Made with Essential Oils, Biodegradable Formula, Honeysuckle, 12.5 fl. oz – Pack of 3
  • Hardworking Honeysuckle scented…
  • Liquid hand soap made with…
  • Garden-inspired Honeysuckle hand…
  • Hand Soap made without parabens,…
  • Mrs. Meyer’s products are made with…

Aromatherapy hand soap is both practical and indulgent. This set is a three-pack of Mrs. Meyers biodegradable soap infused with essential oils and a delightful honeysuckle scent. Keep these on hand as a gift that’ll work for any gender.

7. Fleece blanket

GO Sherpa Blanket Emerald Green Throw Blanket – Twin 60”x80” 240GSM Warm Comfy, Super Soft & Plush Throw for Bed, Couch, Sofa – Fluffy Lightweight Cozy Fuzzy Blankets for Women, Men, Kids
  • ULTIMATE COMFORT & ALL-SEASON…
  • ENHANCED DURABILITY & EASY CARE –…
  • STYLISH & VERSATILE – Add a touch…
  • PERFECT GIFT IDEA – Delight…
  • KIDS & PETS ADORE IT – Our travel…

The gift of warmth always goes over well in the winter months. Well, unless you live in Hawaii. But everyone else will love keeping this sherpa fleece throw on the couch, where it can provide cozy comfort while watching TV.

8. Cooling blanket

Ailemei Direct Cooling Throw Blanket for Hot Sleepers,Double Sided Cold Effect, Lightweight Breathable Summer Bed Blanket for Couch, Transfer Heat to Keep Body Cool Night Sweats,50″x70″
  • JAPANESE COLD FIBER : Ailemei…
  • DOUBLE-SIDED COOLING EFFECT…
  • BREATHABLE AND COMFORTABLE : Due to…
  • EASY TO CLEAN – MACHINE & HAND…
  • BLANKET TO-GO – EASY TO CARRY &…

And for our Hawaii people (or anyone who runs hot), a cooling throw blanket may be just the ticket. The blanket is made of Japanese cold fiber and has a satin feel. It’s also machine washable.

9. Leather journal

Leather Journal Notebook(6×8 in) – Vintage Leather Bound Journals Handmade Rustic Finish Book for Men and Women Unlined Leather Craft Paper 300 Pages, Leather Notepad Diary, Pocket Diary to Write in
  • ★ HANDCRAFTED FROM GENUINE…
  • ★OUR 1 YEAR REPLACEMENT PROMISE &…
  • ★ THICK UnlINED PAPER: 300 pages…
  • ★ TELL YOUR STORY: We designed…
  • ★ THE PERFECT GIFT QUALITY YOU…

A vintage leather bound journal is always a classy gift. This one is handcrafted from real leather and is available in three sizes. It contains 300 sheets of thick, unlined paper — so writers and artists alike will enjoy this beautiful book.

Which of these generic gifts will you add to your stockpile?