Homemade Cookies make a great gift. Image by Maggie Hoffman via Flickr CC-BY.

Do you ever give your spouse a gift for no reason at all? The best time to give your spouse a gift is when he or she isn’t expecting one. Nothing says “I care about you” like spontaneous simple gifts. They can turn any day into a special occasion.

Spontaneous gifts do not need to be materialistic. As the saying goes, “it’s the thought that counts.” With a little creativity, you can show your spouse that you care for under $10. All you need to do is think beyond generic gifts for women or men such as perfumes and colognes.  You have to personalize the gifts to suit and reflect your spouse ‘s personality and hobbies.

Ideas for Simple Gifts for Under $10

A cookbook makes a wonderful, inexpensive gift for anyone who loves to cook. Many books stores have cookbooks for under $10 in the discount section. If you decide to buy your spouse a cook book, consider preparing one of the meals from the cookbook together. This will make the gift even more special and memorable.

A photo album is a great gift for a sentimental spouse. If you and your spouse have lots of photos that need organizing, you can turn them into a romantic gift for under $10. Simply purchase an inexpensive photo album from the convenience store and get creative. Try to arrange the photos in a way that tells the story of your happy marriage.

A spouse who runs or workouts regularly would appreciate a stop watch or pedometer. Giving such a gift shows that you are interested in and support your spouse’s hobbies. You can find some inexpensive stopwatch or pedometer models that perform only the basic functions for $10 dollars or less.

Homemade cookies, cup cakes and other baked goods are among the best homemade gifts for men and women who have a sweet tooth. It may take a few hours to bake the sweet treats but you can be sure that your spouse will appreciate the effort. If your spouse has special dietary needs or preferences, make sure you take them into account in your recipe.

You don’t need to break the bank to show your spouse that you care. The above ideas are proof that you can say “I love you” or “You are important to me” with simple gifts for under $10.