What is your go to gift for someone you don't really know?
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
United States
October 28, 2019 7:53pm CST
This can be a gift to a teacher, to a co-worker (drawing them as secret santa), to a postal carrier or to your favorite cashier at the grocery store.
When you are required to, or want to give a gift to a stranger, what do you go with?
If you haven't ever done this, name something you think would be acceptable to give them.
My example is getting a gift for a friend's new boyfriend. I wasn't sure what to get him so I got him an armor all set. Now I just get him some of his favorite foods.
What is your go to gift or does it vary?
14 people like this
15 responses
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
Those are the best I think. I like to make it as uncomfortable for me as possible, though. If I gift to new people, I tend to like to get something that isn't a gift card or cash. I guess because while I like receiving them, I don't think it's a personal enough gift.
2 people like this
@sweetashoney (3597)
• United States
29 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum I agree with you,I think gift cards are among one of the top most impersonal gift there is. To me it's like saying " Here's a card, go get your own gift".
2 people like this
@Ladanger (14572)
• United States
29 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum yeah I do that only so that they can get whatever they want. You can ask people who know the person about what they like.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
29 Oct 19
Food or a gift card is my go to gift for them. Everyone got to eat and everyone uses cash, so it's safe to get them either one. 
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
I agree, those are two of the safest things to go with. Mostly a gift- card though as we never know a person's allergies.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
@sharon6345 I was thinking more along the lines of gift baskets with food you can buy form the store, or just a box of cookies. I've gifted a box of cake mix before and some icing as well. This was one year when my cousin was babysitting her niece and they loved to bake.
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
29 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum
I hadn't thought about allergies...good idea. I would enjoy a gift card too so I figure it's a good gift to give too.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502636)
• Italy
29 Oct 19
A gift card of a grocery store, at least I know that I do nothing wrong.If you know nothing of the person offering food is risky, offering books you do not know if they are appreciated, soaps or perfumes it's not a choice, you do not know the scents they like. A gift card is the solution.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
I've given too many beauty gifts that weren't used. I am making soaps this year but I happen to know my friend's favorite scent. I don't like giving gift cards as I think it is too impersonal,but I also realize it's usually a nice surprise and an easy gift if you aren't acquainted with the person.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
30 Oct 19
@LadyDuck I am lucky that my friends and family know me so well, but there were a few times that I received those perfumes with scents I didn't like, or a candle scented that I wasn't a fan of. Food, however, I do not think I have ever received something I wouldn't eat. I am not very picky, and the things I am picky on I am very vocal about.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502636)
• Italy
30 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum I would never give a "gift card" to a friend or someone of my family, IF I know what they would like. To be honest, I would love to receive a gift card instead of a book that I already own, or a perfume that I dislike or food that I will never eat.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
29 Oct 19
I got a nice Christmas candle holder/decoration from my husband's friend who didn't really know me. I got a box of assorted David's Tea from someone. Those are 2 that stand out that I liked.
I got homemade soap and a scrubby glove and liked that one enough to repeat the idea myself.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
The candle holder is a nice idea.. Even if a person doesn't burn candles, they can place an LED candle for the same effect.
I like tea as a gift as well.
I thin I was gifted a scrubby glove once. I've been going back an forth as to whether I want to make a loofah soap for friends actually.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
@paigea I have seen these type things before. I think they are really pretty. I think my mom even made one years ago, I might be mistaken though. It's really cute.
I've seen a lot of bottle light type things at craft shows and flea markets.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
29 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum if you are artistic
I have also received a painted jar. This kind of idea. The one I received was a Christmas picture.
@Deepizzaguy (122232)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Oct 19
It is usually a package of meals and water as a way of saying "Thank you" for their service of getting my nephew safe from high school as well as taking him to school in the morning.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
Food and Water is definitely an appreciated gift. If I go that route, I want to make sure I get something that is free of major allergens (peanuts, for instance).
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122232)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum The gifs are for the bus driver who takes my nephew from home to high school and back. Sometimes I would give money to a friend who is celebrating a birthday.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
30 Oct 19
Visa gift cards are a good choice. I have been given gift cards by someone and it's usually not for a store that I shop at much. I know you can actually sell the gift card to different reddit groups / on sites, but I tend to just use the gift card anyway. A visa one would be better. This year I told the person what I wanted, so he doesn't get me a gift card.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
30 Oct 19
@CarolDM I got a visa gift card from walmart not too long ago. I think the fee was about $3.00. Less than I was expecting, but yes there is always fees. I would hope the fees go towards manufacturing more of the cards, but I think it probably goes into the pockets of the Visa higher ups.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
30 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum But you have a fee to pay, as you do with everything it seems.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
29 Oct 19
Mugs because it can be used for drinking something. I got the inspiration from my cousin's wedding where the souvenirs are classy looking mugs.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
29 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum I have different varieties of mugs, I like a collection that I can actually use.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
I remember giving mugs to teachers when i was in grade school. That seemed to be the go - to gift. I actually did give a new friend a mug once...
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
@CaptAlbertWhisker My favorite mug is actually made for steeping tea. It is a cat mug and you place the tea into a fish. It's cute.
@Shavkat (141905)
• Philippines
31 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum Indeed, my friend.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
Friendship is a good gift, of course. Or even just a hug or handshake.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
I try not to give gift cards, though I know they are usually the most expected / appreciated gifts.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98026)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Oct 19
I would probably say a gift card so they can get what they like,
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
Maybe a gas station gift card even? Or a visa card so that they can pick whatever store they want to use it in?
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
30 Oct 19
@RasmaSandra They have the kiosks in most stores, especially around this time of year. I know swagbucks used to have a program (not sure if they still do) that if you bought a gift card through them you could earn so many sb's back. I don't do that site anymore, so it wouldn't be an option for me.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98026)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
30 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum any kind of gift card that gives them a choice from any store, online, or gas station You can see how many different gift cards there are online, I even saw a $15 Dairy Queen gift card
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
Candles are always a good thing, but can be tricky with not knowing exactly what scent a person might or might not like.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
30 Oct 19
@Freelanzer We also have to consider pets. There are some scents and essential oils that are harmful to our furry friends.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
30 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum Yes that could be a problem especially if they have scent sensitivities
1 person likes this
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
29 Oct 19
I remember when I was in my Elementary days, during Christmas party we are required to buy a gift that is good for boys and girls, so most of the time we received the same thing as what we give, sometimes it could be an album, a towel, a bath essentials. Lol
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
Haha! I was remembering in elementary school how we were required to give a gift to our teacher at the end of the year. We always got her pencils or a coffee mug.
1 person likes this
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
29 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum That must be a lot of pencils and mugs for her. Lol
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
I guess that would be the safest bet.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
@samysotelo18 Yeah, I'm not really the best at it to be honest. I have ideas but then i always say "no, that's not a good idea."
1 person likes this
@samysotelo18 (7743)
• Mexico
29 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum Yeah probably haha, I'm not that good at gifts for strangers
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Oct 19
I feel like that might have been how my mom got an aloe vera plant one year... someone she didn't quite know gave it to her as a gift. That lasted for many years.
