Sherry's Gigantic CLUTTER-FREE Gift-Giving Guide

The ultimate list of unconventional, affordable, innovative, and potentially heroic gift ideas, updated and simplified for 2024

The holidays¹ are upon us. Gift-giving holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or even just birthdays can easily become craptacular events that require bins and boxes of stored clutter and trips to the store to even celebrate—and that’s before the gifts themselves, which often add even more clutter to our lives. As full-time nomads, my husband Andy and I can’t do clutter. Walter, our big yellow adventure truck, holds everything we need for our simple life, but not much else. Even if you aren’t a nomad or attempting to buy for one, though, a little less clutter would be welcome, right?

Before we begin, allow me to define the terms clutter and affordable.

Not all material possessions count as clutter. Nice socks, for example, are wonderful. But owning so many pairs of socks that many of them never leave the back corners of the sock drawer is silly. The extraneous socks—cozy as they are—are clutter: taking up space for no useful purpose. That is my definition of clutter. Yours may vary.

Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, affordability is in the budget of the giver. What is considered stingy to one might be generous to another. You know what you want to spend on a gift, and you have your reasons. I am not here to make budget recommendations or judge. So don’t scan the list below for price categories; I have stirred all the ideas together like a big batch of Chex Mix.

Prepare to take notes. Here we go.

GIFT CARDS/GIFT CERTIFICATES

Let’s get these out of the way first. When faced with someone difficult to buy for, many people shrug and pick up a gift card to Amazon or Target or some other favorite retailer. If a gift card is as complicated as you want to go this year, I recommend something that won’t be immediately traded for more material possessions that eventually become clutter. Or if the end result is still more stuff, let’s at least try to make it creative stuff.

• FOOD - Get innovative! There is more to life than Applebees and Olive Garden. Research the recipient’s area and find something fun and unique. Just search up a specific category like ice cream, frozen yogurt, coffee, boba tea, sushi, pizza, BBQ, cookies, pho, donuts, craft beer, cupcakes, breakfast burritos, curry, cinnamon rolls, falafel, chocolates, etc. in their town and see what comes up. Even if you can’t go there in person, you can usually purchase an e-gift card online or phone directly and ask them to mail a physical card or certificate to your gift recipient.

• MOVIE THEATER - If you have movie lovers on your list, check to see which theaters are available in their area. Search online for the website or phone number of the theaters nearby and inquire about gift card options.

• NURSERY/GREENHOUSE - Even in a colder climate, the person on your list with the green thumb will not be sad to have to wait for spring to use a gift certificate to a local nursery. On the contrary, a winter promise of spring planting leaves ample time to research and plan. Even if the local nurseries are closed for the season, a quick phone call will probably do the trick.

• SECOND-HAND STORE - Thrift shopping can be loads of fun for a person who is patient and willing to sort through lots of things they don’t like to find the unexpected treasures they absolutely love. Yes, this could potentially add crap into someone’s home, but hopefully it will be highly curated and deeply loved crap, so that’s different. Perhaps you could issue a challenge with your gift that for every item they purchase with their gift card, they should donate back two (or five) things they rarely ever wear or use.

• CRAFT/FABRIC/HOBBY STORE - Make a bold move toward something not digital. If the person you are shopping for has never really expressed much interest in crafty things, all the better! Your gift card will get them in the door and exploring the aisles, triggering their creative juices and activating their brain. Who knows? It might launch a new passion in their life!

• BOOK STORE - Look for a locally owned small business in the recipient’s town—bonus points for one that deals in both new and used books. Your gift will stretch a long way there, and chances are, the recipient will love the freedom to trade their own used books in exchange for store credit, if they weren’t already aware of this system. This one is great for all ages and activity levels.

• HOME IMPROVEMENT/MAINTENANCE STORE - If you want to look beyond the typical big box stores, many cities have a Habitat for Humanity fundraising outlet called ReStore (or something similar) filled with used building materials, appliances, furniture, odd bits of funky decor, and home maintenance supplies. These are great places for inspiration, as well as for budget-friendly repairs and replacements, great for anyone with a fixer-upper home, or someone with an eye for quirky, vintage design.

• GAME STORE - Another great way to build non-screen time into young people’s lives is to get them interested in playing physical board games and card games. The world of old-school analog gaming has exploded in recent years as people fight against the intrusion of ever-present glowing screens. Game stores even host game night events where people can try out new games before buying.

• BODY ART SALON - Won’t that artsy adult be floored when they open a gift certificate to a tattoo/piercing shop from YOU? Ha! It’s much more common now than it once was. If the person is already set in a career that doesn’t mind a little body art (or they have already retired!), then it’s really no big deal. If they are still young, however, you might at least suggest only placing tattoos where they can be covered by typical work clothes when necessary, just in case.

