Some occasions call for gifts, like birthdays and holidays. But you don’t need to have a special excuse to give someone a thoughtful present. As a matter of fact, a “just because” gift can make an especially powerful statement to the recipient.
What gives impromptu gifting so much impact? For one, it indicates that you’ve been thinking about the other person. In essence, it says, “You were on my mind.” As a result, the receiver knows that they’re important and that they matter to you. That’s one of the reasons that surprise gifts can take on long-term meaning and even become heirloom pieces.
“Just because” gifts also leverage the excitement of happy surprises. Too often, life can be filled with stressors. Sending unplanned gifts can break up the monotony of an ordinary and chaos-filled Tuesday and produce some much-needed smiles.
Finally, gifts that aren’t attached to a certain event can be especially memorable. Every time the person looks at the present, they’ll remember your unexpected gesture of kindness.
Reader's Roadmap
Picking “Just Because” Trinkets and Treasures
Of course, this doesn’t mean that it’s always easy to figure out the right “just because” gift. Even if you’re excited at the thought of surprising a friend, partner, relative, coworker, or neighbor, you may be unsure where to start.
Rest assured that treasures can be found everywhere you look. To make the practice easier (and to get in the habit of spontaneous gifting), consider following a few strategies.
1. Be on the lookout for opportunities to gift
To get yourself in a gifting mindset, start looking for excuses to pick up or send gifts to the people in your life. For instance, if you discover that a childhood buddy just experienced the loss of a pet, you may want to send their family a basket of comfort food. After all, sympathy gifts are warranted whenever someone is mourning.
However, you don’t need to wait for a milestone moment or crisis to create a gifting opportunity. All life’s ups and downs can serve as the impetus for sending a loving gift.
2. Let the objects you encounter guide your gifting
As you go about your day, be on the lookout for objects that remind you of someone in your life. For example, you might be in the snacks aisle in the grocery store. There, you see a box of cookies that reminds you of the cookies you and your siblings used to take for lunch every day. Why not pick up a box to give them to your brothers and sisters as a way to relive your childhood and spark conversations about your school experiences?
Although a box of cookies might not seem like a big deal, it shows your family members that they occupy a place in your heart and mind. Essentially, your gift isn’t about the cookies; it’s about the fact that those cookies were a wonderful, shared part of your history with a loved one.
3. Consider gifting your unwanted items
You don’t necessarily have to spend money to give a gift. You may have items around your house that you don’t want anymore but that would be great to give to another person. Though they’re not “new” gifts, they can hold quite a bit of meaning.
Case in point, you may have lots of toddler clothing that you’re planning to donate. Could any of the pieces be used by a colleague who has a new baby? As you know, moms are often frantically trying to keep up with the growth spurts of their kids. By giving usable clothes to another parent, you’re showing your support — and taking a task off their list.
4. Remember that you can give intangible gifts
Most people tend to think of gifts as items you can see and hold. But gifting isn’t limited to tangible items. You can give intangible gifts as well, such as the gift of your time. And gifts of time may be easier for you to offer.
For instance, watching another mom’s child or children can be a massive gift. Consequently, if you know someone with a newborn or who just needs a break from the daily grind, offer to babysit for them so they can get a nap or do errands. That’s a thoughtful gift that few moms would refuse!
5. Get into the gifting groove
Once you start giving “just because” gifts, you’ll begin to realize how beneficial they can be for all parties. (You’ll get a mental boost from gifting, too!) However, you may find that you aren’t always able to stay on top of the practice. To avoid getting out of the gifting habit, set reminders to yourself to give presents as regularly as you can.
This doesn’t mean you have to give presents every day or even every week. (You don’t want it to become a hassle.) But it might be simpler to stay on track if you plan to give a certain number of unplanned gifts every so often.
Sound like fun? Here’s one more reason to begin gifting: If you prioritize and hone your gifting skills, you’ll inevitably build stronger bonds with the people around you. And having a tighter personal community serves as a safety net that you can depend upon when you need support.