I came across a blog post the other day on gift ideas for a minimalist. Although some of them were nice gift ideas like conversation cards, personalized home décor and DIY craft kits – they were all stuff! Stuff is the very thing that I am a minimalist am trying to avoid. I hope that these 5 ideas inspire you how you can treat the minimalist in your life without buying them any’thing’(s)!
Experiences
If you live nearby, my favourite gift is the opportunity to spend quality time together. Perhaps this is as simple as taking your minimalist out to a new restaurant. Or if you are a bit adventurous try packing a picnic and planning a walk/hike. There are also a ton of new experiences for you both to try together! The possibilities are endless and the memories will last a lifetime.
Knowledge
Does the minimalist in your life have a specific interest or hobby? Consider treating them to an online course, subscription, or experiential learning in that area. If they are learning a new language you could pay for some online classes or their Duolingo subscription for a few months. If they are interested in cooking there are plenty of online cooking classes thanks to our default virtual world. Do they love music? How about a Spotify subscription, music lessons, or concert tickets? A colleague bought me tickets to see an author I like speak at the local library last year. It was an incredibly thoughtful and appreciated gift!
Consumables
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with some consumables. Local food products are a safe bet for most minimalists. Or if you are up to it, give something homemade. I’ve recently been gifted cookies, kombucha, dill from a garden. and homemade ‘kale’kraut – which made this Dietitian’s tummy very happy. There are non-food consumables to consider as well. For example, my sister bought me the salon shampoo our hairdresser used growing up (which smells amazing) for my birthday. If there is a certain business your minimalist loves – you could also consider a gift card so they can purchase what they want.
Philanthropy
Depending on how altruistic the minimalist in your life is – they may appreciate you gifting to a charity that aligns with their values in their name. At Christmas, my mom donates to an NGO for the provision of the therapeutic food used to treat malnutrition (Plumpy’Nut) instead of giving me stuff. This has special meaning due to my prior work with these programs. Perhaps they are into art and there is a local charity who runs art programs for kids. Or maybe they enjoy sports and there is a local charity that provides registration fees for families who can’t afford them. There are many opportunities – although you may need to know your minimalist quite well to consider this option!
Ask them
Get them what they want (what they really really want…). Although I try to limit the amount of items that come into my life, I do sometimes need an item. After borrowing a rolling pin from my sisters or mom on a near monthly basis, I decided to ask for one at Christmas. The gifter was happy to actually buy me a ‘thing’ when I expressed a need for it. Likewise, I asked for a collapsible day pack for my birthday which gets used almost every day.
0 Comments