When asked, most any Minimalist will tell you that they honestly don't want anything for Christmas. Taking the gift givers feelings into consideration, a Minimalist may reluctantly submit to receiving something they genuinely don't want. If you've got a Minimalist in your life, here are a few ideas to show your love without worry.
1. Experiences
Tickets to a play, convention, movie, concert, or her favorite team sporting event. The event will be a day to remember without the baggage of extra "stuff" weighing her down.
2. Charitable Donations
Donating to a local animal shelter, domestic violence center, children in foster care, your town's food pantry or even her community's school system in her honor may bring her true joy.
3. Consumables
What's her guilty pleasure? Every Minimalist has one. Try gifting her something that she will enjoy, but that will be consumed quickly. Crafting supplies or nail polish, if she enjoys it, is a good option. What about a favorite snack? Steak dinner, anyone? Books and coffee. Lots of gourmet coffee. Handmade soaps are also something quickly used up, but a joy to receive. Personally, I'd love a collection of teas to sample since I usually stick to buying my single favorite.
4. Memberships
These are great. Memberships are something a Minimalist may be reluctant committing to and therefore wouldn't purchase one for herself. Given the opportunity to try one these suggestions may give her the opportunity to discover something she'll love. A few ideas are a gym membership, spa clubs like Massage Envy, a shave club, an Ipsy bag or even a subscription to a cooking club like Blue Apron. Most Minimalists really enjoy being outdoors in nature or hiking. My favorite suggestion for this category, a State Park pass could be another option for the perfect gift.
5. Hire A Cleaning Service
Even the neatest of Minimalists should appreciate a good deep cleaning of their space. If not her home then a car detailing to bring back that new car smell. Combine this with a mani-pedi and you're golden. ;)
6. Replace A Favorite
Most, if not all, Minimalists are reluctant to buy anything until they absolutely have to make the purchase. They enjoy ensuring an item has been used to its fullest capacity. Living this way also saves them time and resources. Ask or make a mental note of your friend's favorite worn out item and offer to buy her a new one. Better yet, gift her with a voucher for the amount so that she can choose the item she likes best when she's ready to retire the one she's currently using. Minimalists prefer to carefully curate the items they bring into their homes so this is an important detail. Some examples could be: a new pair of Toms (charitable and comfortable), a quality handbag, her favorite shade of lipstick, a candle in her favorite scent, a replacement pair of sunglasses or a tumbler cup to replace those disposable coffee cups.
7. Plants
Most every Minimalist loves having a few plants to make their home feel cozy. An easy to care for botanical in a beautiful pot is hard to turn down. Ensure that whatever you choose is both pet and baby safe. Even if your friend has neither of the aforementioned, she may host guests in her home that bring them along. Examples of a Minimalist's favorite flora are: peace lily, golden pothos, money tree, ferns of any kind, succulents, air plants, herbs (consumable and beautiful), happy plant, fiddle leaf fig, Christmati, or ZZ plant.
8. Something For Her Child Or Pets
Everyone enjoys seeing a loved one happy, right? A membership to a local children's museum, swim lessons to use in the spring, a grooming session for her pup, or a few fancy cat treats may be all that's needed to brighten up her holiday.
9. Babysitting
Speaks for itself, eh?
10. Tools For Her Projects
Many Minimalists have a couple of hobbies that they are very passionate about and intensely enjoy. Knitting and crocheting seem to be all-round favorites for Minimalists though I haven't tried them myself. Writing is also high on the favorites list so why not gift her a beautiful, hand made journal for her musings?
Personally, I'm in an area on limbo since moving towards a more minimal lifestyle and I feel other newbies may be in the same boat. I'm bored with my old hobbies, but reluctant to dive into something new that I'm not sure I'll enjoy. It may be helpful to check that she still enjoys her old favorites before picking up those stamps she would've loved receiving two Christmases ago.
I've been using my newly found free time to update our house. The money I've made from selling items we no longer need in our home fuels my projects. Win win for me. If I were to ask for a gift, I would want something to help me along on one of my projects (new faucets for the bathrooms, if you're reading this! ;) ). Buying a Minimalist a purposeful item for her home makes a great gift. If you're still unsure, and she's reluctant to list ideas, a gift card to her favorite hobby store: Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Game Stop, or even a local grocery store if she enjoys cooking are great go-tos. Gift cards may seem impersonal to a mainstream individual, but to a Minimalist the ability choose for ourselves is highly valuable and appreciated.
11. Lessons
French language, clarinet, kickboxing, pole, Ballet Bar, SCUBA, dance, cooking, make up, book binding, pottery, photography workshops, computer classes, herbalism, organic gardening, essential oils, diy beauty products, if you can dream it it'd probably be an enjoyable class for her to attend. Almost every minimalist I know very much enjoys learning new things. Even if it is something they won't continue, the experience itself is rewarding for them.
12. Art
A beautiful piece by her favorite artist or a photograph of a place she holds dear could be a gift to be remembered. Another great thought would be a Groupon or a gift card for a photo canvas that she could design with the photograph of her choice.
If all else fails, cook her a favorite meal and enjoy each other's company for the day because what really matters in life is cultivating our relationships with our friends and family. Sometimes that means we work a little harder thinking outside of the box for the perfect gift. Other times it means accepting that our loved one wants to show us affection in the form of a present. We love each other and that's what it's all about.
