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40 Best Minimalist Christmas Gifts (They Actually WANT!)

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Get your friends and family the gifts they actually want this year – items that won’t clutter up their homes. These are the 40 best minimalist Christmas gifts you can find, with ideas that will work for any kind of minimalist.

Living as a minimalist doesn’t mean you have to stop buying and giving gifts. You just have to be smarter about what you buy.

If you are struggling to come up with Christmas gift ideas for the minimalist in your life, read through the following list – you’ll find something epic for sure!

When you commit to shopping intentionally, you need to think about their values as you shop!

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.

Joshua Becker
A small cup of blooming tea on a table

The Best Minimalist Christmas Gifts

Just like the beloved white snowflakes of winter, no two minimalists are the same!

That’s why this list breaks down minimalist gift ideas that will work for all kinds of minimalists, including:

  • Experience gifts ideas for minimalists
  • Practical gifts for minimalists
  • Gifts for minimalists who love tech
  • Unique gift ideas for minimalists who are a little quirky

This list has something for everyone and will help you tell that special minimalist in your life that you care about them and their beliefs, both big and small.

When you pick out a gift from this list, you are giving them things they will actually use — which, truthfully, is the most thoughtful gift of all. If you don’t find what you’re looking for in this list, you can check out this list of the best hygge gifts for him or her.

A group of 3 gift ideas for minimalists

Experience gift ideas for minimalists

1. Memberships (Zoos, Museums, etc)

This is a fantastic idea for anyone that enjoys walks, animals, art, or simply spending time with you. In certain cities, you can even double your money, as there are zoo memberships that include access to museums too!

If you have children, family passes can save you a lot of money and give you and your family enriching activities to do throughout the year!

You might also consider buying an “America The Beautiful” pass. It gives the pass holder access to all the national parks in America.

2. Free Babysitting

Free babysitting is a really valuable gift – especially with the high cost of childcare. This also tells the person how much you support and care for them.

Minimalist moms and moms-to-be don’t want a lot of clutter, they want extra helping hands!

Be Inspired: 10 Minimalist Mom YouTube Channels to Follow Right Now

3. Massage Or Spa Day

Do you know someone that works really hard and could use a day off? A gift certificate to a local spa will do wonders for their body and their mental health.

A woman giving someone a back massage as a Christmas gift

4. The Container Store Gift Certificate

One part of living a minimalist lifestyle is staying organized. The most amazing place to shop to stay organized is The Container Store!

Even if you don’t have a brick-and-mortar store near you, an online gift certificate is just as amazing.

5. Tickets to the Opera or Theater

Local events and experiences are another really good minimalist gift idea. There are lots of different things you can do with this idea:

  • Drive-thru movies
  • Outdoor concerts
  • Gift certificate for an at-home streaming service

6. Virtual Classes

Do you have a minimalist in your life who loves to learn? Right now virtual online classes are the hottest way to learn new skills or explore hobbies.

Skillshare is an amazing online platform that allows you to take tons of premium online classes. You can participate in all sorts of online classes, including:

  • Cooking classes
  • Creative writing
  • Filmography and video editing
  • Music or illustration
  • Marketing and leadership
  • And more…

START NOW FOR FREE! Get premium unlimited Skillshare class access totally FREE for 14 days with this special link.

7. House Cleaning Service

Who wouldn’t love this? Take the responsibility of deep cleaning off their shoulders with a gift certificate for a local house cleaning service!

If they are a private person and don’t want a cleaning crew in their home, buy them a minimalist-focused home-cleaning subscription box.

8. A Family Photoshoot

A family photoshoot is a wonderful way to capture time and seal it on a work of art. Search for a professional photographer and give the gift of memories.

Include prints and frames in this gift so that it’s one less thing they have to think about.

9. Trip or Vacation

This can be as lavish as airfare overseas or as simple as gift certificates for a local bed and breakfast and a gift card for eating out and gifts.

For really choosy people, give them the gift of planning a future trip with them – where you will act as a travel agent and pay for all of it, but with their input.

10. Restaurant Gift Cards

Restaurant gift cards not only free up your friends/family from having to cook but it supports local businesses too. Make sure you give them certificates for their favorite places to eat.

Practical gifts for minimalists

1. A label maker

Minimalists LOVE a neat and tidy pantry!

A label maker is something they can open on Christmas and put to use right away. This is perfect for anyone that is trying to become more organized.

This is the model that I own, but they also have the newer ultra-minimalist “smart” cube model pictured below.

2. Amazon Prime Membership

Giving someone the gift of free shipping on Amazon is a huge money-saver! There are lots of other benefits of Amazon Prime membership too!

