Holiday Gifts for Minimalists
What do I get for the person who doesn’t like “stuff”??
This is a tricky one, the holidays are full of material gifts.
The secret is to Focus on experiences.
Here are a few of my favorite gifts for minimalists!
Books.
I know, it seems counterintuitive right? Books are dust catchers after you read them. Maybe even before you read them. However, there are so many great new minimalist focused books! There’s also, something so comforting and personal about cozying up to a new book and really being in the moment. I like to use my self help books as self care. When you give your book, you can also put in a sweet card or note giving that person permission to regift. “Keep the giving going, feel free to gift to a friend in need of a good read”.
Want to go really minimal? Audible. Gift a subscription! It’s seriously the BEST. Books you can keep each month that have no associated clutter. Listen over and over. I know many of you read audiobooks from the library, but the waitlists can be so long! Also, it’s great to have your favorites at your fingertips that you can listen to over and over for a boost!
Coffee Dates.
One of my personal favorite gifts to give or to get is coffee. I love sneaking a Starbucks gift card into cards or kids gifts to fuel their parents through the holiday season - hah! If you’re trying to get away from the big chains, you can always get a gift card to to a local neighborhood coffee spot. Shop local!
Beyond gift cards, I say the best gift is surprising a friend with a morning latte! Try dropping one off at their house, office or when you’re out shopping! Better yet, instead of surprise, try planning a date to get together and talk over a warm cup of coffee!
I love a holiday latte, relaxing by a fire place with a warm cider or mulled wine! What about a local bakery gift card?! Yes please.
Gift cards.
Coffee gets its own category, but what about gift cards to other practical neighborhood stops? Here are a few off the top of my head:
Their regular salon. Who wouldn’t love their next haircut on the house?! I would!
Beauty that comes to their door like my dear friend Jessica’s new business Go Beauty available in Northeast Wisconsin!
Whole Foods. Trader Joe’s. Costco. Yes please. (Gift cards available on Amazon.)
Target. Enough said.
Cabellas, Menards or Fleet Farm for your outdoors type!
Gift cards aren’t impersonal. I think they’re so practical. You can personalize them to their favorite activities!
House plants.
What minimalist doesn’t like green space mixed in with their white walls and clear countertops? You cannot go wrong with some top not fake plants. Or as I say, everlasting plants. I love my artificial succulents and ferns. They bring green and peace into my house without the high likelihood of death or drowning, hah!
What about a bouquet of fresh flowers with one of the gift cards above? Plants are the secret to crisp decor in a home. Splurge for fake if you’re low maintenance like me, or enjoy the benefits of real plants too!
Experiences.
What about giving experiences of travel, adventure, or self indulgence to your friends. Here a few fun ideas to get you started:
A day to your local indoor waterpark or amusement park! Roller coasters anyone?
Credit to Air B&B or Southwest Airlines! No one can deny travel resources!
Zoo & Museum Memberships.
This is one of my favorite family resources. It is so wonderful to be able to run to the zoo and not think twice about the cost! After visiting the zoo once or twice, you’ll have the family membership paid off. The dues help to support a good cause and animal conservation. Local zoo memberships generally included additional benefits that extends to other zoos across the nation.
We love running to the local museums and children’s museums. There is something for everyone of all ages. I learn while the kids explore the many shapes and lessons that museums provide. Having a membership is great because we don’t feel like we have to “get our moneys worth” out of a daily admission. This means we can run to the museum for an hour or two and we don’t feel guilty about leaving after a few hours. This results in fewer public meltdowns - and I’m ALL about that, hah! That is a gift in itself. It’s wonderful to run in for a quick visit, and stay on schedule!
Your gift of a Zoo or Museum membership extends beyond the museum you originally intended with the many reciprocal programs! Don’t forget to check those out and bring your passes traveling with you!
Self Care.
Massage voucher
Facial, manicure or pedicure (or splurge with a spa day!)
Gift card to their regular salon!
Beauty that comes to your home, like this new business from my dear friend Jessica, Go Beauty ! Now serving Northeast Wisconsin!
Cleaning service
How much would you love getting the gift of clean?
Every minimalist knows that a clean kitchen counter is an amazing stress reducer.
