I just want to say thank you to all of my lovely ladies that participated in this year’s “Favorite Things” series!  It’s been tons of fun checking out all of their posts and their amazing gift ideas!  From hand-made to local favorites and some stylin’ ones in between… I think I want it all!

Now, it’s my turn!  So, let’s share!

Well, the time has come for me to share my favorite gift ideas for the holidays!  Everyone knows that getting gifts is super fun.  For me, giving them is almost more fun!  But, with the prospect of so much giving and receiving looming, I start to ponder the clutter that may consume our homes!  Just think… you get this awesome gift that you love or maybe you get a gift that just really isn’t “you.”  Either way, this gift is going home with you and you’re going to have to either find a place for it in your home, or give the gift away to charity or someone else to avoid bringing it home.

As I’ve gotten older, the most valuable things have become those less tangible items.  The ones you don’t really see.  The ones you feel.  Whether it’s time with your family and friends, a delicious taste, or fulfilling a dream, these have become more valuable than possessions for me.

Also, as I’ve gotten knee-deep into my business of simplifying and improving people’s lives and small businesses, I have become acutely aware of the emotional toll that “items” can bear on individuals.  Just think… “my grandma gave me that, but I don’t actually use it or even like it.”  I bet we’ve all been there at one point or another.  Most of us have held onto something at some point simply because it was a gift.  If you haven’t… you’re amazing!

So, this holiday season, I urge you to consider the following Clutter-Free Gift Ideas for your last-minute purchases:

Consumable Gifts.  There are tons of consumable gift options!  From a person’s favorite dish to cookies to restaurant gift certificates, the options are endless with consumable gifts.  Really… who doesn’t LOVE the opportunity to try that restaurant they’ve been dying to go to!

Gift of Experience.  This is for those of you who really want to give something memorable!  Many people are on budgets these days and can’t afford to do some of the things they want, or can’t rationalize within themselves why they might deserve a certain experience.  These are the people who need the gift of experience!  Whether it’s a mani-pedi, skydiving, or a night out on the town, these gifts are sure to be winners with the recipient!  I can’t tell you how many times we’ve not eaten certain places because we couldn’t rationalize the cost, or stayed in for a movie instead of going to the theaters because movies have gotten so pricey!

Gift of Time.  This may be the biggest one in our family.  These days, Eric and I easily work six days a week and sometimes more.  It’s hard, but it’s a reality.  It simply means that we get less time with our family and friends.  So, scheduling a date with people as a gift can be a really neat idea!  As well, my mom’s been begging me to come help her go through her closet and I just haven’t made the time.  This would be the perfect opportunity for something like that. 

Gift of Domesticity.  We all know that after the holidays settle, many of our homes are in need of a little TLC, but we are too exhausted to get to it!  How about giving someone the gift of house cleaning?  They would certainly love you!  Other ideas could be handyman services, organizing, financial planning assistance.  The list goes on and one!

Gift of Lessons.  Admit it.  We ALL have something we want to learn!  For Eric, he finally broke down and bought himself a guitar after a lifetime of wanting to learn.  For someone like him, guitar lessons to accompany the new guitar could be really neat.  For others, lessons could be for cooking, exercise, sports, and more!  Think about something you’d want to learn how to do?

Digital Gift.  Nooks, Kindles, and iPads have taken over the world!  And, rightfully so.  They’re convenient, compact, and versatile!  If you have a technology lover with one of these cool tools, you may want to give digitally.  You can buy them e-books, apps, and more!  And, if nothing else, you can get them a gift card to purchase something themselves!

Give What They Want.  If you are going to give a tangible gift, make sure you listen to what people really want.  Just because you’d like something or because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean you should get it for that person. It’s important to listen to what they really want.  If you’re not sure… ask!  Chances are that if you don’t know, someone else (sibling, parent, significant other) might!

Gift of Practicality.  Who said practical things have to be boring?  They don’t.  Practical gifts go beyond socks and underwear!  Someone may want a planner to help them better schedule and organize their upcoming year.  And, planners come in all different colors and patterns.  In fact, designer options are even available for those who really want to make things fancy!  I can’t tell you how much I LOVE practical gifts!  My mom gets me new pajamas every year and I love them!  I never buy them for myself, so every year, I’m eager to see what she’s picked!  And my awesome hubby buys me fancy “lady things” that I never buy myself because I’m too practical… but to him, his gifts are gifts of practicality.

Support a Hobby.  Again, if you’re going to buy someone a tangible gift, make it count!  Eric and I are obviously DIYers, so in the past, we’ve received tons of tools and gift cards to Lowe’s and Home Depot!  All of them get used frequently and we are forever thankful for the ability to own them!  And now, with Eric taking on guitar, he’s hoping to get gifts to take his self-teaching further, like a case, picks, and tuners.

Think meaningful, clutter-free gifts this Christmas season!  This way, you’re fighting clutter, saving money, showing others how much you care… and most importantly, bringing the holiday spirit back home to those you LOVE!

Thanks again to all my lovely ladies for participating!  I hope you all enjoyed their posts as much as I did!!!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GIFTS TO GIVE/RECEIVE?