How to gift the minimalist way

When it comes to minimalist giving, how do you buy gifts for people in a way that honours your minimalist values? These 3 tips can help you master the art of minimalist gifting and receiving.

Set expectations

Help your friends and family understand your minimalist ways and why they're important to you. By sharing your perspective and setting expectations early on, you can reduce some of the stress that may accompany gift-giving occasions.

Give with intention, not out of obligation

Spend some time thinking about the receiver. What do they like? What do they need? What kind of experience would they enjoy? The goal of minimalist giving is to provide something that adds value to the life of the receiver, instead of just checking off a box on your gift list.

Set a budget and stick to it

Minimalism is about using your resources with intention. If you choose to participate in gift-giving, make sure you spend within your means.

When it comes to spending money, researchers have found that experiences result in greater long-term fulfillment than material purchases (PDF, 365 KB) Opens in a new window..

This is why an experience is the perfect gift for a minimalist. Not only does it not take up any physical space, it also doesn't have to be wrapped, which means no waste. When it comes to an experiential gift, the possibilities are endless, and they don't have to be expensive. Here are just a few ideas to spark your creativity.

Plan a trip to the great outdoors

If you're looking for a budget-friendly experience, consider camping or glamping somewhere close by.

Explore your home town like a tourist

Head to a museum, amusement park or pack a picnic and head to a beautiful park for some people-watching and quality time with loved ones.

Treat with tickets

Buy a ticket to a play, concert or symphony. If you want to keep costs down, purchase movie tickets to a matinée.

Learn a new skill

Attend a cooking class, painting night or pottery class. You can often find discounted rates for such experiences using deal sites like WagJagOpens a new window in your browser..

Get physical

Sign up for a yoga class, half marathon or downhill ski lesson. Or, to keep things cheap and simple, plan to go on a hike and bring a pre-packed lunch.

Take a risk

Pay the admission for a skydive, bungee jump or white water rafting experience. Extra points if you accompany your friend on this adventure of a lifetime.

Try something new

For a truly unique experience check out the Mysterious Package CompanyOpens a new window in your browser.. They mail you everything you need to solve a mystery or go on an adventure without leaving the comfort of home.

Gifting digital services is another great way to give something special to the minimalists in your life without adding physical clutter to their space.

Subscription services

Give the gift of entertainment with a subscription to NetflixOpens a new window in your browser., CraveOpens a new window in your browser., SpotifyOpens a new window in your browser. or AudibleOpens a new window in your browser..

Digital courses

Find the perfect class for the perpetual student in your life. It's never been easier to give the gift of education with course sites like UdemyOpens a new window in your browser., CourseraOpens a new window in your browser. and edXOpens a new window in your browser., as well as skill-sharing apps such as SkillshareOpens a new window in your browser., DuolingoOpens a new window in your browser. or BlinkistOpens a new window in your browser..

Apps

No matter what the minimalist in your life is into, there's likely an app for that. Bonus points if you go completely digital. Skip the card, and the waste, and send them an app store gift by email. Find out what system your giftee’s phone runs on and get them a gift card from Google PlayOpens a new window in your browser. or the App StoreOpens a new window in your browser..

Digital albums

Share your favourite memories in a beautiful digital photo album. Or, put together a thoughtful digital cookbook with all of your secret family recipes.

Whether you decide to get your hands dirty or pay someone else to do it, providing a service can be a great gift option. A service-based gift won’t add any physical clutter and, in some instances, it might even help further minimize and simplify.

Clean and organize

Hire a cleaning service, professional organizer or even a feng shui consultant with permission from the recipient, of course. If the minimalist in your life is happy with their home just the way it is, consider gifting them a car wash or dog wash.

Pamper

If you want to splurge, there’s nothing like the gift of a relaxing spa weekend. After all, who doesn’t love a massage, manicure or professional haircut?

Babysit

For the minimalist parents in your life, give the gift of childcare. There’s no better present than knowing your children are safe and sound with people you trust while you enjoy a night out. This is a perfect gift to give if you’re on a budget. It costs nothing but a few hours of your time.

It’s been said that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and this might be especially true for a minimalist. Not only is this kind of gift delicious, but it’s also consumable, which saves on space and clutter.

Provide a culinary experience

Make a reservation at your loved one's favourite restaurant or show off your own culinary skills with a simple home-cooked meal.

Give a tasty treat

Purchase a favourite sweet treat or get your bake on and whip up something yourself. Here are a few super simple recipes to try:

• Five ingredient peanut butter cup energy bitesOpens a new window in your browser.
• Three ingredient sponge cakeOpens a new window in your browser.
• Five ingredient fudgeOpens a new window in your browser.

Give their favourite drink

It's hard to go wrong with a special bottle of champagne, wine or a tin of quality coffee. This makes for a lovely gift that is easy to shop for and, once consumed, the packaging can be recycled.

If you know someone has been saving up for something special, use a gift-giving occasion to help them reach their goal.

Pitch in with home or car improvements

Help purchase winter tires to ensure a safe ride on snowy Canadian roads. Or, pay to have their car oil checked. If you want to keep costs down, offer to help with a home repair like painting or putting together furniture.

Give a gift card

You can't go wrong with a grocery card, gas card or pre-paid credit card. Find out if it's possible to send the card virtually via email to avoid gifting excessive plastic.

Cash

Who doesn't love to receive a bit of cold, hard cash? By gifting money, you allow the receiver to decide exactly what they want to do with it.

Give to a cause

For the person who has made it clear that they want nothing in the form of a traditional gift, think about giving to a cause or charity in your friend or family member's name. Consider what they’re passionate about or flat out ask them if there's a charity to which they'd like you to donate.

Minimalism doesn't mean being opposed to gifts, but it does mean giving with purpose and intention. So, when it comes to giving, keep it simple. The above ideas are guaranteed to be welcome additions to any minimalist's wish list.