No Clutter Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids + Adults

You’ve probably seen some of these no clutter gift guides before, but today I want to add a fresh spin on it for you! After working with many of you in your homes, virtually, and with my own family and friends, I know what ends up as burdensome clutter in homes. We have the incredible opportunity to both filter what comes into our own home as well as be more intentional about what we share with others to not add to their home’s clutter!

There’s 3 no (or low) clutter gifting categories we’re going to focus on. Disappearing/consumable gifts, experience based gifts, and gifting essentials to someone. Let’s get into it!

1. Disappearing + consumable gifts.

And what in the world do I mean by this? These are consumable items that can be eaten, drank, or used up and ideally you’re left with a recyclable or reusable container/packaging, or nothing at all. Here’s a few ideas to get you started…

Disappearing + consumable gift ideas for KIDS

• pencils, pens, markers, crayons, paints - things they can use daily and go away

• paper, notebooks, journals - can use them + keep them or recycle them when they’re done (here’s tips on recycling paper goods

• a favorite treat, snack, candy or gum - consume + be done with it!

• books - I’m counting this one here because books have a much longer lifecycle than the average gift + can be recycled, donated, regifted or sold when they’re outgrown without creating trash

• favorite toiletries - think lotions, bath washes, lip care items, etc.

Disappearing + consumable gift ideas for ADULTS

• luxury self-care items - candles, diffuser oils, soaps, lotions, lip care items

• magazine subscription - they can enjoy this + then recycle it when done

• paper goods - think helpful home lists, planners, calendars, check lists, that can be used + then recycled when you’re done with them (here’s a slew of helpful home paper goods you can check out currently in my shop)

• homemade food/baked goods/ingredients - a home cooked meal, like a big pot of soup/sides, homemade baked goods, homemade vanilla extract (I’m trying this soon!) or provide all the ingredients packaged neatly for them to make something in their home, like a bread/hot chocolate/s’mores/soup with a recipe attached

• a food basket the entire home or family can share of some of their snack, drink + treat favorites

• their favorite coffees, teas, ciders, sparkling waters, italian sodas, etc. - if you don’t know their favorites, offer a sampler of a few for them to try out

• a savory custom dry spice rub to flavor meats, fish + other proteins or a collection of salts + peppers for everyday cooking

• low maintenance plants or a gift card to a local nursery to help with outdoor house projects

• holiday scent / holiday potpourri ingredients / mulling spices for the crock pot or stove top (here’s a combo I love)

• kindle gift card - for anyone who doesn’t mind reading books on a screen (this would not be for me but I have plenty of friends who’d love this idea!)

2. Experience based gifts.

For this gift category, think about how someone can have a new or familiar experience inside or out of the home and not have to keep any additional items in their home to do so.

Experience based gift ideas for KIDS

• pass for an indoor activity park - think Urban Air, Ninja Kids, Kid Mania, indoor trampoline parks (you can get a pass for them + for a sibling or friend to join them - check locally)

• trip to the skating rink, ice skating or bowling

• pass for a local museum, discovery science zone, etc.

• gift card to a favorite place to get ice cream or a favorite treat out

• tickets for a soccer game, basketball game, movie or concert

• gift card to buy music

Experience based gift ideas for ADULTS

• gift card for a dinner out (either dine in with someone or get it to go)

• gift card for a few coffees or teas out

• tickets to a game, concert or movies

• tickets to a museum, art show or gallery

• gift card to buy new music to enjoy or stream a new movie

• gift card to a favorite bookstore (local is a bonus) or get them a library card to their local library if they don’t have one

• donate in their honor of one of their favorite charities

• self-care gift card for a massage, pedicure, facial, or nail treatment

• plane tickets to come visit you or someone they love

• gift them a class or training to learn a new craft or skill - think Craftsy / Skillshare / Masterclass for online options, but don’t forget to think about a local pottery, art, piano, martial arts or an outdoor survival class (just to name a few)

• gift a helpful digital guide to learn a new skill in less time - you can check out my shop for so many helpful digital home guides that cover everything from decluttering, organizing, kitchen, kids, moving, digital clutter + more!
  

3. Essentials gift giving.

This will first involve talking with someone and/or their family to find out what basic needs they need help with this holiday season. You might be surprised at the true needs your family, friends and neighbors…and it’s not luxury items, it’s things just to get by.

Essentials gift ideas for KIDS

• replace an everyday garment of clothing - think grown out jackets, pants, shoes

• gift card for clothing

• gift baby essentials like diapers, wipes, blankets, etc.

• books - yes I love books so much + know just how essential reading is to our kids it’s going to make it into several categories here!

• offer to pay for a few weeks or month of school lunches

Essentials gift ideas for ADULTS

• gift card for clothing

• gift card for groceries +/or gas

• help pay a bill - of course you’ll need to know this person well to know you can help in this way, but this may take away a huge financial burden for someone for month

• offer a ‘coupon’ for a free dinner any night - you can cook it or pick up + bring it to them (especially love this for any elderly in your community)

• offer to watch your friend’s kids - for an afternoon or an evening so they can go out to eat alone or get some errands done without the kiddos

• offer your help with a house project

• new linens, towels or kitchen essentials helpful for everyday use

• cold weather essentials - often something we overlook for long lasting seasonal gifts (think warm socks, a good blanket, hand warmers, gloves, ear muffs, a warm hat, etc.)
  
  
  

Now it’s your turn to get creative and run with these ideas. These are a jumping off point and not limited to what we’ve listed above. I can’t wait to hear about all the no clutter gift ideas you come up with this holiday season!

And please don’t forget to drop your favorite no clutter gifts in the comments below!

Wishing you all the happiest + healthiest of Holidays!

Thanks for being here + I’ll see you soon in the next post.

Other holiday + seasonal blog posts you might enjoy: 

Decluttering While You Prepare for the Holidays

5 Ways To Lighten Your Holiday Load

Giving, Gifting  + Navigating Unwanted Gifts