The Minimalist's Holiday Gift Giving Guide

For years people have been asking me what I want for Christmas.  And when I say "people", I really mean my husband and my mom.  I've always been stumped around the holidays until last year when I realized I had a minimalist mindset.  My place may look like WWIII half of the time, but I'm constantly in the process of trying to get rid of shit.  That part of my life is never ending.  Before last year, I wondered if I even liked the holidays.  But I always came to the conclusion that I do love the holidays.  I love spending time with friends and family and I love eating traditional meals with all of them.  I love the scents of Christmas trees (from an ethical and local tree growing farm of course).  I love Christmas carols, the decorations (especially stockings hanging over the fireplace), ugly Christmas sweaters, mulled wine, hot buttered rum and reading It was the Night Before Christmas to my little one.  There isn't anything that I don't love about the holidays, but I realized I just don't want anymore stuff unless I really need it.  

Does this mean you shouldn't give a minimalist a gift at all?  Oh no, we still want something, and it better be good!  We want to be thought of too, we just don't want it to be in the form of a materialistic item.  Remember, it's the thought that counts, so for those of you who are trying to figure out what to get for your minimalist family or friend, this holiday gift giving guide might be just what you're looking for.  Here's the list for her or for him (for couples), for the kiddos, for your best friend (him or her), for your favorite colleague, for the college student, for the parents or grandparents, or for a pet.

For Her or For Him

• Flowers
• A massage or spa day
• mani/pedi
• A nice bottle of wine, sparkling wine, or champagne (perishables)
• chocolates (perishables)
• Tickets to a concert, play or musical (Hamilton anyone?)
• Skydiving
• Surfing/Standup Paddle Board/Windsurfing lessons
• Kayaking
• Bungee Jumping (Too 90's?)
• A hike to a beautiful and serene setting (one of my favorites)
• A picnic (if the weather allows it)
• Take a food and wine tour
• Take her/him to wine country
• Make them a nice dinner
• Go to a nice dinner together
• Take them on a tour of a nearby town or city you've never been to
• A walk on a beach together (my favorite)
• Tickets to their favorite professional sports team
• Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime Subscription
• A gym membership
• A gift card for a place that they absolutely love
• A gift card to a movie theater...or just take them to a movie
• Take them on a scenic bike ride 
• Take them on a nice vacation
• Horseback riding
• Take them on a ski/snowboarding trip

For a Kiddo (most kids aren't minimalists yet, this is more for the parents)

• A thin book that doesn't take too much space
• a superhero cape
• a trip to a kids' museum
• a trip to some kind of adventure land (Disneyland, Legoland)
• a trip to a candy making store
• a gift card to a bouncy house play place
• Make them perishables, such as a gingerbread house or gingerbread man cookies
• Take them to a local farm to pet animals
• Get them a gardening kit (why not, kids love to get dirty)

For Your Bestie (male or female)

• Any kind of perishable such as hot cocoa, wine, coffee, food, chocolates
• Take them to a nice dinner
• Cook them a nice dinner
• A small plant
• Tickets to a play, musical or concert
• Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime Subscription
• A gift card 
• Tickets to their favorite sports team
• Take them to a movie or give them movie tickets/gift card
• Take them out for a spa day
• Take them out for mani/pedi
• A book

For Your Favorite Colleague (to thank them for making work bearable)

• Gift card for coffee
• Take them to coffee
• Gift card for a restaurant
• Perishables like wine, coffee, chocolates
• Gift card for their favorite store

For a College Student

• A bag of groceries
• A gift card for their local grocery store
• A gas card
• A gift card for their favorite clothing store
• Pay one of their bills
• iTunes gift card (my fave)

For parents or grandparents

• Cook them a nice dinner
• Give them perishables such as gourmet popcorn, cookies, coffee
• Take them to dinner and a movie
• Give them a family photo
• Make them a photo book
• Give them a nice Christmas ornament
• A nice bottle of wine
• Gift card for the wine train at wine country
• A plane ticket to come visit you
• A cruise or vacation 
• A gift card for their favorite store
• A Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime subscription
• Hire someone to clean their house
• Hire someone to do their gardening

For a pet

• Treats
• A gift card for pet grooming services
• A gift card for dog walking services

Well there you have it!  It's a list for everyone and any type of budget whether it be large or small.  Have I forgotten anything?  Are there any other ideas that you might have?  If so, please add your ideas in the comments!

Cheers! Shelbi