If you’re more on top of it than I am, then you’re likely done acquiring gifts for the holidays. (I have not, and it’s right around crunch time.) But what about the person who’s hard to buy for? They’re in the process of downsizing, or they’ve expressly asked you not to buy them more stuff. What can you give to them?
Or, like me, perhaps you’re trying to become a minimalist yourself. Perhaps you’ve realized that you spend too much time organizing things rather than using them, or buying things rather than enjoying them.
Perhaps you feel that this holiday season is full of good deals, but there’s nothing you especially want to keep.
What would be a minimalist approach to buying and gifting this season?
Minimalists cherish experiences over things, and people over ownership— and I really admire that. So what can you give someone who truly doesn’t desire or need more items?
(photos from our trip to New Zealand)
1) Choose meaning over monetary value. So many gift guides start with “Under $100”– why not focus on the meaning behind an item rather than how much it costs? Give them a gift that points to something that matters to them. If they’re reflective, perhaps a new journal. If they want to slow down, encourage them to do so by giving them a teacup and your favorite tea. I’ve given lipstick to friends whose spoken eloquence has encouraged me. The possibilities are endless!
2) Enhance your relationship with that person. Have time to treat them to their favorite restaurant to go on a picnic together? Perhaps they’d like to learn something you know how to do. Why not offer a lesson? Create an “invitation” to give them this month, and schedule a time to do it together.
3) Consider their personal priorities and dreams. Let’s be honest– we so often get people things that we want, without considering whether they want it. Is this person actively learning to cook? A cookbook would be great. Are they constantly talking about traveling to a certain place? Find a gorgeous travel book or map for them to keep dreaming about it. Do they want to learn a new language? Give them some cash to spend on Rosetta Stone.
4) Ask them. Sometimes, we gift-givers pressure ourselves to find the perfect present for everyone without ever mentioning it to them. This can work occasionally, but we don’t always nail it. If you really are clueless about someone, ask them if they have anything in mind. You can start with the category, for example: “I’d like to get you a book to read for pleasure. Which one have you been meaning to get around to?”
5) Don’t forget the card. I know we’re not all writers, but a sweet note to remind that person of why you’re giving them a gift– because you care for them– is so important! I love reading genuine holiday cards and I keep all of them, and I know I’m not the only one!
Do you struggle to give good gifts to certain people in your life? What tips do you have for giving gifts to people who don’t want things? I’d love to know!
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Aw I’m sure your dad will love that! And that’s funny it’s the only one you guys took– I imagine it turned out well! I love keeping photos of friends and family around so that’s always a great gift in my book.
Thanks friend! 🙂
Ah, my dad is notoriously hard to buy for since he just doesn’t like “things.” So my boyfriend and I settled on giving my parents a nice framed photo of us – which is extra nice since it’s the only one we’ve ever taken! It’s so novel that I have to keep reminding myself not to tell them haha.
Awe this is such a cute idea
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Hahah good luck shopping tomorrow! I’m so behind too, but I do have some ideas 😉 Perhaps you’ll be inspired! You can always invite someone to have lunch at their favorite spot with you instead!
Thank you so much Amber! Yes– invites and making good memories are so fun to give and recieve. I hope you’re having a great week too Amber!
Hahahah I feel you girl because my mom is SO picky too. I love love love your gift for her this year– that is so sweet. Any and every mom would just eat that up. She’ll love it!
Thanks Ash! And yes I try to stay away from trends… the people I know don’t usually love them.
Thanks Carli! So glad this resonated with you– I really like putting thought into a gift, and it helps me wallet out too 🙂
Thank you Rachel!! The thought that goes into baking something yummy for a friend is absolutely wonderful. I love that!!
Thanks Becky!!
Thank you so much Sheryl!
That is so sweet of you to take notes on what people want throughout the year. And I’m with you– except I’m usually the one who gives good gifts. My husband has, like you, worked really hard to give good gifts, and I can tell you that it is deeply appreciated.