• BEAUTY SALON/DAY SPA - Haircuts, color, highlights, manicures, pedicures, facials, massages; who wouldn’t love the gift of pampering? Even if it is not the salon the recipient usually frequents, it makes for a fun gift of trying something new. This would be a fun gift for a set of siblings or cousins, too.

SPECIAL EXPERIENCES/ACTIVITIES

Instead of something available to use at any time, like a gift card to a restaurant or movie theater, how about something the recipient might only do once over the course of a year, or perhaps even once in a lifetime? Check out the event calendar for the area where the gift recipient lives (including any local universities) and do a little snooping. Also check out a website called Viator to find unique experience ideas in their area. We’ve had good experiences with that site, as it is driven by user reviews with comments.

• CONCERTS - How about two tickets to a concert in a musical genre they might like? If it is not a band or genre they already know, even better! Free tickets will help a person expand their horizons a bit. They might even discover a new favorite! Don’t be afraid of something that seems a bit obscure. One of the coolest concerts I’ve ever attended was a night of Afro-Cuban big band music—most of it in Spanish. I didn’t understand much, but it was incredibly entertaining.

• LIVE THEATRE - It doesn’t have to be as expensive as the Broadway touring company. Search up the local community theaters and look at their upcoming season. And don’t forget dinner theatre! Ready to spend a little more? Season tickets to a small community theater might not be out of reach.

• HIGH TEA - What a fun gift that would be to give! Search up tea shops and local historic mansions and see what’s available. It might be the perfect gift for a mom and daughter(s), or a group of friends, or all the cousins.

• ART SHOW/MUSEUM EXHIBIT OPENING - The opening of a special exhibit at a local art gallery or museum is another great gift to expand someone’s horizons a bit. Check their calendars to see if a new exhibit is coming up. There may be an interesting and educational presentation by the artist or a visiting expert, and they just might serve fancy hors d’oeuvres and have a jazz combo playing in one corner.

• TICKETS TO THE GAME - Seeing an athletic team play live is exciting for sports fans of any age, whether it’s professional, minor league, or college. Don’t forget about lesser known and women’s sports, too. Going to see a college volleyball game or a water polo match, for example, is an exciting experience and could be quite inspiring for a budding young athlete.

• A VIEW FROM THE SKY - Depending on your location, a local small airport might be an excellent source of a scenic ride in a small plane or a hot air balloon. The less touristy the area, the better your chances are of finding something affordable. It’s always fascinating to see your home region from the air, and a ride like one of these is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

• A VIEW FROM THE SEA - If your recipient is near the ocean, a whale watching excursion is a fascinating experience at the right time of year. The more people on the boat, the lower the price will be. Read up on reviews before committing, of course.

• GOLF - Amateurs or novices who might enjoy learning would love a trip to the driving range or greens fees paid up in advance, just waiting for them to schedule a tee time.

• BATTING CAGES - Baseball and softball fans would love an excursion to a local batting cage center where they can test their skills against consistent pitches at a variety of speeds.

• ICE SKATING/ROLLER SKATING - Cold climates will have the option of outdoor ice rinks, while warmer locations will usually have an indoor rink somewhere. And lots of places still have a classic roller rink just like you remember. It’s a great idea for a family, a couple, or a single (with an extra pass to bring a friend).

• BOWLING - Over the decades, this activity has never lost its appeal. Some bowling alleys get fancy these days and offer black light/neon sessions. And they all love to offer specials, including multiple games, shoes, and food/drink. This would be a fun experience for any age!

• SKI/SNOWBOARD LIFT TICKETS - Teens and young adults who love to ski or snowboard always enjoy receiving lift tickets for a day on the slopes. Perhaps you could wrap a fun new winter hat or scarf to go with a day pass.

• FISHING TRIP - Live near a big body of water, but don’t have a boat? The anglers or those who wish they were would love a chartered fishing trip. Depending on the number of passengers, the prices can vary widely, so check around. Maybe you even know someone personally who could make this happen for a discounted price.

• AMUSEMENT PARK/WATER PARK/FAMILY FUN CENTER - This makes a great gift for the entire family at once. Amusement parks, large or small, frequently offer off-season specials for tickets to be used later in the year. Many cities have water parks with giant slides and wave pools—some even indoors. And don’t forget the family fun centers with their miniature golf, bumper cars, laser tag, and the like. No one will forget they have this experience waiting for them when the weather improves.

