Keep Presents on Hand with a Well-stocked Gift Closet

Keep Presents on Hand with a Well-stocked Gift Closet

Do you know folks who are fabulous gift-givers? The ones who—whether it’s your birthday or a dinner party or the office holiday gathering—show up with just the most thoughtful, perfect, appropriate thing? We got advice from a couple of them and uncovered one of their secrets: The gift closet.

Our gift-giving experts are Anne Cuddy, an editorial director for greeting cards, and Karen Kawallek, a manager on our digital asset management team. Both have adorable small dogs.

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A gift closet is…  

KAREN: Well, first—

BOTH: It’s not always a closet.

ANNE: It can be any kind of container.

KAREN: Like a milk crate or plastic bin or vintage wire crate. Mine is an actual closet in a guest room. I collect things in open bins stashed in the closet.

ANNE: Mine is always in my kitchen cabinet, where normal people would put their dishes. Along with the gifts, I have gift wrap and fancy pens and a few cards.

Actual definition: A gift closet is a place you store gifts before you give them.

You need a gift closet because…  

ANNE: I started mine because I’d see something on sale, and I was like, “If I buy it now, I’ll have it later.” So I buy six of them, because it’s a deal. It’s about finding the perfect thing and reserving it instead of settling for something you love less when you have to go shopping at the last minute.

One year, I was so excited about a book I’d read that I bought like seven copies. It saves me from trying to be thoughtful later, when I’m busy.

KAREN: I have a gift closet for the unexpected invite or sudden need for a gift. Like when the kiddo across the street comes over and says, “It’s my mom’s birthday and my dad wants me to ask you to come over and have some cake.” I bought a bunch of travel mugs in different colors, and I know she loves coffee, so there we go.

During the holiday season, I keep a couple of gift bags with candy or generally suitable gifts under the Christmas tree. When a friend I don’t normally exchange presents with stops by with a little something, I can say, “Oh, hey! One of these is for you!”

ANNE: One year, I did chocolate truffles and a tiny bottle of champagne. I got extras, so if someone stopped by right before the holidays with a gift, I had something for them. And it’s a nice gift!

KAREN: It’s just not super personal.

ANNE: It’s like you’re fighting thoughtfulness with more thoughtfulness.

KAREN: It’s defensive thoughtfulness.

Favorite gift closet items include…  

ANNE: First, it has to be something I would want for myself—something that if my friend sees it, she’s like “where’s mine?”

KAREN: And quality. It has to be high quality.

Other good qualities for gift closet gifts:

  • On sale
  • Useful—not a dust-collector
  • Special—a treat or indulgence
  • Not too personal—so you could give it to multiple people
  • Something you liked/tried/read/loved
  • Nonperishable or has a reasonably long shelf life
  • Unique—either by itself or in the way you give it
  • Add-ons—little things you can give with bigger gifts

Important question: Can you put things you’d like to re-gift in the gift closet?
A: Yes, if they’re cool and good quality, but just not right for you.

Here’s a whole post about adding personal touches to simple gifts.

More gift closet essentials  

For truly successful, um, “defensive thoughtfulness,” it helps to keep a few additional supplies on hand: