9 Experience Gifts For The Minimalists In Your Life
Unique Gift Ideas For Minimalists
Small, unique, experiential. Those are the gifts that come to mind when we think about shopping for loved ones who’d rather not receive more “stuff” for the holidays. Plus, there's no shortage of meaningful experiences for our family and friends—from creative workshops and museum memberships to immersive artwork and practical (yes, practical) home goods that any minimalist will love.
Looking for more ethically made and sustainable gifts for the holiday season? Check out our guide to the best sustainable gifts (and best gifts for him, too). Happy giving!
1. Fine Art Puzzles & Recycled Playing Cards
The best gift is one that you can share with others, which is why we love these games, playing cards, and puzzles from some of our favorite small businesses and sustainable brands. Try the Tree Playing Cards ($20) from outdoor apparel company Happy Earth, certified B Corp, for your loved ones who enjoy nature and being outside. The woodlands-themed deck features 54 unique, hand-drawn designs—printed on FSC certified cardstock.
If your loved one enjoys puzzles, Goodfit’s fine arts jigsaw puzzles ($32) are printed on recycled cardboard and finished with a linen texture. Every puzzle also supports a charity of the artisan’s choice—profits from Oasis by Aika Takahata (the one pictured) support HumanRightsNow. Don’t miss our comprehensive guides for even more puzzles and board games!
2. Outdoor Adventures & Virtual Yoga Classes
A punch card or monthly membership to a local yoga studio, rock climbing gym, or dance center is perfect for active minimalists. Many gyms continue to offer online fitness, and we love these online yoga classes to stay grounded throughout the year.
When it comes to outdoor adventures, REI ($23+) has some of the best outdoor classes and group expeditions. Whether your loved one is into hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, or mountaineering, the nationwide store has hundreds of options that make for a truly special gift. Even more unique? A gift certificate towards a PADI Diving Certification.
3. DIY Artwork & Craft Kits
Analog gifts are what’s in this season, and DIY is the perfect alternative to store-bought items. We love these air-dry pottery kits from Sculpd ($65) and hand-knitting sweater and beanie patterns from Mild Woman ($8—heads up! The beanie pattern is currently free!). With DIY options for all abilities, these make for an ideal winter craft.
Uncommon Goods also has a range of craft kits starting at $10—gift your minimalist friend a springtime paint-by-numbers ($35) to lift their mood during winter. This site is great for finding a tactile gift specific to your loved one.
4. Museum & Botanical Garden Memberships
If you want a gift that can be used all year long, The North American Reciprocal Museum Association has a nationwide museum membership starting at $100 that works with over 1,000 institutions in the U.S., Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico. Members receive free visits, museum coupons, and discounts on tours and lectures for weekends filled with art and culture. For the institutions that are still closed due to COVID-19, virtual visits are available.
Or, if your loved one lives in a metro area, consider gifting a membership to local botanical gardens, like the ones in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Denver. Annual memberships for individual botanical gardens start at $50, and many include unlimited visits, discounts, and free year-round parking.
Finally, an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) is great for nature-loving minimalists who want to spend 2022 exploring national parks and forests.
5. Practical Home Essentials & Decor
A minimal home doesn’t have to be a bare one. Consider gifting your loved one simple and lasting home essentials to complement their thoughtful space while cultivating a warm ambiance. We love the candles and diffusers from Skandinavisk, a Scandinavian home brand and certified B Corp. The scent diffusers ($60) are made with partially recycled and dishwasher-proof glass produced in the EU with metals-free water dyes. Moreover, the wooden stopper is FSC-certified, as is the packing card, and the ink is printed with natural dyes. Shipping is available throughout Europe and to the United States.
Also a perfect gift for the home: Bear’s hypoallergenic weighted blanket ($150), available in three neutral colors. It weighs 15 pounds and makes the best addition to every queen bed this winter. Weighted blankets help alleviate stress and anxiety because of the deep pressure stimulation. Your loved one can use this one while sleeping or just to help them unwind and stay warm throughout the winter.
6. Online Classes & Learning Opportunities
For the minimalist longing to get back in the classroom (even if it’s a virtual one), you can support their endeavor by gifting a membership to an online educational platform.
MasterClass ($180/year) offers courses in writing, cooking, photography, and more—we particularly love Dr. Jane Goodall’s class on conservation and Ron Finley’s class on gardening. Likewise, Coursera ($59/month) teaches numerous subjects to over 60 million learners and partners with more than 200 universities to bring all kinds of content to users. And for something really fun, this Skype class with New Zealander Alice Bulmer is fantastic for learning Ukelele ($160 for six lessons).
Looking for a writing class? Try a gift certificate to Catapult, where today’s top writers teach online workshops in craft writing.
For even more online learning options, check out our favorite educational platforms.
7. Online Experiences & Events
Continuing with online learning, we love these online experiences for more “hands-on” gifts.
This Airbnb pasta-making class, for example, is great for groups and families. You and your loved one can learn to cook gnocchi and carbonara from scratch with grandma Nonna Nerina in her kitchen ($38/per person). Airbnb has an array of online experiences, too—from wine tastings and tarot readings to magic shows and live music.
Also offering unforgettable online experiences: Uncommon Goods hosts two dozen classes, called Uncommon Experiences. For drink aficionados and newbies alike, we recommend Amy K.’s mixology class. Students will learn three cocktail recipes from one of Brooklyn’s most talented bartenders, and a Flavored Simple Syrup Set is mailed to participants before the class date.
8. Give In Your Loved One’s Name
Giving to a charitable or social cause in honor of someone you care about is one of the most thoughtful ways to celebrate the season. There is no shortage of impactful organizations, including iFundWomen, a crowdfunding platform dedicated to women entrepreneurs. the Sierra Club to defend wild places, the Loveland Foundation for providing therapy to Black women and girls, and these Black Lives Matter organizations.
If a monetary donation isn’t possible right now, you can also volunteer your time in someone’s name.
9. Cooking Kits & Gifts For Trying New Foods
Whether your loved one is an aspiring chef or a professional in the kitchen, cookware invites them to try new flavors and recreate their favorite recipes. Tried and trusted cookware from Our Place ($145+) will last for many years and meals to come. It doesn’t hurt that the Always Pan is gorgeous, either, and thoughtfully designed to do the work of eight pieces of traditional cookware—minimalists everywhere are swooning.
In addition to cooking supplies, consider a cooking kit ($12). These curry kits from Verve Culture—a women-owned company that collaborates with artisan creators—include seasoning, spices, paste, and coconut milk. Best of all, ingredients are gluten-free, vegan, and organic from a USDA-certified organic farm in Thailand. Your loved one just needs to add fresh veggies and their favorite protein!
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