# What's a good "Just Because" present? Aside from flowers and candy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 4, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544 "2007-03-04T16:21:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/1 "2007-03-04T16:21:58Z")
This week I am planning on sending my wife a “just because” present delivered to her work. I want to send her something better than a bouquet of flowers or candy. Any suggestions of something cool and fun to send her at her office? Edible arrangement perhaps? I dunno! HELP ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/2 "2007-03-04T16:23:16Z")
What does she like? Mention some things she likes and then maybe folks can suggest how you could work it into a deliverable gift. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/3 "2007-03-04T16:27:20Z")
Dick in a box. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/4 "2007-03-04T16:45:08Z")
[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster] What does she like? Mention some things she likes and then maybe folks can suggest how you could work it into a deliverable gift. [/QUOTE] “Girly” stuff. The stereotypical girly things. Bling is nice, flowery, pink, shtuff. She also likes some rugged things…she’s a voracious hiker, outdoorswoman as well. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/5 "2007-03-04T16:45:31Z")
My favorite “just because” presents are things that I have mentioned vaguely wanting (say, a new book by so-and-so) that are given to me as a surprise. It shows he listens. She have anything like that? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/6 "2007-03-04T16:52:35Z")
A good book! Something that caters specifically to her interests. There’s nothing more flattering than receiving a random wonderful book that shows someone has been paying attention to stuff you like. ETA: By the way, **Phlosphr** , you’re a totally awesome husband for sending her something ‘‘just because’’! ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/7 "2007-03-04T17:05:39Z")
A book of local outdoorsy things to do (like hiking trails or somesuch). Her favorite lotion, or some girly stuff like that. A gift basket with goofy things in it (if she’d find it amusing). One of the best ones I ever got had stupid kids games in it (brain teasers and stuff) as well as a “spare brain” (like from [this place](http://www.carepackagecorner.com/stores/xq/xfm/store_id.454/page_id.17/categ_id.8/parent_ids.0,0/qx/store.htm)). You may want to go less gross and more romantic, but it worked for me! Or, frankly, a card. A real life, not e-mail but paper card. With stuff you wrote in it, and then dropped in the mail. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/8 "2007-03-04T17:07:16Z")
Anything that shows actually thought about her likes/dislikes. ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/9 "2007-03-04T17:08:11Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] “Girly” stuff. The stereotypical girly things. Bling is nice, flowery, pink, shtuff. She also likes some rugged things…she’s a voracious hiker, outdoorswoman as well. [/QUOTE] Ok, well then my first thought might be appropriate - one of those ‘spa basket’ things with maybe a gift certificate for spa treatment. If you’re aiming to make her the envy of her cubicle-mates, that might do it. I’m not much of a hikey-campy sort so others can probably help you there. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/10 "2007-03-04T17:33:42Z")
Hmmm! A good book. She loves Michael Pollan [The Botany of Desire] maybe I’ll get her his new book ‘Omnivor’s Dilema’ mixed into a basket with lotions and stuff. 🙂 Thats actually a really good idea. Now how do I get it all delivered? I wonder if Borders could put something like that together and deliver it. Hmmmm… ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/11 "2007-03-04T17:40:22Z")
I think you can have Borders gift wrap stuff. What about one of those cute collectible miniature clocks? You can get them in many themes, according to her interests. [http://www.miniclock.com/store/allprods.php?page=1](http://www.miniclock.com/store/allprods.php?page=1) Then she can keep it on her desk and think of you all day! ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/12 "2007-03-04T17:52:37Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] Hmmm! A good book. She loves Michael Pollan [The Botany of Desire] maybe I’ll get her his new book ‘Omnivor’s Dilema’ mixed into a basket with lotions and stuff. 🙂 Thats actually a really good idea. Now how do I get it all delivered? I wonder if Borders could put something like that together and deliver it. Hmmmm… [/QUOTE] A lot of cities have a ‘basket gift’ emporium whose staff will make up and deliver baskets for you. I found quite a few in my town by searching on ‘gift baskets’ & my city. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/13 "2007-03-04T18:13:57Z")
A puppy is always a good thing. StG ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/14 "2007-03-04T18:21:09Z")
Just a real nice card, like from Papyrus. ---
**Author:** ![DurbBook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DurbBook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DurbBook)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/15 "2007-03-04T18:25:53Z")
I gave Michele framed photographs of her cats as a “just because” gift. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/16 "2007-03-04T18:38:16Z")
[QUOTE=DurbBook] I gave Michele framed photographs of her cats as a “just because” gift. [/QUOTE] Now _ **THATS!** _ a great idea!! She is completely infatuated withn our cats! [QUOTE=Kalhoun] I think you can have Borders gift wrap stuff. What about one of those cute collectible miniature clocks? You can get them in many themes, according to her interests. [Miniature Clocks - Mini Clock](http://www.miniclock.com/store/allprods.php?page=1) Then she can keep it on her desk and think of you all day! [/QUOTE] I like the Native American ones…Thats a good idea too. Odd in a quirky sort of way..but she would likethat. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/17 "2007-03-05T10:57:03Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] Now _ **THATS!** _ a great idea!! She is completely infatuated withn our cats! I like the Native American ones…Thats a good idea too. Odd in a quirky sort of way..but she would likethat. [/QUOTE] The reason I thought of these is because after my SIL died a couple weeks ago, the family let us pick from her mini-clock collection for mementos. I took one that is two monkeys on a seesaw. It rocks (literally)! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/18 "2007-03-05T11:31:34Z")
Books? My SiL doesn’t enjoy reading and hates flying but she likes pictures of exotic places (which she’ll never visit because she’d have to take a plane). So I give her picture books. Any family member or friend who still doesn’t know I’ll never say “oh yuck” to a book needs to get some coffee pronto. I may recycle it, but I’ll never say “oh yuck.” My brother often brings me a pair of earrings from trips. Cheap ones, not “jewelry”. They’re close enough to my style that I actually wear them, different enough to remember they were a present, and I now have my Paris earrings from Mom, my Paris earrings from Lilbro, my End-of-the-world earrings from Lilbro, my London earrings from Lilbro… ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/19 "2007-03-05T14:20:50Z")
A good book is only a start, in my opinion. The box should contain; A really great book, a really wonderful chocolate bar/ small box of expensive chocolates, wonderful new lounging house pyjama bottoms (something 100% cotton, no made made fibers, with a soft fuzzy top to match), in a wonderful summery print. New fuzzy socks or cute slippers to match. All gift wrapped and including a wonderful card, with a great quotation inside, something along the lines of the importance of sacred idleness. She’s a lucky woman, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Tabula\_Rasa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@Tabula\_Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabula_Rasa)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544/20 "2007-03-05T14:27:11Z")
As for delivery… assemble the gift and call a courier service. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-just-because-present-aside-from-flowers-and-candy/394544.md?page=2)