Just-Because Gifts

Commercialism has given us many occasions when gifts are expected. Births, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, holidays … the list is long. Each occasion has its own gift boxes, bags, and baskets. Many occasions have specific gift wrap.

Why Wait?

You don’t really need an occasion to give a gift, though. A gift should express feelings, and we have feelings for people everyday. We often leave those feelings unexpressed, waiting for a special occasion. But why wait? It’s much more special if the gift appears on a “nothing” day.

It’s nice, for example, to tell your spouse you really appreciate the way he or she works for the family. It’s nice to say such things on a birthday, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. But why wait? It’s also nice to surprise your spouse with an unexpected “just-because” gift. “Just-because” I appreciate the work you do each and every day. “Just-because” you’re so good about taking out the trash. “Just-because” you always pick up after yourself. “Just-because” you never complain about cooking three meals a day.

Ways to Present Just-Because Gifts

You don’t need an excuse to give a just-because gift. You don’t need to attach a card or explain. It is nice if you wrap it, since everyone loves to open gifts. Also, the extra effort shows that you really thought about it. Here are some gift examples you may want to try.

* Park a small, wrapped gift on your teenager’s bed while he’s at school, and tell him it’s “Just-because”.

* Place a wrapped box of candy or candy bar on the desk while a colleague is at lunch, and say it’s “Just-because”.

* Slip a new pen, elegantly wrapped, in your spouse’s briefcase. Attach a small note saying, “Just-because”.

* When you pick up the children after school, drive directly to the zoo without warning. Tell them it’s a “Just-because” gift.

* On an ordinary school day, pack a wrapped rabbit’s foot with a child’s lunch. Add a tag with the words “Just-because”.

Don’t spend a lot of money on “Just-because” gifts. The idea is to express interest in the other person, and show them you care. Care comes from the heart, not from the pocket.