My Mom Taught Me This Brilliant Gifting Trick, and It Saves Me from Awkward Holiday Moments

Everyone enjoys a sweet treat during the holidays, and I have personally witnessed people tell my mom how much they loved this gourmet popcorn. The variety pack includes three flavors, and they’re all a crunchy, sweet-and-salty dream. She says she usually finds them on sale this time of year, which is all the more reason to stock up.

A hand soap and lotion gift set was always a fixture in my mom’s stash of emergency gifts. People tend to be less picky about hand-care products versus body care items, and this C.O. Bigelow duo has a fresh, clean scent that anyone would love. Plus, the vintage apothecary-inspired packaging is too cute! All you need to do is add a bow.

No matter who your giftee is, they probably have an errand or two they’ve been putting off — that’s where this Papier list pad comes in. The minimalist layout will help them keep track of all their looming tasks and adds a touch of style to their desktop, too.

Candles are one of my mom’s go-to emergency gifts, particularly ones in crisp clean scents that would appeal to most people. Boysmells’ Minty Candle is exactly that, with notes of wild mint and zesty ginger. And while the brand’s candles are normally on the pricier side, you can snag one for only $19 right now, which is a huge deal! The perfect time to grab multiple if you ask me.

Soaps or sweets? This giftable box set of 12 mini soaps will leave your giftee wondering, with its delectable color selection and yummy fragrances. My mom would keep a box of these on hand or split one box between two gifts to make festive holiday goodie bags.

You know what they say, great gifts come in small Baggus. The Baby Baggu is a tinier version of the viral reusable bags, perfect for impromptu purchases or even for packing work or school lunches. Picking from the brand’s bold, playful prints is half the fun. And at only $12 a pop, it’s a gift you can feel good about stocking up on.

Candy is always a good idea, according to my mom, especially if it comes in a festive package. These chewy, sour Santa gummies are just the kind of thing she keeps in her present stockpile. They’re holiday-forward and ready to gift with a bow on top — all you need to do is add a gift tag.

Iced coffees or iced matchas — it doesn’t matter what your giftee drinks. They’ll enjoy doing it from this glass amber tumbler. The stylish yet low-key design is totally cupholder-friendly and actually leakproof (I make my daily iced shaken espressos in one of these!). Plus, the two-pack gives you two gifts for the price of one.