Clutter-free and Minimalist Gift Guide

by Pam | Mindful Decluttering & Organizing

If you find yourself dreading the and holiday gift-buying frenzy, you’re not alone. Many people are becoming more mindful of their buying and giving habits, especially if they desire a clutter-free home. So, without further ado, here is our updated Clutter-free and minimalist gift guide!

If you are among these conscious consumers, fear not. There are plenty of ways to show gratitude and affection for others without buying them stuff they don’t need! In addition to gifts of service and experiences, you can give more traditional gifts that make you and the receiver feel good and help our planet.

Make Your Own Rules, Using Your Values As A guide

A friend once shared her family’s gift-giving tradition with me: they only gave gifts that could be eaten, drunk, or burned! This “rule” is an easy way to put boundaries around gift-giving and to think creatively about what to give that will be used.

If this tradition feels limiting, you can broaden it by thinking of gifts of service or experience, such as offering to babysit, do yard work, or treat your loved ones to a meal or day trip. When it comes to your household, you could offer to do all the dishes, laundry, or cleaning for a week.

Tips for Clutter-Free, Minimalist Gifts

1. Buy Less

The first step is to buy LESS. Instead of numerous presents for Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, what if you give just one special gift to each of your loved ones?

If that feels ungenerous, consider complementing physical gifts with acts of service, donations to a nonprofit, or a shared experiences. Charity Navigator is a great source for choosing the best non-profit for your special minimalist.

2. Buy Local

It’s so much more meaningful to buy in your local community and economy, and to give gifts that come from friends and businesspeople you know!

As you make your holiday shopping list, think local first. Check out the Local First chapter in your city to find specific vendors, or check out your local farmer’s market.

By consuming locally grown food vs. food that comes from across the country or a different continent, you can conserve the large amount of energy used in both the packaging and shipping of food.

3. Buy Consumable

For the clutter-conscious like you, consumable gifts are a great way to give something physical without burdening someone with a trinket or gift they don’t love. Whether it’s food, drinks, or household products, consumable gifts are the perfect choice when you want to give but don’t want to create clutter.

’Tis the season… to buy stuff for your loved ones!? If you find yourself dreading the gift-buying frenzy, check out this gift guide:

A few of our favorites for creative, clutter-free gifts:

Gift certificates. Compile a list of of your favorite local restaurants, retailers and museums and ask folks which gift certificate they want! My son and his partner gave me a gift certificate for a wine tasting and pairing, and it was so much fun. Do you know someone who would benefit from decluttering services? Contact us for information on our gift certificates or publications.

A gift from the kitchen: do you pickle or can? Do you like to bake? Something edible and yummy is a great clutter-free gift. Some holidays favorites might be pull-apart rugelach, peppermint bark, and sweet potato pie with candied pecans. If you prefer for someone else to do the cooking, consider ordering creamed honey from Redwoods Abbey. It is delicious and a great gift for your sweet friends!

Salvage wood: when you walk or hike, do you notice sticks and branches on the ground? Do you ever pick them up and take them home? Collecting such “free kindle” and bundling it is a great gift for your friends with fireplaces. Bonus: this could be a fun activity for the whole family!

Candles: there’s nothing like cozy candlelight in the darkest winter months. Look for eco-friendly soy or beeswax candles to be conscious of the environment. We love Handmade Habitat made in Washington, DC and Prosperity Candle made by and supporting women refugees.

Soap and Hand Sanitizers: soaps come in so many festive colors, shapes and scents, and they make great gifts! We love Soapbox Soaps, which donates a bar of soap that keeps someone in need a little safer for every bar you purchase. They offer hand sanitizers and other skin and hair care products as well. For your masculine loved ones, check out Damn Handsome Grooming. They offer beard oils and balms that get very high praise from their customers.

Drinkables: with craft beer and local breweries on the rise, there are lots of options for beer brewed in or near most cities. Wine can be harder to come by in some states, so we recommend B Corporation’s list of environmentally-conscious wine options here. Simply chose your country then your state (if in the US.) How to know if a wine is vegan? Our friends at Sister Eden Media will tell you! Wanna know how buying beer locally helps our planet? The simple answer is not only true for beer, but for many things, and it primarily has to do with transportation costs.

Zero-Waste Accessories: we’re thrilled that the zero-waste movement is gaining traction! For your eco-conscious loved ones, consider gifting reusable accessories that cut down on waste, like silicone baking mats, reusable sandwich bags, dryer balls, stainless-steel lunch boxes, bee’s wrap, even good ol’ mason jars. Silicone baking mats have been a fave gift in our family for years. 🙂

Priority project: has your loved one mentioned a project they keep meaning to do, but never actually do? You can help with that! Offer to be a body double to go through photos, refinish the dining room table, or declutter the garage. Or, my personal favorite, consider giving a certificate for virtual organizing services!

Practical items: you might protest that this isn’t festive, but everyone needs practical items. Toilet paper, dish towels, laundry detergent, and much, much more.

For those who are far away: there are terrific gift-giving services for loved ones who live far away. We like for Bouqs for flowers and Greetabl for festive cards and small token gifts.