The 14 Best Just Because Gifts for Friends of 2022

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Your friends are there for you through thick and thin, and you don't need a special occasion to celebrate them. Whether they're going through a tough time and you want to show them you care, or they recently helped you through your own rough patch and you want to show your gratitude, or you simply miss them, sending a little something is always a good idea. If you're not sure where to start, we rounded up our very favorite "just because" gifts at every price point, from cookies and candles to slippers and tea.

Check out our top recommendations below, and remember to call your BFF to tell them you love them!

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Why Trust MyDomaine

Courtesy of The Sill

View On Thesill.com

A plant is always a great gift idea, and the Aglaonema Wishes plant from The Sill is perfect if you're looking for something a little more unique. Colorful and easy to care for, the Wishes variety doesn't grow naturally in the wild. It prefers medium bright indirect light and comes in both small and medium sizes, and comes in your choice of two planter styles and five planter colors. Take note, though, that this plant is toxic if consumed, so shouldn't be in households with kids or pets.

David's Tea

View On Davidstea.com

Any tea lover will appreciate receiving this 12 tea sampler of "feel good" faves. The options include blends that are designed for relaxation and health, with ingredients like chamomile, peppermint, ginger, lemon, and more. They'll find some of David's Tea's best-selling blends, like Throat Rescue, Le Digestif, Headache Halo, and Lemon Lullaby, each of which is packaged in a small jar with enough for 1-2 cups. Just take note that this kit only includes loose leaf teas, so you'll need to be sure they have an infuser in order to enjoy.

Courtesy of Milk Bar

View On Milkbarstore.com

Could your friend use a pick-me-up? Milk Bar’s scrumptious Assorted Cookie Tin is just the gift they need. Combining the nostalgic comfort of cookies with unexpected flavors, this collection of goodies is sure to be a bright spot in anyone's day.

Included in the assortment is all of the confectionery’s famous cookies. There’s the sweet and salty Compost, made with potato chips, graham crackers, butterscotch, and more; the ooey, gooey Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow; the sprinkle-studded Confetti; the sweet and buttery Corn; the muffin-inspired Blueberry & Cream; and the super-rich Chocolate-Confetti. All individually wrapped and stacked in a sleek tin, you can grab ‘em by the dozen or half dozen.

Papier

View On Papier.com

Papier's notebooks are not only high-quality and beautiful, but they're also customizable, making them a good idea for your friend who prefers pen-and-paper over digital. The Joy Notebook comes in three colors and is emblazoned with the straightforward declaration: "my notes & thoughts".

Aside from the notebook's style, you also get to choose between softback and hardback covers, and lined, plain, and dotted paper. Finish it off with the text of your choosing at the top and bottom of the front cover, and your friend will end up with a journal that's just for them.

Courtesy of Boy Smells

View On Nordstrom View On Boysmells.com

Even if your pal isn't a Kacey Musgraves fan, chances are high that they'll love this candle done in collaboration with the singer and candle brand Boy Smells. It contains notes of incense, black pepper, ginger zest, raspberry, cedarwood, vanilla, and more for a fragrance that's rich and earthy. The song it's named after is about enjoying life right where you're at, so this is a great gift for your friend who needs to be reminded to slow down and live in the moment.

UrbanStems

View On Urbanstems.com

If you're really stumped, you can never go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. UrbanStems has a wide variety of options that can be delivered ASAP to the 48 contiguous states—and if the recipient lives in NYC or DC, delivery is even faster thanks to UrbanStems' courier delivery service. It's also very easy to add on little extras like a vase, chocolate, or even a candle if you really want to go above and beyond.

The Seasonal Bloom includes sunflowers, leucadendron, craspedia, roses, mums, and eucalyptus for a richly colored bouquet that'll add the perfect autumnal touch to their space.

Mouth

View On Mouth

If you can't be with your friend in person to provide a little TLC, send them this gift box instead. Mouth's TLC Kit comes in two sizes and includes everything they need to treat themselves after a rough week, like candied almonds, truffle potato chips, plum preserves, and artisanal caramel. All they'll need to complete the ideal self-care evening is pour a drink, get under a cozy blanket, and put on their favorite feel-good movie.

