So, you have a “minimalist” friend. They own a ridiculously small number of items, and refuse to receive any material gifts. But now, it’s the holidays and you want to show your appreciation. Don’t panic. Here’s a concrete list of “non-things” that are minimalist-friendly.
1. Social Experiences
Tickets to a concert, movie, or performance are great gifts for minimalists — you can even go with them! Here’s a long list to get you started:
* Shows: Comedy clubs, sports games, or even magic shows
* Treating Yourself: Spa days, give away Airbnb credit, or offer to baby sit their kids for the weekend
* Adventures: Skydiving passes, a helicopter ride, or a walking tour of their own city to discover something new
* Classes: Cooking, music, or try some “out there” classes like Tarot card reading and mushroom foraging
2. E-books
E-books make great gifts for minimalists, and Amazon makes it easy to purchase e-books as gifts. When I buy books for friends, I try to find something that would personally benefit them in their current stage of life.
3. Electronic Gifts
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Neat gifts in this category include “diagnostic” information such as the 23andme DNA Ancestry Test, or AncestryDNA’s Genetic Testing kit. Try out horoscope-related books and gifts for your more fantasy-oriented friends.
One last great one in this category: buy your minimalist friend a domain name! You can easily purchase a domain name on sites like Google Domains or GoDaddy, and transfer ownership to their email account as a gift.
4. Attachables
Minimalists hate owning more stuff. So why not get them things that can be attached to the items they already possess? Here are three examples:
* Sketchcase allows you to turn your laptop into a portable whiteboard
* Car Gel Pads hold securely onto phones, keys, and other miscellany when placed on your car’s dashboard.
* Also consider covers and cases, like funny pillowcases and phone cases.
5. Consumables
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Minimalists still eat food! Try getting them some creative kinds of food/drinks, or there are even some pretty cool subscription food services. Other than food, you can give out:
* Cosmetics (like teeth whitening strips)
* Fragrances
* Cooking ingredients (try the pre-made cookie mix in a jar)
* Flowers
6. Donate to Charity
Most charities will let you donate in someone else’s name as a gift. A popular site is Give Well, which ranks charities by their impact and donates to them accordingly. Charity Navigator is another site with a more comprehensive list of charities.
7. Your time
Above all else, your friend is a minimalist because they want to focus on people and experiences, which matter more to them than any items do. So instead of buying something — go on a walk, write them a letter, get a nice dinner together, or spend some time chatting on the phone. Your minimalist friend will appreciate it more than anything you buy them.