Aw thank you so much Kerrie! So glad you enjoyed this– thoughtful gifts can take a bit more time but are so fun to give.
Aw thank you Emily! Personal gifts are so much better than ones that were clearly purchased in a pack for 20 other people!
Aw thank you Joanna!! I love the tickets idea– so many museums near us are so expensive, so giving tickets would be such a meaningful gift!
Thanks Carmen! Lol socks are great… and I think people can always appreciate kind, heart-felt words, even if they themselves aren’t good at writing them!
Glad you agree Shireen! 🙂
Aw thank you so much Shauna! That means a lot to me.
Thanks so much, friend!
So glad to hear that Sarah! You are such a good friend– I hadn’t even thought to look at social media (granted, most of my non-blogging friends aren’t super active).
I love receiving cards and always open them first! And when a gift is tailored to my actual needs and passions, I am so, so grateful. It’s exactly as you said– it’s hard when someone is looking carefully at what they’re buying! Thanks for your kind comment, Nabihah!
Aw so glad to hear that Gina! I’m not against all forms of shopping, but it’s good to keep in mind whether tons of presents are really the best way to use our resources. Thanks for reading Gina– it means a lot to me!
Yess! Thanks Chelsea.
That’s awesome Charity! I love having lunch with friends so I would have loved that gift 🙂 I think the pressure to come up with a new and different item for friends each year can be so tough (and at times, unnecessary!).
Indeed! We have some cleaning to do as well, and are hoping not to receive too much “stuff” (not that we’re not grateful!).
I love cards; I always open them before the gift! I really like the idea of large tags– I might steal it from you for my in-laws. Thanks Dani!
So awesome!! I hadn’t thought about doing a collage– that’s such a great idea!
I love heartfelt cards too! I always open them first.
Absolutely! Such a good idea– cookies make really good gifts, and I’ve come to really appreciate them.
Oh yes! I always open the card first 🙂 And pretty cards don’t hurt 😉
If it’s one thing I strive for in gift giving is the meaning. I put a lot of effort into procuring the “perfect” piece for someone. Right now I’m very behind on my Xmas gifts, I have no idea what to buy family members this year. Asking them, meh, it’s always “I don’t need anything” which never helps. Grrrr. I’ll be venturing to the shops tomorrow though so wish me luck lol
Sxx
http://www.daringcoco.com
Yes! This is such a great post, Daisy. I love giving invites for experiences as gifts – something that is both meaningful and fun and will be remembered long after the holidays are over. =)
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I hope you are having a great week so far!
Amber
I always try to follow something very close to this when buying gifts! Especially for my mom- she’s not a minimalist but she’s insanely picky. *Insanely*. So this year, to save room in the back of her closet, I’m going with something sentimental rather than material. I’m blowing up three pictures of me and my brothers a little kids, as well as a photo of us all grown up, and putting them in pretty big frames. How can a mom not love a gift like that? 🙂
xo marlen
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This is a great guide!!!! I always try to put a lot of thought and meaning behind the gifts I give rather than just buying whatever is new and hot at the moment.
This is a really good guide. Honestly, these tips really hit home because I feel like this important to do when gift giving to a lot of people. It’s not always how much you spend, it’s more the meaning of the gift for me!
xo, carli
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I love this post, Daisy! I rather love gift giving, and plan for it all year long. I love trying to find just the perfect gift for a love one, to show them how well I know them and how much I love them. I like to give tea or high quality coffee to depending on the person’s tastes as well. Another thing I try to do every Christmas, at least for my best friend, is to try to find several dessert recipes that are perfect for them and travel well and bake and ship it to them.
Such good pointers, love this!
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Such great reminders! I sometimes think we spend too much time trying to find the “perfect” gift when it truly is something very easy.
nice list! i think we all someone like this!
I have a struggle gift giving to Joshua. He loves everything I get him, that’s not really the problem. I just feel as if there’s always so much natural thought behind the gifts he gives me. And I’m like, “well here’s a shirt.” I know it’s silly to care, especially when he does like what I get him, I just wish I had that natural flair of knocking his socks off. I have a notebook in my purse and every time someone says “I want” throughout the year, I write it down. It helps for not only holidays, but birthdays as well.
