Welcome to gift guide week on the blog! It wasn’t planned this way. But after Monday’s post with non-toy present ideas, it seems like people are seriously searching for non-clutter gifts for minimalists.
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This is a subject I’m happy to talk about! Maybe it’s for a family member who is straight-up outlawing more stuff. Or maybe you just know someone who is trying to downsize a bit. (Possibly preparing for a big move, like we just did.)
Either way, you’ll do them a favor by considering some practical options, without losing the joy of giving and receiving a gift.
Real quick – what do we mean by minimalist?
In this post, we’re not necessarily talking about the minimalist style, but instead the minimalist lifestyle. It doesn’t just mean less things around the house, but rather less things that don’t really serve a purpose.
So great gifts for minimalists might include consumables, experiences, and practical items, or items you can put away.
The best thing you can do? Ask.
Ask what they need (or want). They know the answer to that, and it reduces the chance it’ll be something they don’t need.
Not everyone wants to do that, and I can understand. You might want it to be a surprise. Perhaps it will take some detective work for you. Or you can still get them what they ask for, but make the style or color a surprise. If you’re looking for a different idea, though, read on.
The one-size-fits-all minimal gift – with a twist.
One of the first gifts for minimalists that comes to mind? Gift cards. I know, I know, they can seem a little impersonal. But on the other hand, they open up the way for the minimalist in your life to get something they actually need, either right now or in the future.
Want to make it a bit more heartfelt? Take the time to add a handwritten note that tells them the things you love about them.
Maybe include something small – and consumable or reusable – to go along with your gift. Consider:
- a reusable mug (like my favorite hot/cold tumbler) and a Starbucks or local coffee shop card.
- a candle (best candle scent ever) and a Pottery Barn or Homegoods card.
- a hammer and a Lowe’s or Home Depot card.
- candy (save with a candy variety pack and gift to multiple people) and a movie theater or digital streaming card.
- a comfy scarf and hat set with a Target card.
Choose a gift that gives practical use.
- Seasonal activity gear is a great gift that we’ve received from my mother-in-law. This includes snow gear and sleds (two-person, or an inflatable snow tube you can deflate and store later), or even ice skates.
- Get creative and make a family recipe book, or order a book (I want Joanna’s first or second, or Chrissy’s first or second) and gift some kitchen items to go with it (like this 3-piece utensil set).
- Give the gift of a purposeful upcoming year. I am a huge supporter of Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets (read my 2020 PowerSheets overview for more details), but basically it is an effective goal planner that helps you set both lofty goals, and practical steps to get there.
- Gift a membership that serves the whole household with a membership to Amazon Prime, or Grove Collaborative – a clean home and personal care product service.
- Try some new technology, like an Echo, Dot or Show. It comes in handy for music, answering questions, even making phone calls or online orders.
Give the gift of quality time.
- Board games! Our family likes to find a new one every year to try out together. Ticket to Ride is one of our favorites (along with its sequels, like Rails and Sails); we also enjoy Sushi Go, Apples to Apples, and Bananagrams.
- Offer a membership to a local favorite spot, like a museum or a gym.
- Gift a subscription service, like a magazine, digital streaming (like Netflix or Disney+), or a consumable (like fruit or flowers).
- Personally I now avoid many subscription boxes with “stuff”, because lots of it I usually end up not using and later, gifting to others.
- Order tickets for an upcoming sports event, a concert, or a show.
- Contribute to a family fund for a vacation or big expense for the family, like backyard play equipment.
Offer your services, through a redeemable coupon or just written in a card.
- Set up a night to cook dinner for them.
- Babysit, so some parents can go on a much-needed date night.
- Create a scavenger hunt for them to explore their local area with new eyes.
- Give a car wash and interior vacuum. (This might actually be my dream wish this year, guys.)
- Skilled with a camera? Schedule a photo session for their family!
- Give a manicure.
What do you think?
Which of these would be a good option as gifts for minimalists in your life? Or what’s your idea?
Photo 1 by Emma Matthews Digital Content Production on Unsplash
Photos 2-4 by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
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