(Photo: Ask any minimalist what they want for Christmas, and I guarantee they’ll say “nothing.” However, if you’re set on buying something anyway, I’ve compiled a list of gift ideas in keeping with their lifestyle.
(If you’re the minimalist, you may want to pass this post along to friends and family!)
So here it is—the Top Ten Gifts for a Minimalist (or What to Give Someone Who Doesn’t Want Stuff):
1. Amazon Kindle. Yes, the Amazon Kindle
2. Scanner. It’ll help the minimalist in your life declutter their documents, and can also be used for digitizing photos, postcards, letters, magazine articles, and any other stray scrap of paper lying on their desk. Two to consider: the NeatDesk Desktop Scanner
3. iTunes gift card. If they have an iPod, they can always use some digital music.
4. Gourmet items. Minimalists prefer consumables to stuff. A bottle of fine wine, a box of nice chocolates, or a selection of fine cheeses will be appreciated and enjoyed—without generating any clutter.
5. Luxury bath items. A bar of artisan soap, or luxurious lotion, is another lovely “consumable” gift. Choose something that they’d like, but wouldn’t necessarily splurge on for themselves.
6. Tickets. Minimalists also prefer experiences to material things. If it’s consistent with their interests, tickets to a cultural (symphony, ballet, opera) or sporting event make an ideal gift.
7. Restaurant gift certificate. Pick their favorite restaurant, or new hot spot, and treat them to a nice dinner out.
8. Gift membership. Give them a year’s membership to a museum, zoo, botanical garden, or other cultural institution. They’ll get free admission and other VIP perks.
9. Charitable donation. If your minimalist is passionate about a certain cause (or just generally philanthropic), make a donation to their favorite charity.
10. Nothing. Hey, it’s probably what they asked for anyway—so why not make them happy, and make your life a little easier? 
I’d love to hear any further suggestions! If you’re a minimalist, what would you like to receive?
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Great ideas.
I wouldn’t like a kindle, I think digital clutter still is clutter. I don’t believe in having a great library, digital or otherwise.
Besides, if I buy a second hand book and sell it after reading it (I only keep essential or favorite books), sometimes I can even sell it for a better price! That would almost mean that I have been paid to read, which I think it’s cool.
I offer baby sitting evenings to parents,
I offer perfumes, trees or plants to put in the garden (if they have got one).
I invite children for a week-end and suggest their parents to do wathever they enjoy.
As for Kindle or ipod, I think they would be clutter for me.
With everyone so busy these days, the gift of someone’s time is very precious to me. A lunch or dinner date or a hike with friends is a great gift to me.
I also like to receive (and give) a holiday outdoor wreath or winter forced bulbs as they brighten up my home and after the holiday I can dispose of them in the compost.
Nothing. The habits of reflexive buying and material affection need to be broken.
Wow, these are all such great ideas. I love the idea of a plant for someone to put in their garden. A hike and picnic also seem like such a nice gift. I work for Aveda and you can make a customized perfume for someone for very little money. That would be a nice personal gift. A facial or massage would also be nice. What wonderful ideas. As for reflexive buying, I eliminated that a long time ago. When someone gets a present from me, it is from the heart. I also like the old fashioned gift of something baked!
Oh, I forgot to mention that I’m adding your site to my daily fix reading list. I think others would enjoy your blog.
~janet
Money, If I want a gift then I will buy it for myself. Plus, you can never go wrong with cash/check.
I got a kindle about a month and it’s great. I have freed up so much space. I’ve kept a few books that I love and am unable to get in kindle format but like you, aspire to have a digital library.
Nothing! My sister and I have agreed not to exchange “stuff” this year. Hoping we can influence the rest of the family, but my mother is the worst – she has everything and still wants more. Quantity over quality! Give her the trinkets and doodads and she’ll be happy. Makes this minimalist’s heart break….
I like your list.
