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How to gift the minimalist way
Giving and receiving gifts is hard when you believe in reducing clutter. Check out our easy guide to minimalist giving.
Jessica Martel
7-minute read
If you've embraced a minimalist lifestyle in recent years, you've likely done so with the goal of reducing clutter and living more intentionally.
When it comes to gifts, you want to keep it simple. While you still want to acknowledge all the special occasions in your life, you don't want to buy or receive another “thing” just for the sake of holiday niceties.
So, what do you say to your non-minimalist family and friends when they ask for your wish list? And how do you ensure that you’re giving gifts that align with your minimalist values and budget?
Gift-giving might not be your love language, but for others, it's how they show admiration and appreciation. The below guide can help you and your loved ones make a gift choice that any minimalist will cherish.
How to give and receive gifts without compromising your values
When it comes to minimalist giving, how do you buy gifts for people in a way that honours your minimalist values? These 3 tips can help you master the art of minimalist gifting and receiving.
Set expectations
Help your friends and family understand your minimalist ways and why they're important to you. By sharing your perspective and setting expectations early on, you can reduce some of the stress that may accompany gift-giving occasions.
Give with intention, not out of obligation
Spend some time thinking about the receiver. What do they like? What do they need? What kind of experience would they enjoy? The goal of minimalist giving is to provide something that adds value to the life of the receiver, instead of just checking off a box on your gift list.
Set a budget and stick to it
Minimalism is about using your resources with intention. If you choose to participate in gift-giving, make sure you spend within your means.
Minimalist gift-giving 101: Choose experiences over things
Plan a trip to the great outdoors
If you're looking for a budget-friendly experience, consider camping or glamping somewhere close by.
Explore your home town like a tourist
Head to a museum, amusement park or pack a picnic and head to a beautiful park for some people-watching and quality time with loved ones.
Treat with tickets
Buy a ticket to a play, concert or symphony. If you want to keep costs down, purchase movie tickets to a matinée.
Get physical
Sign up for a yoga class, half marathon or downhill ski lesson. Or, to keep things cheap and simple, plan to go on a hike and bring a pre-packed lunch.
Take a risk
Pay the admission for a skydive, bungee jump or white water rafting experience. Extra points if you accompany your friend on this adventure of a lifetime.
Gifting digital services is another great way to give something special to the minimalists in your life without adding physical clutter to their space.
Digital albums
Share your favourite memories in a beautiful digital photo album. Or, put together a thoughtful digital cookbook with all of your secret family recipes.
Whether you decide to get your hands dirty or pay someone else to do it, providing a service can be a great gift option. A service-based gift won’t add any physical clutter and, in some instances, it might even help further minimize and simplify.
Clean and organize
Hire a cleaning service, professional organizer or even a feng shui consultant with permission from the recipient, of course. If the minimalist in your life is happy with their home just the way it is, consider gifting them a car wash or dog wash.
Pamper
If you want to splurge, there’s nothing like the gift of a relaxing spa weekend. After all, who doesn’t love a massage, manicure or professional haircut?
Babysit
For the minimalist parents in your life, give the gift of childcare. There’s no better present than knowing your children are safe and sound with people you trust while you enjoy a night out. This is a perfect gift to give if you’re on a budget. It costs nothing but a few hours of your time.
It’s been said that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and this might be especially true for a minimalist. Not only is this kind of gift delicious, but it’s also consumable, which saves on space and clutter.
Provide a culinary experience
Make a reservation at your loved one's favourite restaurant or show off your own culinary skills with a simple home-cooked meal.
Give a tasty treat
Purchase a favourite sweet treat or get your bake on and whip up something yourself. Here are a few super simple recipes to try:
Give their favourite drink
It's hard to go wrong with a special bottle of champagne, wine or a tin of quality coffee. This makes for a lovely gift that is easy to shop for and, once consumed, the packaging can be recycled.
If you know someone has been saving up for something special, use a gift-giving occasion to help them reach their goal.
Pitch in with home or car improvements
Help purchase winter tires to ensure a safe ride on snowy Canadian roads. Or, pay to have their car oil checked. If you want to keep costs down, offer to help with a home repair like painting or putting together furniture.
Give a gift card
You can't go wrong with a grocery card, gas card or pre-paid credit card. Find out if it's possible to send the card virtually via email to avoid gifting excessive plastic.
Cash
Who doesn't love to receive a bit of cold, hard cash? By gifting money, you allow the receiver to decide exactly what they want to do with it.
Give to a cause
For the person who has made it clear that they want nothing in the form of a traditional gift, think about giving to a cause or charity in your friend or family member's name. Consider what they’re passionate about or flat out ask them if there's a charity to which they'd like you to donate.
Minimalism doesn't mean being opposed to gifts, but it does mean giving with purpose and intention. So, when it comes to giving, keep it simple. The above ideas are guaranteed to be welcome additions to any minimalist's wish list.
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Written by
Jessica Martel
Jessica is a professional researcher and freelance writer. She writes about personal finance, psychology, parenting and higher education.