Hiring a cleaning service or deep clean for your minimalist friend or family member is a no-brainer! This gift doesn’t include the “clean before the cleaners” decluttering session, but after the mess is shoved into the drawers and closets, I’ll take some clean toilets and sinks any day!
Want to go green? What about giving the gift of a Grove membership?
Or some natural cleaning products!? Natural products can be expensive, but they are worth the splurge. Try making it a Holiday gift by grabbing some of the seasonal scents that are amazing!
Home Delivery.
Try Hello Fresh and get $40 off your first order!
Try Home Chef and get $30 off with the previous link!
Going Vegan? Try Purple Carrot for the Vegans in your life!
Of you can go simple like giving the gift of groceries with a Whole Foods or Trader Joes gift card! Booyah!
Stitch Fix.
I hate shopping. Maybe because I’m minimal, or perhaps because I cannot stand the mall traffic and territory designed for impulse buying. However, I don’t mind when cute outfits are delivered to my store step. The problem is that Stitch Fix isn’t cheap. A gift card is a great way to offset the splurge! Fill out a style profile and after a while, they really get to know your preferences! Gift the gift of guilt free splurge shopping with a Stitch Fix gift card!
Personalized Gifts.
Painting of their first home or favorite getaway. One of my favorite gifts include local vendors and small businesses. A few local business owning mamas in the Pittsburgh area are my go-to for gifts for all occasions. I bought a custom painted photo of our first home for our anniversary. It was where our first son was born, and I’m so thrilled to have the memories preserved in this way! My other favorite is Keystone Steel, who will do awesome custom projects, but I’ve bought almost every stock design they offer! It’s minimalist decor, warm, and welcoming.
Reusable Storage.
Going minimal can also mean going less waste. In the process of removing excess from your home, it is easy to start thinking about your consumption of products as a whole.
This has been a hard part of minimalism for me, since so much of what I use is based off of convenience. This includes plastic bags, plastic, plastic, plastic! I’m the worst. But like anything, life is a work in progress.
What about a few of these products to give your own or a friends kitchen a green boost…
Reusable straws.
Beeswax wraps. A wrap that molds with the warms of your hands. I have one and just love it!
Refillable coffee thermos, to avoid the daily paper cup at Starbucks (from your generous gift card as mentioned above)
Stainless steel plates and dinnerware for the kids, durable and no chemicals!
Travel bags that double as grocery sacks. I LOVE these. I toss them in all corners of my car, diaper bag, and kitchen. So handy, and minimal space required.
Storage mason jars for pantry organization in style.
DonationS.
Donate to charity in their name. I just love the brick that we have in my brother’s name at a local park in our home town. Proceeds from that brick helped to fun the splash pad in our local community. These gifts go beyond a season, but can impact family for years and years to come. We also have chairs donated in my grandparents name and memory at the nursery home. How meaningful is that?
Think about making a charitable donation in someone’s name for a lasting and meaningful holiday gift!
Music or TV Subscription service.
The world is gradually moving away from cable and radio. It’s unfortunate, but its true. In the name of on-demand music and television a subscription service is king. Do you subscribe to Spotify, Pandora, or Amazon Music?
Similar to Kindle or Audible, this a great way to give people convenience and enjoyment. There’s nothing like feel good music or content on the go!
We love playing Amazon Music on our devices, including our Alexa Show. It cycles through our favorite family pictures and plays music all day long. Nothing like asking her to play “Baby Shark” or the “Clean Up Song” on demand to keep the toddlers entertained. I do love asking for dinner music.
Relaxation Gifts.
Keep it simple. Upscale an old idea of a relaxation package.
Try a manicure, pedicure, or massage gift certificate?
Step it up a notch with a bottle of wine and some Mrs. Meyers candles (all the goodness without all the artificial ingredients).
Heck, after the holidays, we will all need a glass of wine!
When in doubt, gift receipt.
Really. Once a gift is given, it is theirs. If your minimalist is overwhelmed in the returning spirit. Don’t take it personally. It can be as simple as saving that cash for a different shirt that will be of more use later. I believe that if a gift is graciously accepted, I’m okay with you doing as you please from here. Use it, return it, and make it your own. I just hope you felt my love!
What minimalist gifts would you recommend?
What is your go-to gift that is clutter free?
What did I miss?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below, or share on Facebook and Instagram!
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