No Kindle for me. Old school – love the ‘feel’ of holding a book, and the ability to pass it on, fraught with my highlights and margin notes
The best gift for me: Time and attention from/with a beloved. Wrapping optional :-0
Good point, Michel–that’s a great system for enjoying books, while maintaining a minimalist library. I travel a lot (and very lightly), so digital books are more convenient for me; I can read them on my iPod Touch on long plane and train rides.
nicole 86, I think babysitting services are the BEST gift for parents!
You’re right, Zoe–giving the gift of your TIME is much more precious than store-bought presents.
Well said, Willoughby–I agree, and hope our society starts taking steps in that direction.
janet, I love a gift of baked goods too… Thanks so much for adding my blog to your reading list–I really appreciate it!
Adam, I agree–and I think cash would be a particularly appreciated gift in this economy!
Edwina, I’m glad you’re enjoying your Kindle! I haven’t purchased one yet–I’ve been reading my digital books on my PC (at home) and iPod Touch (while traveling). I hope that the more obscure titles in my library become available soon so I can sell/donate the physical books.
Michelle, I understand, it can be difficult to get the whole family on board. Sometimes you just have to take baby steps in the right direction…
Jean, my only quibble with digital books is the inability to share. But I’m willing to sacrifice that to avoid lugging/shipping/storing a box or two of books every time we move. As far as gifts go, I’m with you–I’ll take time and attention any day over a store-bought present!
[...] Top Ten Gifts for a Minimalist [...]
I am a bit late to respond, I just found your blog today and am very much enjoying your posts and reader comments. Finally, my mom has jumped on board with my family’s minimalist wishes and we received 10 lbs. of coffee, nuts, cheese, and Amazon and itunes gift cards this holiday season – I have a kindle and love it so far. Books are a bit of a challenge, as I am in grad school and the reading is a bit esoteric to find easily, be it second hand or in digital formats.
I usually ask for nothing, no gifts for holidays, birthdays, etc. But I noticed that by requesting this, it took away the joy of giving from my loved ones, and that was not what I was after. So instead, I wish for us to do things together – I ask for acts, acts of love, service, and kindness. On my birthday last year, I asked for a love letter from my longtime beloved – he is usually quite pragmatic, but this request brought out his romantic flair and the letter he gifted me with generated a palpable change in our lives, that love letter was a humdinger and I recall it at least once a week.
For Christmas, my request was that my family memorize the monologue from How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Boris Karloff – just in case any of us would need to recite it at will – it is hilarious that we all know it. During the summer we all learned Michael Jackson’s dances to Thriller and Beat It…when he passed away suddenly last year, we were all able to pay him tribute through our own less-athletic interpretations of his classic dances.
The memories of these moments are better than any material thing any of us could possess.
Kelly, many thanks for sharing this! I love the idea of asking for “acts of love, service, and kindness.” What a great way to create fabulous memories for your family, without any “stuff!”
Hi miss m, I’m really enjoying your blog & catching up with older posts. I feel you are a kindred spirit.
Every year for Mother’s Day, my DH & kids take my car in for “spring cleaning” – wash, wax, shampoo upholstery, and fix any scratches. That is my Mother’s Day gift, and I love it, as it would take me almost a full day to accomplish DIY.
For Father’s Day, the kids & I always renew my husband’s flight-club membership. He travels a lot for work and it’s a way we feel we are helping him be more comfortable while he’s on the road.
Great gifts that we both appreciate & are truly grateful for.
One year for my teenage daughter’s birthday, we gave her a homemade “book” of envelopes stapled together; each envelope containing $20. She’d reached the age where she needed money for activities more than anything else. I decorated each envelope with a suggestion, such as “Play golf with your friends”, or “Have fun at the county fair”. She has a lot of good memories of that summer.
Wow, amandine, what wonderful gifts! I especially like the idea of a car wash for Mother’s (or Father’s) Day–such a nice alternative to something bought in a store.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog, and hope to hear from you again!