’Tis the season… to buy stuff for your loved ones!? If you find yourself dreading the holiday gift-buying frenzy, you’re not alone. Many people are becoming more conscious of their buying and giving habits, especially if they desire a clutter-free home.
If you are among these conscious consumers, fear not. There are plenty of ways to show your gratitude and affection for others without buying stuff they don’t need and contributing clutter to their homes.
Without further ado (and continuing our 10-year anniversary theme), we bring you 10 clutter-free gifts ideas to make your holiday special:
- Gift Certificates. Last year, my son and his partner gave me a gift certificate for a trip to a local winery for a wine tasting and pairing. Don’t be afraid to compile a list of possibilities and ask folks what gift certificate they want! Do you know someone who would benefit from decluttering services? Contact us for information on our gift certificates or publications.
- Experiences: a great alternative gift is an activity to do together, such as enjoying a #sippaintparty night with Keep It Glassy! This local service offers wine glass painting evenings at various restaurants in DC, and also offers private parties. You might take your loved one to a movie or out on a hike. Tailor the experience to the individual!
- Undone chocolate tea: this yummy tea is made from cocoa bean shells and tastes very chocolatey, even though it’s not sweet! Bonus: Undone is a local company and all tea is produced in Washington, DC.
- A gift from your kitchen: do you pickle or can? Do you like to bake? Something edible and yummy is a great clutter-free gift. Some holidays favorites might be peppermint bark, jelly donuts, and pecan bars. If you prefer for someone else to do the baking, consider ordering creamed honey from Redwoods Abbey. It is soooo delicious and a great gift for your sweet friends!
- Handmade Habitat candles: these eco-friendly soy candles come in a delicious variety of scents and shapes, and are hand-crafted by Takoma Park, MD entrepreneur, Amina Ahmad.
- Urban salvage wood: when you walk or hike, do you notice lots of sticks and branches on the ground? Do you ever pick them up and take them home? Collecting such “free kindle” and bundling it is a great gift for your friends with fireplaces. Bonus: this could be a fun activity for the whole family!
- Drinkables: we’re fortunate that there are tons of local wines and beers in the DC metro, which many people will be thrilled to receive as gifts (and if not, they can always regift the wine at another party!). Our friends at Sister Eden Media have great local wine and local beer lists.
- Soap: the DC metro has several local soap vendors. These gifts both look and smell lovely, and are usable! A couple of options include Caravan Organics, Aburi Botanicals, and Maré Naturals. Fun fact: all these products have been sold at the Fenton Street Market in Silver Spring, MD!
- Priority project: has your loved one mentioned a project they keep meaning to do, but never actually do? You can help with that! Offer to be a body double for a friend who needs to go through old photos, refinish the dining room table, or declutter the garage. Or consider giving a certificate to professional organizing services!
- Practical items: you might protest that this isn’t romantic, but everyone needs practical items! Toilet paper, dish towels, underwear, and much, much more.
You’ll notice a theme among many of these items: they are consumables. A friend once shared her family’s gift-giving tradition with me: they only gave gifts that could be eaten, drunk, or burned! This “rule” is an easy way to put boundaries around gift-giving and to think creatively about what to give that will be used.
If this tradition feels limiting, you can broaden it by thinking of gifts of service or experience, such as offering to babysit, do yard work, or treat your loved one to a meal or day trip.
What are some of your favorite clutter-free gift ideas? Let us know in the comments!
For more posts like this one, check out 7 Small, Local Businesses We Love, Alternative Gifts (that don’t create clutter!), and For Less Clutter: Choose Consumable Gifts.
Discover more ways to mindfully declutter your home or office here! >>
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