Amazing Clutterless Gift Ideas – Gifting Experiences – Part 1

This is the first of a two-part series about clutterless gifts. Being a professional organiser and declutterer, I am an advocate for giving gifts that won’t clutter up your friends’ and family’s homes. Sometimes we put in a lot of thought into gift-giving, other times we fall victim to the pressure of giving ‘something’ for the sake of it. This, of course, can lead to clutter!

So, before buying gifts this Christmas, do some planning. Grab a cuppa, a notebook and pen and brainstorm. Write a list of the people you will give gifts to.  Consider if they’ve mentioned something they’d love to do or have. Brainstorm things you think they may like. Consider the practicality of it and if they are likely to use it or enjoy it.

If there isn’t a specific ‘thing’ that they have mentioned, consider gifting experiences instead of things for the ultimate in clutterless gifts.

My Favourite Experience Gifts

I’ve found that my favourite presents have been experiences. My favourites were:

1. A ‘choose your own holiday’ letter.  It had checkboxes to tick off options for location, activities and dates
2. A consultation with a Feng Shui Practitioner
3. A voucher to French cooking lessons

I remember these gifts more than items I’ve been given because I have memories, feelings and associations linked to them.  It doesn’t mean I value the other gifts less but I’m hard-pressed to remember all of the gifts I’ve been given over the years.

As I’ve found these sorts of gifts pleasurable, I thought I’d include a few more clutter-free options that you might consider for your loved ones or to request for yourself.

Gifting Experiences

• Movie Tickets (standard or Gold Class)
• Tickets to the zoo
• Voucher to a restaurant or high tea venue
• A ride on a Segway around the lake in Canberra (I’m sure these exist in other places too!)
• Theatre tickets
• Go-Karting, Bowling or Paintballing Voucher
• Flight Deck Simulator Tickets
• Red Balloon Voucher (this site is well known for experience-based gifts, lots of great ideas here)
• Overnight stay at a fancy hotel
• Massage, pampering or healing sessions
• Voucher to a psychic
• A day out to an art exhibition
• Music lessons, singing lessons or an art class… Check out the classes at your local TAFE or Community College to see if there’s something that suits your loved one.
• Last but not least, you could make up an itinerary for a day filled with their favourite things e.g. “Your day will start with breakfast in bed, and a walk around the lake, followed by a lunch at your favourite restaurant and a game of putt-putt golf. The evening will end with a personal message and take-away of your choice for dinner.” This idea will take some careful planning, but if you know the person well, you’ll easily come up with some great ideas.  It may only be one thing (eg: lunch at their favourite cafe) or it may be a full-day experience.  It’s really up to you.

I Could Go On and On!

The list here is endless, with so many options of stuff to do! If a voucher doesn’t exist, make one.

What’s best about these sorts of gifts is you often you’ll go along with them and enjoy the gift too.  Can’t complain about that!

Read Part 2 for consumable gift ideas and other present ideas.  I’d love to have a discussion with all your ideas for clutterless gifts. Join us in the WellSorted Facebook Group and post your favourite clutterless gifts.