Over 100 Minimalist Gift Ideas - For All Ages

It can be hard to think of minimalist gift ideas. What should you give someone who doesn’t like things? This gift guide will help you to find the perfect minimalist gift for Christmas or any other occasion!

minimalist gift ideas for the whole family displayed on a graphic. There is a house plant, a solo bonfire stove, a set of books, a wireless speaker, beef jerky, crafts and leather products.

Looking for gifts for friends or family who live a minimalist lifestyle can be tricky. You don’t want to give them something they won’t want to keep. It can be a real challenge to find a good gift that will actually be appreciated and enjoyed!

Nobody wants to feel like they’ve wasted money on unwanted gifts. But, you can’t just not give them anything at all. So what do you give someone who doesn’t like things?

The thing is, minimalists often really do like to receive gifts though! But ones with more intention and thought behind them. Meaningful gifts. Quality over quantity.

Or maybe you’re here because you yourself are the minimalist who doesn’t know what kind of gifts they actually want! I get it! My husband hates shopping for me because I don’t enjoy receiving your typical husband to wife birthday gifts. I like to make him think outside the box to prove he really loves me, hehe!

For help choosing baby shower gifts, check out my minimalist baby essentials list!

Whoever it is you’re needing a great gift idea for, this gift list will definitely help! I’ve included over 100 of the best minimalist gift ideas for “him and her” and a wide age range of kids too.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure here.

What can i gift a minimalist?

When you’re looking for minimalist gift ideas, you want to choose something that won’t add clutter to their home. Stay clear of knick knacks, clothing, small kitchen appliances and basically anything they probably like to pick out for themselves.

Now, not all people who live a minimalist way of life like the same things. That’s why it’s important to know the interests of the friend or family member you’re buying a gift for.

Does the gift recipient like getting out and trying new things? Is quality time important to them? Does a thoughtful gift that really shows you know them well make them the happiest?

Here are some categories to help you find the perfect gift to give the minimalist on your list:

experience gifts

The best and safest minimalist gift ideas are things that take up no space at all. Something that fits this criteria is the gift of an experience.

Think of it as giving them the opportunity to try or do something they would probably not make time for on their own. You really do have to know the person you’re giving this type of gift to. You don’t want to put them too far out of their comfort zone!

meaningful personal gifts

A special gift that is something that would mean a lot to this specific person. A meaningful gift could be as simple as scheduled quality time together or an offer to watch a new mom’s kids for her while she gets a rest. Something that shows just how much you care about them and understand their needs.

When I had my twin boys, my Aunt would stop by on her way to work, bring me a coffee and offer to hold them while i took a shower or something. It meant so much to me. Much more than a gift bag full of clothes would have!

practical gifts

Practical gifts are physical gifts that are useful but not going to end up being clutter. Good quality items that serve a purpose are great gifts for minimalists. Gifts that they want but haven’t bought themselves since the items aren’t an absolute necessity and are more of a luxury.

consumable gifts

When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with consumable gifts when you’re shopping for a minimalist friend or family member. Think things that can be quickly used up like food or supplies. Coffee drinkers might appreciate a special delivery from their favorite coffee shop. Your friend who likes to grill would be able to use some special seasoning salts or rub blends.

minimalist gift ideas for him

experience gifts

concert tickets – if you aren’t sure what day will work best for him, just give him the brochure or link to the concert information so that he has a say in the date before you purchase the tickets.
flying lessons
escape room is a fun and unique date idea! In an escape room, your group is locked in a room where you have to work through a series of problems in order to escape.
sporting event tickets
in home dinner date – simple, inexpensive but its the perfect gift for the guy in your life who loves quality time.
cooking lessons – a chance to learn some new techniques in a fun atmosphere as a couple or in a group.
zipline
golf lessons – you’ll have to make sure it will work with his schedule first, but golf lessons would make a great experience gift for the aspiring golfer.
wine tour
online course – you could sign him up to learn from a variety of masters all over the world with MasterClass for $15 a month.

meaningful personal gifts

a handwritten letter because sometimes it’s easier to write down exactly how you feel about him than it is to say it outload.
date night coupons to be redeemed whenever he’s in the mood.
canvas photo print, you can get very affordable custom canvas prints from Shutterfly.
personalized shot glass that you can get engraved for a special keepsake that’s useful as well.
solo portable bonfire pit stove
leather wallet. a high quality real leather wallet can last a lifetime.
grilling cookbooks like How To Grill Everything by Mark Bittman
infrared thermometer heat temp gun for grilling etc. to take away the guesswork so meats turn out perfectly cooked every time.
gin making kit for a unique and fun experiment!

