Clutter-free birthday gifts for minimalists – what they might really want for their big day!
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I’m turning 40 in a few weeks.
I feel good about it, though. At almost 40, I feel pretty comfortable in my own skin and I’m sure of my values and what’s important to me and my family.
And, I’m at the age and stage in my life where I really don’t have much of a need for much of anything. I realize how incredibly lucky I am for this fact, and how fortunate I am for having people in my life who still want to celebrate my day by gifting me something from their hearts.
But, I know how stressful it can be for my family to think of something to give as a gift as I’ve been trying to figure out my own version of minimalism.
I’m sure everyone has someone in their family or friend group like me. That person who is impossible to shop for.
So, with that thought in mind, I’ve gathered a few ideas to inspire anyone who has a minimalist in their life and is struggling with how to acknowledge their day.
This week, I’m sharing some inspiration on birthday gifts for minimalists.

Experiences
One of my favorite gifts to receive are movie tickets. Going to the movies is something I really enjoy, but I rarely take the time out to do.
An experience can mean many things. Check out your local aquarium, rock climbing gyms, even one of those paint and wine places.
When someone is gifted an experience, it’s a way of pushing them out of their comfort zone to live life a little bit more.
Food
I love a food gift. Maybe a gift card to a restaurant someone’s been meaning to try. Or a homemade treat is always appreciated.
If you really want to make a splash, consider putting together a basket filled with your loved one’s favorite things. You could even make a themed basket! Endless possibilities.
Consumables
Consumables can be anything that can be used up over time.
That could be a nice candle, bath products, a bottle of wine, or a yummy spice blend. Bonus points if it comes in a beautiful glass jar that can be used for storing something later on!
Handmade Gifts
Because I’ve been a maker all my life, I’ve given away countless handmade items as gifts. And with sites like Pinterest where you can search for inspiration, the ideas are limitless.
If you don’t feel you have the time or know-how to make something yourself, check out Etsy.com for completely unique handmade items.
Time
I wrote a while back about how I celebrated my birthday by going on a thrift store crawl.
That couldn’t have been possible without my husband giving me the alone time to do so.
And time could be together time, too! There is nothing more I’d love than to just spend time with the people I care about.
Online Courses
When my daughter goes to school for the first time this fall, I’m going to have 2 hours to myself every day.
One of the first things I plan to do with all this “me time” is to take some online courses.
You can learn almost anything online by professionals who take their time and knowledge to put together classes that are available to the public. The biggest platforms for these classes all offer gift options, which would be perfect for the minimalist in your life. Look into Masterclass, Udemy, and Bluprint (formerly Craftsy) to see all the courses that are out there!
Group Classes
If you’re giving a gift to an extrovert minimalist, they might really enjoy a group experience.
Extroverts get energy from being around other people, so a larger, group class might be perfect for them!
Think exercise classes, cooking classes, or self-defense classes. There’s probably a whole list of options being held by your local library or community college.
The most important thing to remember about birthday gifts for minimalists is this –
Just because someone practices minimalism, doesn’t mean they can’t be celebrated in some way.
It might be confusing when you’re afraid of overstepping by forcing a gift on someone. But don’t be tempted to skip a minimalist’s birthday all together.
They really just want to be seen!
