What are the best gifts for a minimalist? It is hard to shop for someone who doesn’t really want anything. Yet minimalists want the joy of receiving gifts just like anyone else – and their family and friends want to give them gifts. So what do you buy for someone who says they don’t want anything?
Buying Gifts for a Minimalist
So, what is a minimalist?
Minimalism means something different for everyone. Generally, minimalists don’t want stuff just to have “stuff.” It’s not like a minimalist gives up everything they own to live like a monk. Well, most don’t.
Minimalists just don’t want stuff for stuff’s sake. They don’t want to be tied down by things.
Want to know more about minimalism? Here are some great resources:
A minimalist does not want one more pair of fluffy socks that they will never use. They don’t want random makeup or craft beers that they don’t like – simply because you had to buy them something.
Minimalists generally don’t want their décor or sense of style dictated by other people, either.
The things that minimalists prize are time, experiences rather than stuff, and products that are of good quality and last a long time.
If you are looking for the best gifts for a minimalist, here are a variety of gift ideas below. They are separated into these three categories:
- Indulgent
- Sentimental
- Smart Bets (things they need or secretly want)
Indulgent Gifts for a Minimalist
- A weighted blanket! While many people don’t think to ask for one of these popular items at Christmas, they’ll certainly love the comfort that they can bring! I go into detail how weighted blankets can help decrease anxiety and stress (just about everyone can use that help). Or, just jump to my favorite weighted blanket brand! It’s 30% off with Free Shipping right now!
- Experiences over things. That’s what most minimalists want and desire. And travel is a BIG part of their wishlists! Why not give an Airbnb Gift Card? They’ll be able to chose whatever unique destination they want to stay in, from a tiny home on a mountain top to an airstream by the ocean. OR they can choose an Airbnb Experience, such as a cooking class or cultural tour. P.S. If you want your own adventure, start looking at the amazingly unique places to stay through Airbnb and get $40 off your first stay and $15 off your first experience!
- Ancestry DNA Test – Who doesn’t want to know where they came from? (See my actual test results and my review of AncestryDNA test compared to 23andMe.) This easy test – just spit in a tube – can reveal generations of history and a loved one’s ancestoral past. Along with showing ethnic makeup, an Ancestry DNA test offers a subscription to Ancestry.com, where established family trees can be easily found from possible genetic matches thanks to DNA testing. (My analysis is below. Pretty cool, huh?)
- 23andMe Test – In addition to ancestry information, this easy test (again, just spit in a tube) can also reveal a world of health data. Some health characteristics that are revealed can be weird (like if your pee is likely to smell after eating asparagus) or helpful (your tolerance to caffeine – and whether that’s a reason that you’re up all night after a cup of coffee). The medical portion does test for major genetic red flags (such as a predisposition to certain cancers) that can be comforting or a wake up call. Rest assured, those types of results don’t just pop up in your extensive health assessment. To find the answers, you’ll need to answer several questions online that you are prepared to see the results, whether good or bad.
- Flowers can bring joy. Why not put a smile on someone’s face with a flower delivery! Choose a one-time delivery. Or spread the joy with a weekly, monthly, or quarterly subscription. I never knew that this website is perfect for ordering flowers at a great deal. Who knew?!?
- If you don’t want to send flowers, how about gifting a perfume made with their favorite flowers or essential oils? Because everyone likes to smell good! Eden’s Garden essential oil perfumes are all natural with no nasty chemicals. Plus, their sleek, minimal design is perfect for minimalists. I love the fragrant smells of all of their products, but this Shine perfume made with 100% essential oils as fragrance is sweet, uplifting and like sunshine in a bottle!
- Just as awesome is a Christmas houseplant. These cute houseplants are decorated for holiday gifting. But once the decorations are removed, the houseplants can purify the air inside their home and bring happiness (which we all need).
- Subscription Food Boxes or Meal Kit Delivery Boxes are great gifts for a minimalist (Here are my best ideas). Food subscription gift boxes are the best because everyone likes food and everyone has to eat, right?!
- A nice bottle of liquor or wine is a fine gift! Buy a locally produced vintage, or get a premium spirit that they’d never buy for themselves. Some of the best organic spirits that I like are Casa Noble organic tequilas, Tres Agaves organic tequilas and mixers, and TOPO Organic Spirits.
- Consider tickets to local events and experiences. Browse places like Viator.com which has amazing tours for foodie walks, hot air balloon rides, travel packages, attractions and more.
Sentimental Gifts for a Minimalist
- Schedule a “date.” Pick a time for a coffee date, afternoon tea, seeing a movie or walking in the park. Or get a manicure or a spa day.
- Have access to a minimalist’s photos or videos over the years? Then have those precious memories preserved forever by having VHS videos digitized, photos scanned, etc. A great idea is to load them into a digital photo frame which plays videos and photos. This way, one frame can showcase years of memories that can constantly be updated without having to print photos.
