The gift bag

At least provide a gift card to Sizzler or Red Lobster. You would think organizations trying to buy favorable coverage could do that as a bare minimum.

 

I take it when it makes sense to do so. There are some situations where the person offering will be offended if you say no, and it's not worth upsetting them over it. You don't have to actually use it if it makes you uncomfortable. If you're in a position where you can refuse without hurting the other person's feelings or if the other person's opinion doesn't matter, because you're not going to talk to them again for any story (almost impossibly rare), go ahead and decline if you want.