50 Pandemic-Friendly, Clutter-Free Gifts Ideas for 2020

Since embracing a minimalist lifestyle, our family tradition has become giving more experiences and less stuff.

But many of the “go-to” experience gifts now come with a familiar question—is that safe to do during a pandemic?

Last year, gifts like a museum membership, tickets to a sporting event, or a gift card to a restaurant were welcome without discernment.

This year—true to the nature of 2020—giving an experience as a gift is a bit more challenging. 

But some outside-the-box thinking to find pandemic-friendly, experience-based gifts is worth it.

Here’s why.

Chances are that whomever you are buying for already has a home filled with lots of wonderful things (the average American home has over 300,000 items in it).

Americans own twice as many things as we did 50 years ago. But even with more things, Americans do not report to be any happier. In fact, 54% of us now report feeling overwhelmed by clutter and 78% of us say we have no idea how to manage it.

While stuff can make us happy temporarily, research shows that experiences contribute to lasting happiness. 

The work of researcher Thomas Gilovich at Cornell University has found that people tend to get less happier with material purchases over time, and more happy with experiences. People adapt to physical things, so even the nicest car or newest phone soon become commonplace, while memories tend to get fonder over time.

“Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods,” Gilovich explains. “You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.”

If gifting experiences leads to increased happiness without contributing to America’s clutter problem, then it’s a win-win.

Here are 50 pandemic-friendly, clutter-free gift ideas (many links are included below):

Online courses

Intentional Living course

Feeding toddlers course 

Financial peace courses

CrossFit courses

Decluttering course

Mindfulness courses

Intuitive eating course 

Motherhood course

Parenting courses

Course on teaching kids to cook real food

Course on how to shoot a basketball 

Leadership courses 

Online Lessons

Painting classes

Language lessons 

Piano lessons

Ukulele lessons

Guitar lessons

Photography lessons 

Adult dance lessons (Flamenco, Salsa, Swing) 

Kid’s dance classes 

Zoom sessions with a personal trainer 

Plant workshop 

Cooking lessons

Outdoor lessons 

Golf lessons

Tennis lessons 

Ski lessons 

Rock climbing lessons

Horseback riding lessons

Online Experiences (via Airbnb.com)

Make Mexican Street Tacos with a Pro Chef

Coffee Masterclass

Make pasta with Italian Grandmas

Horse Whispering with an Equine Therapist

Living Room Legends Scavenger Hunt Game

Learn about and Create Chocolate

Solve the Mystery Escape Room

Family Magic Show and Magic Lesson

Cook Spanish Paella with a Top Chef

Virtual Visit to an Animal Sanctuary

Sing Holiday Songs with a Broadway Star 

Gift cards (foods ideas are for take-away)

Favorite restaurant 

Ice cream parlor  

Coffee shop

Favorite grocery store

Laundry pick up service 

Spotify (or other music streaming service)

Kindle Unlimited subscription

FreshDirect (or other grocery delivery service)

Tickets to an outdoor city tour (many cities have walking tours)

Memberships

Zoo membership 

National Parks Annual Pass

The holidays are about connecting with loved ones and making memories. Less stuff makes this more possible, no matter the season. 

Let’s not load our loved ones down with more stuff. Give the gift of experiences and help make this Christmas a happier, more memorable one.

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Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog. Julia practices what she preaches in her Kansas City apartment home with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, and newborn son. You can also find her on Instagram.

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I want to help you design a simple, intentional life! I’ve created a 30-day course that will guide and inspire you to live a life focused on what matters. Learn more HERE.