- Create a video for your favorite minimalist. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just heartfelt. Scan photos and make a video photo collage. Or just make a video of stupid pet tricks. Whatever you do, make it something that speaks to their favorite things.
- Time. Few people have enough time in their lives anymore. Offering to run someone’s errands for them, fix something in their house, walk their dogs, or cook a meal is truly a much appreciated gift!
- Giving gifts for a minimalist doesn’t have to mean giving “stuff” to the gift recipient. Sometimes they would be just as thrilled if you helped out someone less fortunate. A donation to Heifer International can help kids and adults around the world. Give unique gifts such as goats for milk or send a girl to school.
- Or choose a donation to a charity or project that means something to them.
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Smart Bets for a Minimalist
- A non-toxic, minimalist green cleaning kit will help them to have a cleaner home in more ways than one. Not only is this single concentrate cleaner from Branch Basics a minimal approach to cleaning, but it’s so much better for their health, too! And save $10 when you use my Branch Basics referral link.
- Everyone has a bed, right? And who doesn’t want to sleep in luxurious softness? I’ve loved these super soft organic sheets for years and plan on getting more!
- We ALL want to enjoy better sleep and more sleep! Upgrade your loved one’s current $10 polyester fiberfill pillow for something incredibly soft, supportive and healthy. Did you know that kapok pillows are soft as down feathers? Or that these organic and natural pillows are amazingly supportive? They are all great gifts they won’t buy for themselves. Here are some more fabulous gift ideas for better sleep.
- Add an extra layer of comfort to a minimalist’s night time routine with a fluffy mattress topper. Again, everyone has got to sleep, right? And everybody deserves a great night’s sleep. We really like this mattress topper and have used it for more than a year. Natural mattress toppers are one of the best ways to make a bed more comfortable without spending a fortune.
If you are looking for a big ticket items as a gift for a minimalist, consider a natural mattress. There are plenty of options out there (Savvy Rest has some really great beds!). Here are some of the ones I’ve tried and whether or not I’d buy them again:
A bed is definitely a great gift!
- No one has ever said “I need to workout less.” Make health and fitness an easier priority for your loved one with a TRX system. This easy suspension system is simply two straps that can be put over a door, or attached to a tree branch or a hook in the garage. It’s portable, folds up in a small bag, and uses a person’s own weight as the resistance – so no worries about overdoing it. This is what I use to workout. It really DOES work, even though it’s so simple.
- Never underestimate the appeal of an Amazon gift card. You don’t have to worry about your gift recipient not liking it! After all, you can buy anything from fashion to food to ebooks and downloads.
- An Audible Audiobooks subscription can be enjoyed during a commute, workout, while cooking dinner or relaxing in bed. With every topic ranging from fiction and romance to memoirs and inspirational (or even learning a new language), minimalists will enjoy the convenience of an expansive library hidden on their phone.
- An iTunes gift card for family members with an iPhone buys gaming, music, and other downloads.
- Cash is always nice. Dress it up with simple origami techniques to turn those green backs into art. Check out these video tutorials on how to turn a dollar bill into a shirt and tie or a goldfish. There are plenty more ways to make money look interesting. A dollar bill origami book will show you how to make cash look like art.
- Everyone should have a disaster preparedness plan. For someone who truly doesn’t want anything, this is the ONE THING that they might really NEED. In case of a natural or man made disaster, this stylish Prepster Emergency Backpack can easily be thrown in the car with essential supplies. One of Oprah’s Favorite Things, the bag can literally save their life in an emergency. It’s stocked with water, food (even chocolate!), first aid kits, emergency tents and blankets and more.
Gift Guides
Here’s more of our Gift Guides for unique and fun gifts:
- Best Eco Friendly Gifts | Green Gift Guide
- Best Gifts for National Park Lovers
- Best Healthy Stocking Stuffers
- Sustainable Fashion Gifts for Women
- Gift Guide for Better Sleep
- Best Useful Gifts for Bakers
- Best Gifts That Spread Kindness
- Eco Tech Gadgets for Guys
- Best Gifts They Didn’t Know They Wanted – Under $30
Andy says
Great article and ideas. I would add learning how to do new things like make chocolate, taste wine, roast coffee. Another one is hosting a chef in your home to learn how to make something new. Again, thanks for the creative and thoughtful post!
Kimberly Button says
Andy, I totally agree! One of the best presents we give is experiences! I gave a chocolate making class to my mom for her birthday and she loved it! Really appreciate your tips!
RBE says
Actually, subscription boxes (except for food) are the worst gifts for a minimalist. Food is an exception if the recipient doesn’t have allergies/sensitivities.
Mikki says
Great ideas. I’m actually asking for the DNA testing thing this year. Want to see how much Irish is really in me.. LOL! I already did the basic Ancestry.com thing so I know there’s a lot but would interested to see if the two match up.
Kimberly Button says
It is SO interesting. I’m so glad that we’ve done it to see our ancestry. Had my parents and husband do theirs, too. It really is surprising!