I can never have too many...

[nou]

ghoti posted a list of 5 things they felt they could never have too many of, for the times when someone wanted to give them a small present. I thought this was a great idea and (with permission) am hereby memeing it.

My list is:

• postcards with thoughtful messages on
• tiny bottles/packets/jars of interesting seasonings
• gel pens in any colour other than blue
• small packets of unusual types of rice
• themed postal stamps (i.e. ones that cost the same as normal stamps but have different pictures on)

What's yours?

Comments

[spiralsheep]

I've never given anyone seasonings but that's an excellent idea.

My friends and I tend from anti-clutter to aggressive minimalism so we only rarely do material presents instead of vouchers but I have a shelf in the kitchen for presents from small children (arts n crafts, stones, feathers, small plastic toys, and "treasure" generally). The one thing I can never have too many of and, indeed, already have duplicates of in a drawer are small Lego polybags (the buildable ones such as Mixels or vehicles, not lone minifigures) because they provide instant occupation and entertainment for me children and one or two fit easily in my handbag when necessary.

[nou]

Ooh, I didn't know about Lego polybags — they look pretty neat. I like your idea of a present shelf too!

I'm fairly anti-clutter but I use lots of rice and stamps and seasonings, while gel pens and postcards don't take up much space.

[fred_mouse]

The only one I can think of is book marks. Pretty much everything else I already have too much of. Once upon a time, I made the mistake of saying 'tea', and I'm still getting over that (although, a single sample tea bag might be fine). And while I eat a lot of chocolate, it isn't a good idea.

On the topic of stamps - used/collected unused, or for later use?

[nou]

Once upon a time, I made the mistake of saying 'tea', and I'm still getting over that

This made me actually LOL IRL. I totally know what you mean.

I bought a load of matching tins to store tea in, so now I'm not letting myself buy new tea until a previous tea has been used up, thus freeing its tin.

Stamps: for later use! I like sending people (particularly children) little letters or postcards.

[fred_mouse]

My rule on tea is 'must fit in the drawer'. Other than the bulk packets I buy, which go in the cupboard, and a jar full goes in the drawer. Amazingly useful for stopping impulse buys.

Stamps: Ah. No use offering some interesting ones I have around then, because they aren't going to be useful to you (I have quite a few unused ones, because I use them slowly, and AustPost keeps upping the charges).

[nou]

The annoying thing is there's a tea shop I really really want to visit, but I must use up other tea first! I had some vanilla Ceylon this afternoon specifically to get things moving on that front. I'm not sure I like it, but I'm not sure I dislike it either. It does seem to work better without milk.

Re your unused stamps, do they become unusable when prices go up, then? Here we have (as well as stamps with specific prices printed on them, used for e.g. heavy parcels) first class and second class stamps, and even if the price goes up you can still use the old ones. Is your system different, or am I misunderstanding?

It might be amusing to try posting a letter in the UK with Australian stamps on, though :)

[fred_mouse]

The unused stamps don't so much become unusable as irritating. I often end up buying a pack of 10 of the next price, because I don't have the required matching values to make a 'correct' postage. I have to remember to get 5c or 10c stamps to add to the old ones, and while the post offices all stock them, not all of the post agencies do.

It would be amusing for a short while with the send UK mail with AU stamps, but I suspect that it would boomerang.