5 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
As the holidays draw nearer, we want to show the people in our life that we care, but how to do it without buying a bunch of things? These five gift ideas are not only earth-friendly and easy on the budget, they are also just downright thoughtful.
1. Play travel agent.
Go beyond the normal gift certificate idea, and plan an activity for that person. Get into the details. Plan a picnic where you bring the supplies, and pick out the spot. Or even something simple, like a round of drinks at your favorite watering hole. The key here is to be specific. I once gifted a "day-o-fun" for my friend's wedding gift. It included tickets to an all-day music festival in the wine country. I took care of all the details, and just made sure that they reserved the date. It was a wonderful luxury to spend an entire day together.
2. Make something yummy.
It doesn't have to be your regular old apple pie (unless that's your thing - in which case, do it!). Out-of-the-box ideas include: create a custom tea blend and package in little tins, batch-make your favorite salad dressing and put it in reusable glass jars. You can also be this season's champion of healthy yet delicious treats by offering a sugar free alternative, like these coconut macaroons. Or for your friend who is hosting a holiday party, offer to make (beforehand) a special mixer for a festive cocktail! The yummy possibilities are endless . . .
3. Handwrite a letter.
Sit down and write a letter explaining all the ways in which you love that person. Write a rough draft first, and then transfer to the real card. We pretty much type on a keyboard all the time now, so this gives you an opportunity to brush up your handwriting skills ;) For extra credit, enlist the help of friends to write their own love notes, creating a small love letter collection! This takes planning, so do it now!
4. Give the gift of a New Minimalism phone consultation!
For $95 you get one-hour on the phone with declutter expert, Cary. With lightening speed, she comes to understand all your clutter problems and then creates a specific, actionable gameplan to tackle them! Obviously this is the ultimate clutter-free gift.
Email cary@newminimalism.com for details!
5. Make a donation.
In their name, donate to a charity that the giftee is passionate about. Thinking hard about a charity that will actually resonate with the person shows that you really know them and care about their interests
And don't forget, when you are out and about, stay away from the holiday-specific gift wrap. Instead, buy a roll of brown construction paper, and decorate using fun magazine & newspaper photos! Gift-wrapping becomes a craft in and of itself.
We hope these ideas help make your holidays meaningful and bright! Please share any other clutter-free gift ideas in the comments below!