• PARKS PASS(ES) - An annual pass to the recipient’s State Park system or the National Parks is an excellent gift for couples or families who like to get outdoors and do a little hiking and exploring. The freedom to go whenever the opportunity arises is an excellent gift. Plus, all U.S. National Parks and some state parks as well have junior ranger programs for kids (and kids at heart). Time spent outdoors is never wasted.

CLASSES AND LESSONS

Learning to do something new is always exciting. Again, you can go with interests you already know they have, or you can go for something they’ve never tried before—it could be the start of a lifelong hobby.

• COOKING CLASS - Search for options local to your gift recipient. You may be surprised at the offerings that come up! Perhaps someone you love would enjoy learning how to make sushi, or pierogies, or Scandinavian desserts, or kombucha, or hard cider. Be sure to check for any age restrictions if you are thinking of gifting the class to an older child or teen.

• SIP & PAINT CLASS - If you know someone who would like to try their hand at painting, but feels a little intimidated, offer a sip and paint party, where adults (or maybe even teens) at any ability level can spend an evening painting under the direction of a skilled artist, while sipping beverages and munching on snacks—a fun and relaxing event for a single, a couple, or a group.

• IN-DEPTH COURSEWORK - Many people love studying and learning things on a deeper level. Check out MasterClass and The Great Courses for adults, as well as other sites like Outschool, Udemy and Coursera for online coursework for multiple different age and ability levels. Intensive classes are offered on many topics, from everyday skills to arts & music, technology, and assorted academic pursuits.

• ROLLER SKATING LESSONS - Roller rinks still exist, still rent out those awesome and clunky skates, and even offer lessons. When I was a kid, my girl scout troop took roller skating lessons together every Saturday morning for a month or two—a half hour lesson followed by a couple of hours of open skate time. I still remember how much fun that was.

• ICE SKATING LESSONS - Same as above, but on ice, ice baby!

• SKATEBOARDING, SKIING, SNOWBORDING, OR SURFING LESSONS - For the more adventurous young person, how about some high energy extreme sport lessons? Kids (and adults) love to be good at fun things, and lessons help develop skills and confidence.

• DANCE LESSONS - Many people, in all walks of life, wish they were better dancers. Frequently, studios offer introductory sets of lessons, just to see if you like it before committing. This could make a great gift. Ballroom, hip hop, salsa, swing, ballet, tap—so many options.

• SPECIALIZED SPORTS LESSONS - Don’t forget gymnastics, swimming, martial arts, tennis, even fencing! It’s so fun to learn new things, even if you don’t stick with it for long and only pick up some of the basics. Oh, and don’t forget the gift of sessions with a certified personal trainer if your recipient goes to the gym to work out—or would like to start.

• MUSIC LESSONS - How about a second-hand keyboard and some introductory piano lessons, just to see if they like it? Any musical instrument or voice lessons would be great. This gift could launch a life-long passion and unlock a world of opportunities.

• ART & CRAFT CLASSES - For more confidence with hands-on creative expression, consider classes in painting, sewing, DSLR photography, sculpture, ceramics, flower-arranging, etc. Check with local galleries and museums, plus art and craft stores. Even places like Michael’s and Joann Fabrics frequently offer one-day make-and-take classes in all sorts of things. Maybe you could sign up too and learn something new together!

MEMBERSHIPS

Although some can be on the more expensive side, an individual, or couple, or family annual membership to something makes a great gift. I remember being on the receiving end of this several times when my kids were young. The freedom to go and enjoy a favorite activity frequently is a thoughtful and wonderful gift.

• MUSEUM MEMBERSIPS - Museums can be fascinating for all ages, and even kids who are reluctant at first will likely learn to enjoy them in time. Consider science and technology museums, classical and contemporary art museums, human and natural history museums, hands-on children’s museums, special topic museums like aircraft, automotive, maritime, railroad or military museums, museums that honor a particular culture or craft. Check the varying levels of membership on the website—if it says it’s part of a reciprocal program, that means the membership to that one museum also applies to other museums in the same program all over the country or even the world. Our family did this during our extended travels; we purchased a membership to a science museum in one town, then enjoyed unlimited free admission to amazing science museums in major cities all across the United States. Some museums also include other cool features like a planetarium, an IMAX movie theater, a ship, or even a submarine parked outside to explore. Some of these require extra admission, though, so check the details.

• ESTATE MEMBERSHIPS - For getting outdoors and enjoying a wide range of beauty and craftsmanship without too much hiking, consider a membership to a garden, an arboretum, a historic grand estate, or a botanical society. These can also be part of a reciprocal program, so pay attention to the fine print. And don’t forget Japanese gardens; they are some of the most entrancing places you’ll ever visit.

