11 GIFTS FOR MINIMALISTS

It's Christmas, an anniversary, a birthday or another special occasion and you have no clue what to gift.  Choosing something special is already hard enough, but doing so for a minimalist can seem almost impossible.  Just because someone chooses to live simply doesn't mean they don't want gifts.  Choosing the right one can be tricky, but it's actually much easier than you might think!

Fresh cut flowers from your garden is a great gift!

If the gift is not something that was needed, a minimalist can end up feeling like they don't know what to do with the new item.  They don't want to bring it home, but they also don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.  And although many things seem extra special because they are deemed as sentimental, those items can add up over the decades to a house packed full.  Either way, most minimalists aren't choosing to live with less because they are crazy or heartless or poor, but because it truly makes them happier and more peaceful at home.

Do you have a minimalist in your life and need to find them a gift in the near future?  Here are some ideas of things that they might love, but won't add to the amount of things in their home:

1.  ENTERTAINMENT: give your minimalist tickets to the movies, theatre, or a concert, vouchers for dance or cooking lessons, tickets to a baseball game or something like it

2.  GETAWAY: take your minimalist to a spa resort, camping, on a short road trip, a day at the beach, play tourist in a new city or help them cross an item off their Bucket List

3.  PAMPER: gift your minimalist a manicure, pedicure, facial, hair cut or hair treatment, massage or something that would help them relax and feel refreshed

4.  DATE: take your minimalist out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, or anything that's one on one and involves good food

5.  CARDS: give your minimalist a gift card to their favorite store or restaurant, iTunes, kindle books, etc.

How about gift a weekend at the beach?  Or a week in Hawaii?  I think yes.

6.  SUBSCRIPTIONS: subscribe your minimalist to something like Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, Netflix or a gym membership

7.  TREATS: treat your minimalist to homemade baked goods, their favorite toiletries, supplements, essential oils or make-up, flowers, fancy dark chocolates, local honey or anything that is edible or consumable

8.  SPOIL: pay for your minimalist's season tickets to a local theatre or favorite sports team, house cleaning, landscaping, home renovations (this is ideal for couples like us who live in their Fixer Upper while it's under construction)

9.  UPGRADE: maybe your minimalist has everything that they need, but wouldn't mind making improvements (can you say iPhone8?)

10.  SUPPORT: donate to your minimalist's favorite ministry or organization.

11.  NEEDS: ask your minimalist what they need or want and gift them exactly that item!

If you have a minimalist in your life, it doesn't mean you can't give them gifts.  Just remember that minimalists truly enjoy living simply and having less.  Celebrate their birthdays and special occasions with things that help them make memories and have fun, without adding to the clutter in their home.

Updating something is a great gift...my parents paid to have this room painted
and treated us to new bedding!

As I minimalist, I can say I definitely love Christmas and my birthday and all things that involve celebrations and gifts.  But, I would prefer a memory with a loved one, instead of an item.  An adventure, instead of a belonging.  I want less stuff and more life.