Keeping spare presents ready just in case?

[lolane]

I always keep a couple of 1 pund gift certificates to my favorite chocolate/candy store on hand. That way if I need to give someone an unexpected gift I can give them one of those. If not, then I have an excuse to buy myself a pound of candy!

But in general, I am not into keeping spare gifts around, but in situations where I didn't realize someone would be there and I have a gift for everyone else it's nice to have a little something so they won't feel like the odd man out.

[Bijou]

I can't stand it when someone is the only person without a gift at an exchange, so I agree with having extras on hand.  I'll never forget the time we all gathered on Christmas Eve at my ex husband's grandmother's house and all of the kids (there were a ton of them, too) received gifts, but someone had brought along a little girl who must have been between 10 and 12 years old, and she received nothing.  I know she was hurt and embarassed and I felt sick about it.   How can people be so thoughtless! 
I like to do this also for the little tiny kids to 'shop' for their moms and dads, since I don't take them real shopping.  Anyone is welcome to shop the box (sometimes money is tight, as we all know). 
When we have had unexpected guests show up on the evening we are exchanging gifts, I feel bad for anyone who is giftless in the midst of all the gift opening.  (If I brought someone along to such an event, I would make sure that I provided a gift for them.)  These last minute gifts I designate from Santa and not from me, so there are no recipircal feels planted.

[Xanthia, Maker of fine Tin-foil hats since 2007]

You win. I'm dropping over unexpectedly, as soon as I rewrap those candles someone gave me last year.

Come on by!  Just remember there be cats at the Jellybean household!

[IndianInlaw]

Miss Manners (I think it was Miss Manners) said not to produce reciprocal gifts because you will start the expectation of a gift exchange with the person.

Having something for an unexpected tag along guest (as mentioned by another poster) sounds thoughtful though.

Having said that, I remember being thrilled when getting a gift from a long ago boyfriend, produced from a guest room closet.  I was happy until someone pointed out it didn't have Christmas paper. 

Oh.

[ZipTheWonder]

I usually do quite a bit of Christmas baking and will have chocolates, breads and plated cookies on hand.  So, if someone should do something unexpected, I don't try to create the impression that I had intended all along to give a gift (I agree with the OP that it's awkward), but after the visit, I hand them one of the plates of goodies and say "Can I send you home with some gingerbread?" 

[Sleepless]

During the Christmas season, I always keep extra gifts on hand. Nothing ever gets wasted because I buy gifts that I want, such as coffee/tea selections, plants, candles/bath products, books, etc., but wouldn't necessarily spend the money to purchase for myself.