This weekend, CB told me he wanted to show me something that he got for me. Immediately, I asked him “is it my present?” (Because the holidays are coming up and while I have jokingly told him I wanted my present now, I don’t really! I want something to open on Christmas.)
“No”, he said, “well, it’s a present, but it’s not your Christmas present. It’s a present just because.”
Then he took out a pair of beautiful silver hoops. (I had mentioned before that I was looking for silver hoops because I don’t have that type of earrings, and I guess he remembered 
). 
He told me that the earrings didn’t cost much, and I told him I loved them. Then I wore them every waking hour for the rest of the weekend.
Even though Christmas season invariably brings out a slew of articles and posts that bemoans the overly consumerist tendencies of the holidays, I love presents, and I love the concept of “just because” or “no reason” presents – because they are a treat and a true surprise.
“Just because” gifts don’t have to cost a lot of money – here are a few ideas sure to create the warm fuzzies in your friends or significant other:
- card with handwritten note inside ($4 at Papyrus, $0 for homemade)
- surprise picnic ($10 for sandwich bread, prosciutto, and orange juice)
- 2-truffle set from Godiva ($4)
- something from Overstock.com or Redenvelope.com’s sales section
- books ($5-$10 on Amazon). This is a surefire way to melt a bookworm’s heart.
- flower (a single rose is always classic, and much cheaper than a bouquet of dozen, or just go the DIY route and pick a flower from your garden). In college, CB presented me with a lovely pink rose that he, er, illicitly picked off the college grounds. I know – if everyone did that there would be no flowers left to enjoy, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I placed the rose floating in a bowl of water and thought it was the prettiest flower ever.
I’d like to give CB something just because too, but what? A few things on my mind are a leather portfolio (for future interviews, etc.) or cuff links. The first thing I do after I find a job is, well, do a happy dance. Then set up my retirement contributions. But after that? I’m going to get him something nice.
Do you give, or get, “just because” presents?
Related posts:
I’ve never really been one for giving presents. But I sure do enjoy getting the “just because” presents. I also look forward to Valentine’s Day and birthday gifts as well.
One of the best gifts I’ve ever received didn’t cost my boyfriend (at the time) any money. He had snagged as many white roses as he could off the dining tables after a banquet he attended ended. He told me to be grateful, because he had to fight for them. I probably kept those roses at least a year after we went our separate ways.
This is an area that I really need to improve in. I’m not that thoughtful naturally. You really don’t have to spend any money to let a loved one know you appreciate them. Thanks for providing some ideas.
.-= Shawanda´s last blog ..Eats for the Week: 11/15/09 =-.
One of the most memorable “just because” presents was when I was going to school 500 miles away from the BF. I called him a couple of times whining about the horrible week I was having (finals or something I’m sure) and a couple days later I received a notification I had received a package at the post office. He had made me brownies and sent them!! The BF doesn’t normally bake, so it was the cutest gift ever.
So sweet! It’s nice to get something out of the blue because someone saw something and was thinking of you. The problem is feeling like you need to reciprocate.
.-= me in millions´s last blog ..Get Rid of Stuff Sunday #18 =-.
I definitely love to give/get “just because” presents. At some point, a teacher of mine explained that there are different “languages of love” – the ways we show love to other people. We each have a way that is our “language”. I think there are five. I remember gifts, touch and words. Gifts are my language and the one I best understand when someone uses that language to express love to me. You must be the same!
.-= Jenn @ Paying Myself´s last blog ..Personal Finance Win? =-.
I’ve heard about that book quite a bit… I guess I should finally pick it up and give it a read?
Yep! I get Lloyd just because presents every now and then. Recently, it was a Snickers bar (his fave) and a card thanking him for being him.
I guess that’s a little gag-worthy, huh? Anyways, Lloyd gives his just because presents in the free form that usually involve cooking for me or a massage or something like that. I love these types of presents! And wow, nice earrings! Go CB!
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..So What If I Have Kleenexes Shoved Up Both Nostrils =-.
That’s really thoughtful!!
I don’t give/get these sorts of gifts very often – but I think that’s what makes them all the more special.
.-= Jessie´s last blog ..Tracking Bar Updates =-.
Those hoops are gorgeous.
I do give/get Just Because presents. My BF got me one of those jelly candies stacked in the form of hamburgers. What made it special though was that they were a Spongebob Squarepants version of a Krabby patty. (Yes, I’m obsessed with Spongebob). He saw them on a table at a fair and asked if he could have it because he thought of me. For giving, I recently gave him some Madelines from Starbucks. He always talks about how he’d like to try them, so I decided to buy them for him. They didn’t make it through the next half hour. LOL.
For the most part, the gifts should stem from just having a thought of the person. I don’t know if you should reciprocate the gesture. But definitely wait until some time has passed before giving him a just because.
I don’t have a SO, so nope, no just because gifts over here. LOL! I do send random cards and gifts baskets to family members though, so I guess that counts.
Great post!
I love “just because” presents. They are so much fun! Of course for me they are usually impulse buys, so if I see a Black Velvet Elvis painting, and I know you like Elvis, I’ll just buy it then and there and give it to you
I gave BF a “just because” book on Eastern Philosophy
He was overwhelmed and liked it (he normally hates gifts because people never buy him what he actually wants), but I haven’t seen the book since
I think he tried to read it, but it was too eastern-y..?
As for me, I like Just Because gifts, but ONLY if it’s what I wanted. Like those earrings you got..
.-= FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com´s last blog ..Radical Proposal: Simulate a job loss. =-.
Aw, so sweet!
My favorite “just because” gift from J was a hand-painted heart with one of our inside jokes painted on it. He’s not crafty AT ALL so it meant a lot that he went to the craft store and actually made me something.
As for a gift for CB, I’m a sucker for spontaneous shows/events or day get-aways. Those are always fun.
.-= myprettypennies´s last blog ..Confession: I SHOPPED! =-.
One friend's been *particularly* good at selecting "just because" gifts for me, and on sale which is known to endear me to any shopper.
That's where I got the nice sunglasses, the really cool windbreaker fleece, and a few other really useful and darling things.
Reminds me of a scrapbook I made for T shortly after we got together. I can't remember if it was for a special occasion – possibly Valentines. I stuck in photos, other bits and pieces, and pasted in a page of "memorable quotes" – his mum found it in a drawer last week and we both got a kick out of flipping through it again.
I do love to give 'Just Because' presents (especially for BF and my brother and mom). One of the best that I've received was a bouquet of flowers at work from my ex-BF (at the time, he was not ex!) with a note that said, 'I love you, can't stop thinking about you, and can't wait for you to get home.' No special occasion or anything, just an ordinary day. That was super nice.