Prime members get access to:

  • Fast and free delivery
  • Thousands of movies and TV shows with Prime Video
  • Streaming millions of songs and thousands of playlists
  • Free Kindle e-books, unlimited photo storage, exclusive access to deals, Twitch, and much more

GET IT NOW: Check out all your options (they offer 3-month and 12-month subscriptions) and you can save tons of money with the Subscribe & Save program on items like diapers, wipes, vitamins, and more!

3. Fruit Trees or Bushes

Fruit trees or fruit-bearing shrubs make a perfect gift for any minimalist that loves nature. As it grows, they will always think of you.

Even better, they are a great way to add a practical pop of color in small apartments or spaces! Here are a few favorite gift ideas for the green-thumbed minimalist in your life:

  • Lemon trees
  • Blueberry bushes
  • Strawberries in hanging planters
  • Berry bushes
  • Etc

DON’T FORGET: Make sure to double-check that the plant you select is compatible with your local climate or can be grown indoors!

4. Herb Gardens or Gardening Kits

Even if someone you know lives in a really tiny apartment, they can still grow their own herbs with an herb garden kit. Fresh herbs taste so much better than dried ones, too.

SEE IT NOW!

BONUS: Add in a handcrafted herb drying rack — you get a functional kitchen tool that doubles as a work of art!

5. Pro-Grade Silicone Baking Mat (with Baking Cheatsheets!

A really thoughtful gift for the minimalist in your life that loves to bake!

Not only does this silicone baking mat help reduce waste from foil and parchment paper, but it also comes with a handy cheat sheet that includes:

  • Celcius to Farenheight conversion chart
  • Grams to ounces conversion guide
  • A fluid conversation table
  • A cups to milliliter conversation table
  • Sizing guide for pastries, pizza crust, and other bakeable

6. A Luxurious Turkish Bathrobe

Nothing quite beats the feeling of relaxing in a bathrobe after a hot shower. This luxe full-length Turkish bathrobe may LOOK like a million bucks, but it’s super affordable for an at-home spa experience every day.

7. Bamboo and glass storage containers

Can you say life-changing?

I just love how clean and simple Bamboo and glass storage containers look in the pantry. If you know someone that is trying to organize their kitchen, this is the perfect gift!

(They also come in a square version.)

8. Colorful erasable pens

Obsessed with journaling and keeping a tidy office? Delight your inner organized unicorn with these colorful erasable gel pens!

With over 20 epic colors in each pack, you will never run out of options.

9. Reusable Water Bottle

Another part of taking care of their health and living a minimalist lifestyle is a reusable water bottle. Give them a stylish 32 oz water bottle for Christmas, which they will be proud to use it every day.

10. College Fund

Looking for a gift for minimalist kids or their parents?

Donating towards a college fund is really thoughtful for graduating seniors, anyone currently in college, or anyone that is saving or paying for their child’s college education.

PRO-TIP: If you are looking for non-toy gift ideas for younger kids, read this post with 37 gift ideas that won’t clutter up your home!

Gifts for minimalists who love tech

1. Kindle E-Reader

The best way to still enjoy reading books without amassing a large collection is by using an e-Reader. The Kindle is the best one out there – it is waterproof, easy on the eyes (you can even read it outside), and has 32 GB of storage!

2. Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are luxurious and help maintain good gum health. Not only will this make toothbrushing more enjoyable, but it could help save them money on dental bills.

3. AirPods

Official AirPods from Apple are worth the price tag. They give amazing sound quality and are great if someone you know works from home and has to do video conferences!

4. Instant Camera

Giving someone a camera that prints the photo instantly – like the Fujifilm Instax – gives them the gift of making memories! This gift will provide endless hours of laughter and fun.

Grab any of these 14 cool colors and a bonus pack of the film because snapping these instant pics is addictive!

5. Amazon Echo Dot

This is a fun little gadget for everyone. The Amazon Echo Dot fits seamlessly on any shelf and works with lots of other smart devices.

6. FitBit

These devices will help your friends take control of their health. They do so much more than tracking steps. Now they almost act like a smartwatch.

The Fitbit Charge 4 has built-in GPS and slim design (I have the Charge 3 which I love, and this is the updated version of that model!) The Fitbit Versa 2 has Alexa built into it and looks like a smartwatch.

The most advanced one is the Fitbit Sense Advanced. It has an EDS scan app that detects your body’s response to stress and your skin’s temperature. With this device, you can track temperature, heart rate, sleep, and activity levels.

7. Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Have a minimalist in your life that travels frequently? This gift is perfect for them.

