Giving gifts, getting gifts. We love both don't we? The more generous you are the more you probably love to pick out great gifts for those you love. There's nothing wrong with that but what if the person you're shopping for is a minimalist or just wants to pare back the amount of things they have? Keep reading for some ideas on what to get the minimalist in your life!
1. Classes
Paying for a class might be just what the minimalist on your list needs the most. As a mother of 5 children I can attest that paying for a class for one of my children means the world to me. With 5 children we don't have the extra money to pay for a bunch of classes. If a child does do a class then we're probably picking and choosing who will get to go and alternating. Maybe its an art class, dancing, karate, sports camp, horse riding lessons? Maybe an adult wants to expand their education or learn how to knit or about gardening? The ideas are endless!
2. Experiences
Similar to the above gift idea; experiences can replace a material gift. Maybe it's a free pass to a State park, amusement park, drive-in movie, play, museum, a road trip, night away in a fancy hotel....any place that new memories can be made that will last many years beyond any material item.
3. Group gifts
A few years back we started having all our kids birthday party on one day. It was mostly from a logistics perspective since our kids have a birthday each month for 5 months beginning in July. (Family planning at it's best huh?!) We know that buying 5 gifts at one time is pricey and we certainly don't expect that everyone buy all our kids something so one year we told everyone that they could donate money towards a swing set if they wanted to. It was something that all the kids could use and our house wouldn't be overflowing with toys! So if you're buying gifts for a family maybe there is something that they could all use. A new TV? New kitchen appliance? Flowers for their landscape? Family games? Find out what the whole family can get use from.
4. Practical Items
I like practical gifts. I often get things that I can use in my kitchen or yarn for my knitting projects, frames to put pictures in, etc. I remember one lady I know who asks her kids to get her a box of household supplies for Christmas. They get her things like soap, toilet paper, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, shampoo, etc. That box means a lot to her because then she doesn't need to buy all those items for a while and she is truly in need of the gifts that her children are spending their hard earned money on.
5. Time
This is probably the best gift you could give someone trying to begin a minimalist lifestyle. As material possessions are being weeded out a minimalist is thinking about the things that truly mean something to them. They are thinking about the people who have shaped who they are and the friendships they value. They really don't need you to go get them anything. They just want to develop a deeper relationship with you.
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