practical gifts

wine club membership lets him try new wines with this unique and thoughtful gift.
meat box subscription – give him the gift of quality meats delivered straight to his door each month.
amazon gift card – let him pick out what he needs.
audible subscription if he’s a reader or likes to listen to books on the go.
wet/dry shop vacuum – my husband uses his all the time!
portable jumpstart kit for car batteries – very practical and something that could potentially save him in a bad situation!
heavy duty leather work gloves to replace his old ones.
luxury bath towels – very useful.
overhead garage storage system – my husband is getting one of these for his next birthday!
Dewalt screwdriver set – can’t go wrong with good screwdrivers.

consumable gifts

grass fed beef jerky – these classic beef sticks are paleo, keto, gluten free and sugar free.
cigars
his favorite beer or wine
grilling sauces – you can’t go wrong with this 3 pack of unsweetened BBQ sauces from Primal Kitchen.
infused olive oil – this 4 bottle set of flavored olive oil comes in a gift box, so no need to wrap it!
Hall’s fudge assortment – my husband’s addition to this gift list.
lunch delivery, surprise him with his favorite lunch at work out of the blue.
classic Amish beard oil – another of my husband’s favorites.
Vital Performance protein powder
Islandic seasoning salt 4 pack in a gift box that looks exciting!

minimalist gift idea for her

experience gifts

gift certificate to a local spa for a well deserved pampering.
yoga class
gourmet cooking class – a chance to learn some new techniques in a fun atmosphere as a couple or in a group.
concert tickets – make sure she’ll be free before purchasing!
watercolor class – this is something I would love to be gifted.
wine tasting – for a romantic date, or quality time with a friend.
sewing/knitting/crochet class
massage – always good to relieve some stress.
pottery class

meaningful personal gifts

flower subscription – give the gift of a beautiful bouquet delivered to her door each month.
entire day of rest for a tired mama
magazine subscription – you can’t go wrong with Magnolia Journal, Country Living Magazine and Taste of Home.
wine club membership – 4 bottles for $39 the first month.
initial necklace with charms – I have one of these necklaces with a pendant for each of my kids. It’s my favorite gift I’ve ever been given!
a getaway trip
leather satchel/tote – can be used for so many things and matches everything!
cleaning service for someone who is feeling overwhelmed
Himalayan salt lamp
house plants – a zz plant is super easy to take care of and only needs watering once a month!

Magnolia magazine with a picture of Joanna Gaines roller skating on the cover

practical gifts

in drawer organizers set because everyone could use more organization in their life!
audible subscription for the book lover on your list.
cotton flour sack tea towels so that she can replace her old dish cloths with ice new ones.
amazon gift card is always a safe gift.
40 ounce insulate tumbler, the easiest way to keep hydrated throughout her day.
ceramic coffee thermos, I love mine and use it every day!
empty spice jars and labels because an orderly kitchen cabinet makes everyone happy.
thick leather gardening gloves to replace her old ones.
essential oils starter kit, my favorite brand of essential oils.
hand poured pure beeswax candle or make your own beeswax candle

consumable gifts

adult coloring book and pencils
chocolate covered strawberries delivered right to her door.
coffee delivery as a surprise.
pure baking vanilla – or make some homemade vanilla yourself!
gourmet coffee beans sampler pack for the coffee lover on your list.
freezer meals are a practical choice for a new mom or a friend who’s ill.
donuts are always a fun surprise to find at your door!
deluxe fruit gift basket delivery
all natural lip balm set – or make a homemade beeswax lip balm for a more personalized gift.

a plate of chocolate covered strawberries

minimalist gift ideas for Older kids

experience gifts

hot air balloon ride for a memory that will last a lifetime!
rock climbing, either a gift certificate or go on an outing together.
horseback riding, a fun gift for outdoorsy kids.
bowling, fun for all ages!
dance class
sewing/craft classes help them learn a practical skill that will last a lifetime.
voice/acting lessons for the one on your list with a flare for dramatics.
photography course, teens would really enjoy learning to take better photos!
cake decorating class – another fun skill that will come in handy when they’re grown.
zipline adventure for a really fun time!

meaningful personal gifts

accessories for their favorite sport
give the gift of time – take them on an outing or spend the day together.
buy a board game and snacks for a game together – Carcassone is one of our family’s favorite “big kid board games”.
watch a movie with snacks.
write them a letter – simple but something that would mean a lot to certain personalities.
session with a professional photographer – I don’t know what teen wouldn’t love some good quality headshots!
take them to a bookstore and let them choose some books as a gift.
take a class together – learn a new skill and strengthen your bond.