View On Golde.co

Does your friend prefer matcha over coffee? Gift them the Matcha Lovers Kit from Golde, which includes one Matcha Turmeric Superfood Latte Blend and one jar of pure matcha. The matcha provides an energizing kick to their favorite smoothie or hot drink, as does the latte blend, which contains matcha, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom. If you want to add more to your gift, check out Golde's selection of matcha accessories superfood-infused face masks.

3.9

Courtesy of Eberjey

View On Amazon View On Bloomingdales View On Eberjey.com

If you're willing to splurge, consider Eberjey's best-selling Gisele Robe. Made from soft, lightweight, and breathable TENCEL, this robe can be used every single day, whether they're working from home, getting ready for bed, or enjoying their morning caffeine boost. The shorter length and stylish contrast piping give it a sophisticated look, while the anti-pill material ensures they'll have this robe for many years to come. Choose from three colors and five sizes for a gift they're sure to appreciate.

View On 54kibo.com

Give the gift of better skin with Eu'Genia's Shea Butter Gift Set. Made in Ghana from premium shea butter, this set includes four two-ounce tins of different varieties of shea butter: lavender, grapefruit, fragrance-free, and pure shea butter. It's a fantastic gift for anyone dealing with dry skin, and the mix of options means they can test each one to find their favorite for long-term use. Plus, the tins are small (and cute!) enough that they're perfect for travel.

4.9

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Brooklinen

For the person who is in need of some beauty sleep, look no further than Brooklinen's Mulberry Silk Eyemask. Made from breathable and soft Mulberry silk with a luxe charmeuse weave, this mask will feel comfortable all night long. It's available in four colors, including a celestial-inspired pattern, as well as a rotating number of limited edition colors that tend to sell out fast. It's so good you just might want to grab one for yourself too.

Courtesy of East Fork

View On Eastfork.com

East Fork's #TheMug is a cult classic for a reason: It's the ideal size for just about any morning beverage, and comes in a variety of earthy glazes that they'll actually want to show off. Unlike similar mugs, this one is also machine-washable and microwave-safe, and it's designed to fit an Aeropress, if that's what your friend uses to make their brew. It's definitely more expensive than other mugs, but we have a feeling this one will end up being used every single day.

View On Design-milk.com View On Food52 View On Pieceworkpuzzles.com

Whether your friend is an avid puzzler or not, they'll appreciate the artistry of Piecework's best-selling puzzles. The Forbidden Fruit option is surprisingly stunning, thanks to the saturated colors and high-quality recycled paper construction. This one has 1,000 pieces, so it'll definitely keep them busy for awhile, but Piecework also offers 500-piece puzzles if you want to give them something a little bit easier. Either way, they'll end up with a striking finished product that they might even be tempted to frame.

Bombas

View On Bombas.com

Take it from someone who has and loves these slippers: They're pretty amazing. Designed to be a combination of slippers and socks, they cover the entire foot and have a soft brushed lining that's comfy but won't cause overheating. Available in three sizes and four colors, they're a great gift for your friend who's always cold. Plus, unlike other slippers they can be thrown in the washer for easy care.

What to Look for in a "Just Because" Gift

Reason

Think about what inspired you to send a gift in the first place. Did your friend just go through a breakup? Were they there for you on a recent bad day? Do you just miss them? If you're trying to cheer up your friend, consider sending a self care gift like a candle or robe. If you want to express gratitude, consider a bouquet of flowers or something they really love, like fancy tea. And if you're just feeling the long distance blues, send them something that they'll use or see every single day, like a plant or an oversized mug. That way, they'll think of you whenever they see it.

Functionality

You don't want to give your friend more stuff that'll just clutter their space, so be sure to send something they'll actually use and value. Food gifts are always a great option, especially if it's something you're sure your friend loves, as are practical yet thoughtful gifts like journals and slippers.

Price

You certainly don't need to spend a lot on a "just because" gift. It really is the thought that counts, and your friend will just appreciate that you thought of sending something at all. Only spend what you can afford, and if you want to send over a bigger gift (for instance if they're going through a hard time), consider splitting the cost with another friend or two and turning it into a group gift.

Why Trust MyDomaine?

This article was written by Nicole Lund, MyDomaine's commerce editor. As MyDomaine's resident shopping expert, Nicole is always on the lookout for good gift ideas that strike a balance between thoughtful, useful, and high quality. To write this list, she considered gifts that checked all three boxes and appealed to a wide variety of people.

Article Sources

MyDomaine uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.