Studies have shown that excessive noise can cause stress and have negative side effects over time. These noise-canceling headphones can give your loved ones the peace of mind they deserve and help them relax even when they are on the road.

8. Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Protect their eyes in style!

These 5-star rated glasses help block the blue light that is emitted by most computers and video game screens for the minimalist in your life that really loves their tech.

9. Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Normally you would never consider giving someone a vacuum cleaner as a gift – that’s like saying, “here, clean up for fun!”

But THIS robot vacuum cleaner will give your friends/family members more time for fun and less time spent cleaning by taking literally taking the responsibility out of their hands!

The best-rated robot vacuum cleaners are from iRobot (Roomba) and Shark.

10. Ergonomic Laptop Riser (with Heat Vents & Non-Slip Pad)

Laptop users are often hunched over their computer, straining forward to see or leaning forward to type, which over time can cause tension and strain on the body.

This ergonomic minimalist laptop stand is adjustable and puts your laptop at the perfect eye level for use, which helps maintain a comfortable body posture.

Unique gift ideas for minimalists

1. The Original Buddha Board

Simply fill this zen-fully beautiful stand with water, dip the bamboo brush in, and start drawing, painting, and writing! You’ll create soft, beautiful images with a rich, inky Japanese look.

“Appreciate your creation in the moment, and then as the water evaporates and your masterpiece slowly fades away, practice the art of letting go.”

With over 2,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, you can’t go wrong with this minimalist gift.

2. Ethical & sustainable linen clothing

This handmade + ethical linen clothing brand has nearly 120,000 sales, raving 5-star fans, and has been featured by a number of minimalist bloggers and YouTubers!

If they love the look of aesthetic minimalism they will definitely love this brand!

A woman wearing a minimalist linen jumper

Ethical linen from @notPERFECTLINEN

3. Puzzles

Puzzles are fantastic gifts, especially if you are giving them to someone that you can put them together with. The most thoughtful way to give a puzzle is to get them one from their favorite painter or find a theme that would inspire them, such as the stunning mandala puzzle pictured below.

4. Heirloom Cookware

Some of my most prized possessions are the heirloom cookware pieces I inherited from my mother and father after their passing.

If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime.

This loving gift will feed not only the receiving party but also their family — maybe for generations to come!

5. Edible Gifts

Anything that they can eat – especially if it is a gourmet version of their favorite foods – is going to be a hit! Food makes a perfect minimalist Christmas gift because it doesn’t stay around very long.

You can go the DIY route and make them by hand, such as a gift basket full of homemade goodies, or purchase them at any store or online.

Here are just a few examples:

A box of artisan chocolates.

Artisanal chocolates from @trufflesandcreams

6. Minimalist Wallet

Minimalism counts in fashion, too!

This minimalist wallet stores all their money and cards without being too bulky. A side-benefit of a minimalist wallet is that it doesn’t hurt their hip when they sit on it.

7. Capsule Wardrobe Rack

Capsule wardrobes are popular among minimalists who have decluttered their clothing. A free-standing clothing rack like this one can easily in any corner or closet.

The gorgeous copper capsule wardrobe rack pictured below has two levels and fits in smaller spaces.

A minimalist double copper capsule wardrobe rack

See copper double wardrobe @LittleDeerInteriors

8. Pour Over Glass Coffee Maker

Coffee is an essential part of life. If you know a coffee-lover, then give them a pour-over glass coffee maker. It’s simple, doesn’t need to be plugged in, and fits neatly inside any cabinet.

9. Coffee or Tea Gift Box

Don’t forget about caffeine!

If you know someone that loves coffee, then give them a coffee or tea gift box filled up with all their favorite coffee or tea blends or fun new flavors to try (blooming teas are a very popular choice).

Add a special mug and some treats to eat along with their morning cup of coffee.

10. Books About Minimalism

What about giving a minimalist Christmas gift that helps anyone that is just starting with minimalism?

I already found all the best books about minimalism so, check them out and buy one for your friends!

Bonus FREE minimalist gift idea – take the 30-day minimalism challenge together!

Want to save money AND explore minimalism? Why not sign up for the 30-Day Minimalism challenge together.

Minimalism is so much more than decluttering your possessions – this challenge will help you tackle physical, mental, and digital clutter with 30 days of minimalism exercises tailored to YOUR life.

You will not only get a free printable PDF download to follow along but also daily email reminders with special modifications – do more or less depending on how much time you have!

Minimalist Christmas Gifts To Buy This Holiday Season

The key to giving the best Christmas gifts is to think about what they love and value the most.

Use these ideas as a starting point.

If you give them the gift of experiences or time off, go the extra step and give them experiences that they enjoy the most!

Watch the video!

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