Gifts That Don’t Add Clutter

With Mothers’ and Fathers’ Days (and various family) birthdays on the horizon, I have been asked several times for gift suggestions, and that got me thinking… What do you get the person who doesn’t want (or need) more STUFF?

As you can probably imagine, I spend hours and hours every single week helping people get rid of excess in their homes, and one thing that many people have a hard time parting with are things they have received as gifts. Gifts are fun to give and receive, but the last thing a giver should want for the recipient is stress and guilt about what to do with an item they truly don’t need. I like Marie Kondo’s opinion that “The true purpose of a present is to be received.” In her books, she teaches that giving gifts is an expression of appreciation and once the gift is received with gratitude, there should be no pressure to hold onto it.

For people who like to give gifts, this can be a tough concept to accept, because when you put time and thought into finding the perfect present, you truly hope that the recipient loves it as much as you think they will, even if you know the person is struggling with an overabundance of belongings.

With all that in mind, here are my suggestions for some low-clutter (yet desirable!) gifts for everyone on your shopping list:

1. Experiences- The thing I personally love the most to receive is experiences. I especially like it if the activity is something I get to do with the giver. This could be a class, tickets to an event, or a coffee date. All of these are fun and have the added benefit of some social time too! If you want something to unwrap with it, choose a small, related consumable or deliver the message with a bottle of a favorite beverage or a bouquet of flowers.

2. Upgrades- Upgrades on everyday essentials can also be a good option. If you

know the person well, you probably know their favorites and/or occasional

splurges. A special snack, drink or treat, the more expensive type of socks, or

that pie you must drive 20 miles to get. This could also be something like a gift

certificate to a favorite salon for an upgraded service at the next visit.

3. Subscriptions- A subscription to a useful service or often used item. AAA, a local

carwash, a meal service, Instacart, Amazing Clubs, or even Under Club can be a

special treat for the right recipient.

4. Donations- I spend a lot of my spare time volunteering in various capacities, and

I know firsthand how important fundraising is for charitable organizations. If there

is a cause or organization that means a lot to someone, they would most likely be

happy to have the money you would have spent on a gift be donated in their

honor to their favorite cause.

5. For kids- Consumable like chalk or craft supplies are often a hit, and they can be discarded once used up. Gift Certificates for summer camp, a lesson or team membership dues or equipment (upgraded or fun colors) for sports for the next size or level up will be fun for the kids and save parents money (so win-win!). A

museum membership, like to the Zoo, the Aquarium, City Museum, Six Flags, Myseum, Magic house, or the Science Center are also great option, and while a few of these have free admission, the membership pays for extras and sometimes parking. We also like to gift movie tickets, ice cream/froyo gift cards, and adventure play dates. Finally, if you know the kid has upcoming travel or vacation, you can get them gifts specifically needed for that trip.

While some of these ideas aren’t the most fun to wrap or unwrap, you really are doing your gift recipient a favor and freeing them of the guilt they may have about adding one more thing (from someone they love!) to their ever-growing clutter.

What are your favorite low-clutter gifts that you have received or given? I would love to hear your thoughts!

I would love to help you get your house organized!

Head over to makingspacewithlily.com/appointment and let me help transform your cluttered chaos into a calm, beautiful haven.