I absolutely ADORE this post. You’ve put so many things that I’ve personally thought about into words and it’s just so sweet and inspiring to read. I especially love the idea of giving a friend a cute mug and some great tea to unwind with and scheduling a little quality time with them too. Perfect.
K.xo
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I love this gift guide! I think these types of gifts usually have more meaning too. When I give a gift I want it to be personal and something that I know that person would love. Thanks for sharing!
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I love this, Daisy. Over the last couple years, I’ve realized how much stuff I own that I never really use. I’ve been trying to gift more experiences lately- whether it’s tickets for the movies or a play, a membership to a museum or other organization, or a charitable donation in their name. 🙂
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I couldn’t agree more, Daisy. The card is half the value because you get to say how you feel. Although, they might not be as interested in the card, but hopefully they are. On my Christmas list this year were practical items likes socks. Haha. I need them! :] // â–² itsCarmen.com â–²
I agree with what you said, Daisy. It’s better to give something that is meaningful as it shows how much thought we put in the gift and it goes much further than expensive stuffs that means nothing.
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I love reading everything you write. Just beautifully written every time -xx
Shauna
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This is absolutely beautiful, Daisy! I am always so impressed by your writing. 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend! Xo, Alison
http://www.simplyfairbyalisonjeanine.com
I always try to find gifts that mean something for everyone on my list and I feel like these great tips apply to not just minimalists but everyone! If I find that I’m struggling to find a gift for someone, I try to sneak a peak at their Pinterest board, their blog posts, the FB updates, etc.
This is a great post, especially as it is gift giving season. I think cards, when written with genuine feeling and love, are sometimes better than the gifts themselves just because they have sentimental meaning. It’s not easy to shop for someone who doesn’t want things but it’s a great time to reflect on your relationship with them, and on their activities and hobbies, to think of the perfect gift. It also means more to them that you took the time to think of something special. I think the best tip is to just think, take notes and reflect before making a decision – gifts like this require thought and it will not go unnoticed.
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Wow, Daisy!! This is something I was looking for! I adore the idea of giving them an “invitation” to do something. I think that gets overlooked sometimes. It’s so hard to foster minimalism during the holiday season, and I feel like even though I’ve dabbled in this mindset, we have good and bad days. But I love learning more about this mindset and lifestyle through your posts. Thank you for inspiring me! 🙂
Meaning over monetary value, always.
I couldn’t agree more Daisy and I’ve started my minimalist approach to life a couple of months ago. I recently took a good friend to lunch for her birthday instead of buying her a gift! We all have way too much and it gets to be overwhelming at times…
Food and experiences make such thoughtful gifts. I am going to have a clear out in my home after Christmas.
The last tip – the one about a card – is so important! I was used to my family simply writing “to” and “from” on inexpensive gift tags, but this year I’ve experienced something SO fun – my in-laws put large tags on gifts, and every single one gets a sweet, meaningful message (and a hint at what might be inside!). I love this idea, and I’ll be employing it in my gift-giving seasons to come!
<3 dani
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I definitely love to give sentimental gifts, or experiences (a trip somewhere, if possible!) Pictures are always a great choice for me when it comes to gift-giving, I really like putting together videos/collages/albums and it’s so appreciated 🙂
I definitely appreciate the card!! Someone taking the time to put thoughts and feelings down for me to read means a lot, often more than the gift itself !! 🙂
My go-to “minimalist” gift is food. Everybody eats, and as long as you keep the recipients tastes in mind and don’t accidentally give them their least favorite food, you know your gift will be put to good use! I always used to give homemade cookies to my relatives–my grandma loved my mint surprise cookies, and my grandpa loved my molasses cookies, so they got both! haha…
Sometimes I like receiving cards MORE than gifts. I just really like when someone takes the time to write you something thoughtful and meaningful! x