75 Clutter-free, Minimalist Gift Ideas

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

It can take some outside-the-box thinking and increased intentionality to celebrate the holidays like a minimalist. But investing in minimalist, clutter-free 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 75 clutter-free, minimalist-approved gift ideas:

Give the clutter-free, minimalist gift of 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 

Give the clutter-free, minimalist gift of Online Lessons

Painting classes

Language lessons 

Piano lessons

Ukulele lessons

Guitar lessons

Photography lessons 

Adult dance lessons (Flamenco, Salsa, Swing) 

Kid’s dance classes 

Sessions with a personal trainer 

Plant workshop 

Cooking lessons

Give the minimalist, clutter-free gift of In-person Lessons 

Golf lessons

Tennis lessons 

Ski lessons 

Rock climbing lessons

Horseback riding lessons

Give the clutter-free, minimalist gift of 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 

Give the clutter-free, minimalist gift of Gift cards

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)

Book a spa day.

Go to a comedy club.

Have a paintball or laser tag adventure.

Visit an Escape Room.

Go to a trampoline park.

Give the clutter-free, minimalist gift of Outdoor Experiences

Go on a winery or brewery tour.

Plan a weekend getaway.

Go glamping.

Book a hot air balloon ride.

Take a helicopter tour.

Go white water rafting. 

Book a limo ride to look at Christmas lights. 

Attend a sports event.

Go bowling or mini-golfing.

Rent kayaks or paddle boards for a day.

Take a day trip to a nearby city.

Go skydiving or bungee jumping.

Visit a local historical site or landmark.

Go on an exotic animal encounter.

Book a cruise. 

Book a family portrait session with a professional photographer.

Plan a ‘yes day’ where kids choose the activities (within reason).

Go on a family camping trip.

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

Give the clutter-free, minimalist gift of Memberships

Zoo membership 

Aquarium pass

Botanical gardens pass 

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.

***

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


Do you want to get serious about decluttering your life? My signature course will show you how to change your inner and outer environment for good. Now is the time to choose change. Now is the time to live lighter. Learn more here.

5 Replies to “75 Clutter-free, Minimalist Gift Ideas”

  1. I would be pissed if someone gave me a parenting or motherhood class. It’s as if you’re calling me a bad parent or mother.

  2. Yikes! Majority of your suggestions run well into hundreds and thousands of dollars!
    What is truly difficult to do is find non cluttering gifts for under 100$
    Now THATS an article I’d share on social media!

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