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 Holidays5 Ways To Lighten Your Holiday LoadGiving, Gifting + Navigating Unwanted Gifts
Giving, Gifting + Navigating Unwanted Gifts
It’s the most wonderful time of year, sort of. Full permission here to feel lots of different feelings as the holidays roll around.
There is an influx of things, demands, pressures and more, so no wonder we feel overwhelmed and confused when we’re suppose to be having the time of our lives (or of the year)!
To go against the grain on this, as we do here, I’ve got a list of tips and tools to help you reduce the holiday overwhelm around giving, gifting and unwanted gifts.
It’s the most wonderful time of year, sort of. Full permission here to feel lots of different feelings as the holidays roll around.
There is an influx of things, demands, pressures and more, so no wonder we feel overwhelmed and confused when we’re suppose to be having the time of our lives (or of the year)!
To go against the grain on this, as we do here, I’ve got a list of tips and tools to help you reduce the holiday overwhelm around giving, gifting and unwanted gifts.
1. GIVING - Fill Up Someone Else’s Bucket
There’s a vast array of places to give of your time + donations. As a personal choice, I like to move into these seasons being aware of others that need our support, especially during this time.
Consider local charities / Non-profits Organizations you’ve caught wind of during the year that you’re inspired by and love the work they’re doing (Abide Women’s Services is one in my area I support through donations/Amazon wish list donations during the year)
Keep local shelters in mind and take a few minutes to do some research on your area and what their needs are most during this season - often they have an active list of items on an Amazon wish list you can easily grab (from toiletries to bedding/clothing - Safe Haven in Tarrant County is one example - check locally for how you can support your community).
Creating care bags for the homeless are great to have on hand to share when you have the opportunity (I love this resource with a list/breakdown of items that are actually useful to someone without a home/what is helpful - HOMELESS CARE PACKAGE IDEAS)
2. GIFTING - Think Low Waste + Less Stuff
I think our mind automatically goes to OBJECTS when gifting (guilty here too)! Before you gift someone a physical object, please be mindful of these ideas below while you’re making your decision.
Will this items cause them to have to manage something extra or will it take up a lot of valuable space in their home? The gift you’re thinking of for someone sounds awesome, but will it cause them to have to spend time on something new they’re weren’t planning for, taking up their time or space in their room?
KIDS: As this applies to kids, remind yourself that open space to move and create is the most valuable thing you can give a child.
Consider the case for disappearing gifts. At least this is what I like to call them, as they are intended to be gifted to someone, enjoyed and then they are gone (nothing physical is left behind). Think edibles, candles, flowers, soap, experiences like a trip, visit to a theater show or music, a visit to a favorite ice cream shop, etc. What I love about these is it allows someone to enjoy something special from someone without the burden of managing something new in their home and adding to clutter. Yes please! You can also consider making a donation to a charity of their choice on their behalf.
KIDS: I love this as it applies to kids because stuff just tends to collection around the little ones. Redirecting gift giving to something that is not an object is also important for them to learn that we can give to each other in many ways.
Ask for ideas on what to gift them + also what they don’t need. I often ask my sister especially when thinking of gifts for my nieces and nephews what they DON’T need in their home, what do they have plenty of already. This is a powerful question because it does ask someone to take visual inventory of what they have in their home, what they like and what their current needs/preferences are. This is not tacking, it is thoughtful to put the person you want to gift to in the drivers seat. If they have specific needs you open the door up to learn about them or consider a gift card to a specific place so they can get exactly what they want.
KIDS: I love this as it applies to kids because stuff just tends to collection around the little ones. Redirecting gift giving to something that is not an object is also important for them to learn that we can give to each other in many ways.
3. UNWANTED GIFTS - What To Do With Them
If you already have it, have too much of it, it is not your style or it’s not developmentally/age appropriate for your kids, it needs to go. No guilt needed, it’s just time to part ways with it + here’s your permission to do so!
Find out if you can return it. Even without a receipt, most stores have a policy with store credit, returns and exchanges for certain amounts (Target with your ID is $75 per year without a receipt the last I checked). I have had to do this in our home for duplicate books, games or items we just wouldn’t use in exchange for something we would.
Sell the item if you have the time + are willing to put in the energy. This is not always my recommendation, as many of us don’t have the time to managing selling something, but sometimes it works out just fine.
Can you gift it to someone else who would love it or find it useful? Depending on the item, this could be through local donations, schools, churches, shelters, local theaters or organizations, or by offering it to a neighbor, family or friend.
Repurpose it with a creative DIY. If there is something you do like about the item and you have space for it, consider adding some tweaks to it to make your own/your aesthetic. For example, you were gifted an art piece but the frame doesn’t go within anything in your home and it is not your vibe - consider painting it, refinished it (if wood) or replacing the frame. If you were gifted a pitcher or vase for flowers or for your vessels collection but you don’t love the color or finish, consider refinishing with paint or by creating a concrete/pottery look with paint and baking soda.
