The unexpected gift

Have you ever been caught in the situation where someone presents you with a gift and you have nothing in return?  According to Emily Post there isn't much you can do right in that moment other than offer "Oh you shouldn't have."  If it is early in the holiday season, you can give the person a gift after the fact.  But there are some tips you can take hold of to help make sure this doesn't happen to you again.  You can keep token gifts on hand like ornaments, candy tins and books for such unexpected occasions.  If you aren't interested in exchanging gifts you send a card with holiday wishes early in the season to set the tone that all you are expecting in return is a card.