• WILDLIFE VIEWING MEMBERSHIPS - If an annual pass is out of your budget range, even singular tickets to an aquarium, zoo, or wildlife park make for great gift options. And they’re not just for children, either! A couple or an individual (with a guest pass for a friend) would appreciate getting to spend a day observing and learning about these fascinating creatures. Check online to see what is around your intended recipient’s area.

• PRACTICAL MEMBERSHIPS - Other membership ideas are less playful and more practical. For young adults, consider a AAA membership with emergency roadside service, flat repair, accidental lockout service, emergency fuel delivery, etc. For middle-aged adults, a membership to AARP could get a good laugh at the family gathering, but it’s actually handy for getting various discounts and services. A Costco membership would be a great gift for a young family who wouldn’t have otherwise splurged on it.

• SPECIAL INTEREST MEMBERSHIPS - Abundant options exist for memberships around specialized interests, like a specific car club, a local historical society, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the Sierra Club, or, for the budding genealogist, Ancestry.com. Choose a topic and search for online memberships around it.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Getting something positive in the mail never loses its appeal for adults, and kids these days rarely receive anything in the mail with their own names on the front. A subscription is a gift that lasts all year long.

• PRINT MAGAZINES AND JOURNALS - These are nearly a thing of the past, but they’re not dead yet. Remember the thrill of receiving a magazine in the mail, addressed to you, then curling up in a comfy chair to read article after luxurious article?

• GIFT OF THE MONTH CLUBS - This concept has been trending significantly for the past few years. There is one for every concept imaginable, it seems: coffee clubs, flower clubs, mystery-solving clubs, hot sauce clubs, scented candle clubs, snacks from other countries clubs, bacon clubs, dog treat and toy clubs, make-up clubs, sock clubs, chocolate clubs, soap clubs, succulent clubs, kids’ crafts clubs, fabric clubs, even ice cream clubs where they send you a new pint each month, packed in dry ice for shipping. The prices vary wildly, but I suppose it is fun to get a package in the mail each month with new things to try. A word of caution, though: other than the consumable items, the recipient risks ending up with significant amounts of unnecessary clutter. Who really needs 12 extra pairs of socks, on top of what they already have? And twelve jars of hot sauce? Seems excessive. Use discretion.

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I’ve been saving the best part for last!

If you think this gift guide has been helpful already and want to share it, here’s the link, but it’s about to get even better.

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PERSONALIZED GIFTS OF YOURSELF

Instead of giving something someone else created, why not give from your own talents and accumulated years of experience?

• BABYSITTING - Give the recipient an evening out (with or without a gift card to a restaurant). Maybe even commit to several times spread throughout the coming year.

• HOMEMADE MEAL AND/OR DESSERT - Prearrange a date and deliver it to their house.

• CASUAL PHOTO SHOOT - If you have a good eye and a steady hand, gift a fun photo session at a park or the beach, then email them the digital files. (If you’re good at photo editing, you could offer that, too.)

• PASS ALONG SKILLS - What are you good at that others might appreciate learning? Consider things like knitting, sewing, woodworking, cooking, pie making, cake decorating, art appreciation, computer programing, bird-watching, rock hounding, magic tricks, dog training, house plants, graphic design, home maintenance, hair styling, painting, drawing, candy-making, photography, make-up, acting, stage make-up, sailing, canning, pasta making, pickling, car maintenance, gardening, landscaping, paper making, ham radio, cursive handwriting, calligraphy, first aid, outdoor survival, emergency preparedness, small engine repair, musical instrument, voice, public speaking, creative writing, basic financial literacy, etc. If both of you enjoy your tutelage, offer it again next year. A gift of Woodworking 101 in your shop this year could progress to intermediate and advanced levels in the years to come.

GROUP PROJECTS

Rather than pass along your skills in a general sense, why not make it specific to a particular project? Consider some of these options as starters, just to get your creative juices flowing:

• HOME UPGRADE - Continuing with the woodworking example, you could teach your gift recipient how to do basic carpentry by working side-by-side, installing crown molding together in one or more rooms of their house with you covering the cost of materials, if possible. What a great gift!

• SEWING PROJECT - Offer to work together to create a t-shirt quilt from all the fun memory t-shirts that have piled up over the years (and are currently just taking up space as clutter). Or work together to make curtains or throw pillows or custom pillowcases.

• GARDENING - Work together at their house, passing along the things you’ve learned over the years. Again, offer to buy some or all the plants, soil, etc., if you can.

