75 Gift Ideas for The Minimalist sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Isn’t giving stuff to someone who loathes clutter kind of…cruel? It could be, but it certainly doesn’t have to be! Not all gifts require money or gift wrap, and not all stuff is clutter-y. If it’s useful or thoughtful, it will most certainly be appreciated!
Ask yourself 8 different questions when gift-shopping for a minimalist, and you’ll have a plethora of ideas to choose from!
Is it something they want?
The easiest way to ensure you’re getting them a gift they really love is if they’ve asked or hinted specifically for it. If they’re too modest to do that, ask them! Perhaps they would like certain:
- clothing
- gardening tools
- kitchenware
- cleaning supplies
- home decor
- books
- camping gear
- jewelry
Is it something they use?
Food and toiletries/make-up are two major categories of consumables no minimalist can avoid completely. These things run out and need to be replaced. You could replace their regular products, or maybe take it up a notch, and gift them with a better quality version of what they would normally purchase themselves. Here are some things a minimalist might use that would need to be replenished:
Food:
- Trim Healthy Mama products
- chocolate
- coffee
- tea
- canned goods
- spices
- specialty flours
- extracts
Toiletries/Make-up:
- mascara
- shampoo & conditioner
- natural deodorant
- hand soap
- bar soap
- skin cream
- herbal salve
- toothpaste
Other consumables might use include:
- gas card
- essential oils
- vitamins
- beeswax candles
- paper productsBut, really. Who gives toilet paper as a gift?! Happy birthday! I know you’re a minimalist, so this is all I could think of to get you. It’s useful and beautiful…I think. And it cost a lot more than the paper-y kind I buy, so I hope you see my heart in this.
Does something need to be replaced?
Perhaps your friend has been married or living on her own for several years and standard household items are starting to show signs of needing to be replaced.
- bath towel set
- pillowcases
- sheet set
- tea towels
- beach towels
- wash cloths
- pots and pans
- knives
- silverware
- mugs
- tableware
- mop
Does it serve more than one purpose?
Minimalists are not usually big on gimmicks or single use items. If you can find something that serves multiple purposes for the same amount of space, you’re golden.
- a French Press that can brew coffee or tea
- bags that can function as a purse or diaper bag
- Car seat cover canopy/nursing cover/shopping cart cover
- Swiss army knife
- a Spork
- a blender with multiple attachments
- a mixer with multiple attachments
Does it take up square footage?
Some of the best gifts don’t take up any room at all, except in the heart. Experiences and digital gifts fall into this category.
- E-books
- i Tunes gift card
- Amazon gift card
- online service subscription (i.e. menu planning membership)
- dinner at a restaurant
- coffee date
- hike in the woods
- day at the beach
- trip to the zoo
- free babysitting
- lawn and garden maintenance for a week
- one week of housecleaning
Is it perishable?
If so, wonderful. Minimalists are know for throwing things out anyway.
- slice of cheesecake
- pot of soup
- fresh fruit bouquet
- flowers
- bulbs
- perennial cutting from your garden
Does it help organize their home?
Gifts that help keep other things organized are typically well-received by minimalists! A couple budget-friendly clutter control tools include:
- grocery bag dispenser
- baking sheet rack
- belt hanger
- scarf organizer
- mop and broom holder
- can rack
- craft supply cabinet
- tea bag organizer
- wire basket
Would you be hurt if they parted with it?
Remember this if you notice your well-thought out gift has been purged, sold, or re-gifted by its recipient: the removal of something materialistic from their life is a reflection on them, not on you! True friendship runs much deeper than what can be measured by the accumulation of stuff….a part of your heart is the very best gift you could ever give anyway.
I’ve always had trouble getting my wife “some thing,” and am tired of all the websites that just offer such things: jewelry, ever-roses, makeup, and ridiculously shallow borderline gag gifts that devalue the depth of the relationship by turning it into a joke. Even minimalist lists contain “wireframe candle-holders” or “simple silicone rings,” and those that don’t direct you towards thoughtful gifts like subscription services or “IOU Time coupons.” I appreciate your lists, but moreso your uncomplicated insights into “is it something they need? want? useful? practical? maybe they already have it in the decades worth of stuff you’ve accumulated and it needs replacing?”