practical gifts

camping lantern for the adventurer.
clip on reading light – my girls would definitely like this gift.
kindle for the book lover on your list.
nice neutral tennis shoes
gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, shop, activity or you really can’t go wrong with an amazon gift card.
portable Bluetooth speaker comes in a variety of colors.
ear buds
bento box lunch box
mini fridge, to stock with their favorite snacks and drinks.
tote bag for book lovers – maybe you could stick a gift card to Barnes and Noble in it.

consumable gifts

snack basket – put together a simple basket filled with healthy treats and snacks.
candy
smoothie – either a gift card to a smoothie place or surprise them by bringing a smoothie by sometime.
bubble tea – or give them a bubble tea kit so they can make it themselves!
learn to knit knitting kit
nice watercolors or watercolor brush pens (my 11 year old loves these!)
Disney vinyl stickers to put on water bottles, notebooks, binders…
adult coloring book and pencils, perfect for times when they want to chill and listen to an audio book.
hot cocoa bombs, just stick it in warm milk and watch the magic happen.
jewelry making kit

Great minimalist gifts for younger kids

experience gifts

Giving the gift of an experience or outing might not get the same excited reaction from kids as opening a toy does. But they will outgrow and lose interest in toys, quickly forgetting that you gave them.

An experience gift is so much more than a toy. You’re helping the child to make important memories and building a wonderful relationship with them!

Of course you should always get the parents consent before you tell kids about an experience gift. Since you can’t exactly wrap an experience in wrapping paper, you can put a brochure or picture of the destination or lessons in a fun colored envelope with confetti inside to make it look more exciting!

dance lessons – put a brochure abut the dance lessons in a box filled with tissue paper so that they can unwrap it instead of just telling them about it.
movie theatre outing
kids camp, might be more of a gift for mom and dad…
restaurant outing
picnic in the park or even in their backyard.
music lessons
craft class – check your local craft stores to see when they host craft events.
swimming lessons
zoo/aquarium trip
mini golf date – my kids’ favorite place to go on a “date”.

meaningful personal gifts

subscription boxes like kiwi crate, a subscription to receive a box of educational craft projects for different age groups. You can choose between a monthly, 3-, 6- or 12 month plan.
audible membership, the perfect birthday gift for kids who love to listen to audio stories.
write a letter and mail it to them. Showing you care doesn’t have to cost a penny. Kids love receiving mail! Add a sheet of stickers or a sheet of temporary tattoos for fun.
bring a board game and sit down to play it together. Rat a Tat Cat card game is a great option that’s fun for all ages and is also simple to learn how to play.
fill a photo album with printed pictures of memories you’ve had together (I love Shutterfly for affordable quality)
grow some flowers together – zinnia seeds are so easy to grow outside and the more you pick the blooms, the more they will produce!
gift your favorite books from your childhood, classics like Little House on the Prairie and any of Jan Brett’s Books
a diary – help them write their very first post to get started!
extensions to their favorite toys – Legos, Picasso Tiles and Playmobil are sets that kids can collect and add on to each birthday.

practical gifts

water bottle – my kids always get excited about new water bottles to replace their old ones from time to time.
bento box – useful but fun for school aged kids.
handheld vacuum cleaner, not exactly meant for kids, but I don’t know a 5 year old who wouldn’t like to have their own vacuum cleaner!
cute neutral colored rain boots make a good practical gift for toddlers.
100% cotton 2 piece pajamas come in lots of different cute prints.
cotton linen child’s apron
instant camera, one that prints the pictures out so mom and dad don’t have to worry about getting prints made.
snuggly blanket kit, a craft that they can use after finishing it.
gardening kit, Green Toys brand is my favorite because it’s practically indestructible and can go in the dishwasher!

a Green Toys watering can and shovel set

consumable gifts

jumbo coloring books – the pages are huge and have kept my little kids busy for hours!
96 count pack of crayons – there’s nothing like brand new crayons to brighten up little lives.
100 count Crayola colored pencils – bigger kids and little aspiring artists will be thrilled with a 100 count colored pencil set.
healthy fruit leather – as exciting as candy, but easier on the teeth.
healthy granola bars like kids kind bars
64 count sidewalk chalk – for Summer birthday gifts.
48 colors watercolor paints – maybe get a pad of watercolor paper to go with it.
craft kits like pony bead pets, window suncatchers and hot pad weaving loom kit
beeswax candle making kit makes a fun and unique gift for kids who love crafting.
waterproof sticker pack for water bottles, laptops, notebooks etc.