• LANDSCAPING PROJECT - Put your design skills and ingenuity to work and help them create and install a pretty water feature or a new garden path in their backyard.

• AUTOMOTIVE PROJECT - Work on fixing up their project car together or just show them how to do necessary repairs on their daily driver.

• DINNER PARTY - Help them create a fancy multi-course dinner, then clear out while they have their friends over for a little party. Perhaps you could even loan your fancy dishes or serving pieces for the event and/or take their kids to your house for the night.

• WINE TASTING PARTY - Put your years of experience and study to use by acting the part of the sommelier for a wine-tasting event for the recipient(s) and their friends, at their home.

• PRIVATE DANCE LESSONS - Offer small group dance lessons for a couple, or for them and a few friends, teaching them some steps from a day gone by.

• EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY - If photography is your thing, offer to be the event photographer for their event, whether it is a formal or casual occasion. You could even set up a silly photo booth with fun props or a mini studio (just a backdrop and good lighting) to gift a nice headshot portrait to each of the guests to use in their professional lives.

• HANDWRITING/CALLIGRAPHY - Teach young people to read and write cursive handwriting and then send them a series of handwritten letters in the mail for to “decipher.” Or teach them calligraphy and then help them create fancy party invitations for their event.

• CHAUFFEUR - Do you have a nice car? Play the part of an aloof, well-dressed chauffeur to take teens to a school dance or a young couple on a fancy date.

• MURAL ART PROJECT - If you have the art skills to do it well, offer to draw a mural on a wall in their house and work together to paint it.

OTHER CREATIVE AND PRACTICAL PERSONAL GIFTS

There are so many possibilities for practical gifts when you want to give something of yourself, but you don’t live near one another. Here are just a few:

• AIRLINE MILES - If you have been a frequent flier for years, you may end up with more miles than you need for yourself. Donate a big chunk of airline miles or points so someone else can afford to travel. Perhaps you could even offer your expertise over a Zoom call or a series of emails about how to effectively acquire and utilize miles and points.

• VACATION - Offer your cabin, condo, or rental unit for a free stay. Schedule a camping trip where you can meet up for a weekend. Especially if it is for a young family, you could offer to do all the meal planning/shopping/prep. With a bigger budget, you could even spring for a little vacation together.

• THIRD-PARTY FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE - Create a pizza delivery punch card with a set number of pizzas they can order over the course of the year, but they call YOU instead of their local pizza place and then YOU call in the order, pay for it, and have it delivered to their house. Not pizza fans? Choose something else they like. You can make a creative physical punch card and send it in the mail or just tell them how many punches they get and keep a tally sheet in your phone or on the refrigerator door.

• DONATIONS - If none of the above ideas will work for whatever reason, and the person you’d like to buy for really doesn’t want ANYTHING, you can always make a donation to a good cause in the recipient’s name. Make sure it is a cause the recipient would support, then give them a little note or certificate showing proof of their donation.

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Are you inspired yet?

You made it to the end! I hope you found at least a few things that would work for your gift-giving needs—promoting a lifestyle involving less clutter and hopefully fewer hours spent staring at glowing screens.

Which ideas made you grin? What have I missed? Please add any other fun, fresh, clutter-free ideas in the comments. I can’t wait to read about what creative gifts you have given, or received, or what you hope to give, or whatever else popped into your head as you read through all this. With your comments added, this will likely be the longest gift-giving guide in the West, or at least the longest here on Substack. You might want to check back in a couple of days to see what others have added.

If you think others will be equally inspired, here’s that share link again:

For those who are new here, you should know this post is atypical for me. I usually write about our adventures as we travel the world as full-time middle-aged, minimalist, monogamous nomads. We own only what we can carry in Walter, our big yellow truck. If that ignites your curiosity, you can check out my archives here. I’ve published a weekly article for the past 77 weeks straight, so there is certainly something on that list you’ll enjoy.

And if you think you’d like to follow along with our journey, here’s how to subscribe for free:

If you find over time you don’t enjoy receiving my Tuesday morning emails, you can always unsubscribe. And if you decide to support our efforts in a practical way, you can always upgrade to a paid subscription. Just like this gift-giving guide shows, I like you to have options.

Happy creative, clutter-free giving! Please share your own ideas and experiences in the comments for everyone to see. I’m excited to be inspired myself by what you add to this list.

Until next week,

Sherry

P.S. If you’d like to get an idea of where my heart is and don’t know where to start in the archives, you might enjoy this article from back in June. It’s been popular. Give it a click.

1. Yes, I said holidays, plural. There are many of them this time of year. That doesn’t mean I hate Christmas.