Gift Giving Part 2: Think local with these 65 clutter free gift ideas!
In this blog post, I'm sharing recommendations based on my personal opinions and experiences, and I want to clarify that I do not receive any compensation from the organizations or businesses mentioned.
After I finished last month's post on How to be a Better Gift Giver, my mind was swimming with ideas for clutter-free gifts that support local businesses in the area! I decided to make it a two-part blog post and use this month to expand my clutter-free gift idea list. These suggestions range from acts of service, to consumable gifts, to experiences, and (most of them) support small, local business owners who help make the Saint Croix River Valley such a vibrant place to live and work.
If you’re joining us from outside the Twin Cities, use this as a guide, and look up some of your own local bookshops, distilleries, bakeries, boutiques, salons, and spas!
Remember, a clutter-free gift needs to meet one or more of the following criteria:
It isn’t physical (such as a service or experience)
It is consumable (it goes away eventually)
It fulfills an actual need for the recipient (as opposed to a perceived need by the giver)
It will be loved and cherished by the recipient (as the giver, make sure you know your recipient well enough to choose something that will bring this kind of joy)
This Small Business Saturday, set the example amongst your friends and family by leaning into less stuff and more moments!
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65 clutter free gift ideas!
For The Hostess With The Mostess:
1. Offer to come early to help set up, or stay a little late to wash dishes
2. Ask if you can pick up last minute items, like ice or wine, on your way over
3. Volunteer for a specific task throughout the event (does she need someone to take pictures? Make sure the bathroom stays tidy? Make sure Cousin Eddie doesn’t over-indulge on eggnog?)
4. Bring a fresh loaf of bread from micro-bakery Cherry Street Bread. Better yet, pair it with…
5. …A bottle of olive oil from Stillwater Olive Oil Co.
6. Send a genuine, handwritten card of thanks after the event (the written word is a lost art!)
7. Bring a bouquet or monthly flower subscription from Studio Louise Flowers
8. Any home chef will appreciate sharp knives! Edge Mobile Sharpening will come right to their home
For The Wellness and Self-Care Guru:
9. Gift confidence with a gift card for a salon service from Establish Salon, that they wouldn’t buy themselves (like extensions, or a fun color!)
10. Or a traditional cut and shave for him at Prohibition Barbers (This would also make a sweet father/son day out!)
11. A gift card for a service (such as the salt cave experience!) at Just For Me Spa
12. Let them choose their own service from the med spa experts at The Aesthetic Collective
13. Give the gift of style with a customized style session from Brendra Iris of Mindful Styling
14. A massage at Stillwaters Healing (She also offers a girls night in package!)
15. A gift basket of organic, toxin-free beauty products from Toxyfree
16. A gift certificate for a yoga class at Studio One Yoga
For The Foodie Friend:
17. A charcuterie board form Tossed, or a gift card for a future meal
18. A cocktail kit from Forge and Foundry Distillery, or a private tasting (great for couples or friend groups, too!)
19. Fresh roasted beans and a gift card to Sunshine Coffee
20. A fresh microgreen bouquet or subscription from Kinney Mini Farms
21. Some unique flavor pairings with a jar of Serious Jam
22. Custom cutout cookies from Evergreen Bakehouse
23. A selection of “meat candy” from Hagberg’s
24. Give the gift of flavor with a variety pack or gift card to Pinch ‘n Rub Spice and Tea Hub
25. Fresh pasta and sauce from Cornelius Pasta
For Kids And Teens:
When buying for young kids, think of Mom and Dad’s load and how to avoid clutter or more work for them.
26. Magazine subscriptions (Highlights or Ranger Rick, for example; ages 0-12)
27. An afternoon of at-home fun with Play Nook Adventures (ages 5 and under)
28. A digital subscription to a learning game, such as Noggin or ABC Mouse (ages 2+; and please get parents permission. Don’t gift screen time without clearing it with Mom and Dad, even if it’s educational)
29. Give kiddos a budget and/or time limit in Tremblay’s Sweet Shop (any age, am I right?!)
30. Science Museum, Children’s Museum, Sea Life, or Minnesota Zoo memberships (any age)
31. A special event with a loved one (such as afternoon tea at the Mad Hatter Tea House; any age, activity specific)
32. Offer to cover a class or lesson (like swimming lessons, and wrap up a bathing suit and towel for under the tree)
33. An audiobook subscription through Libro.FM, which supports local bookstores like Valley Bookseller (pre-teens through teens)
34. Movie passes to the iconic Riverview Theater (teens)
35. Gas card (teens)
For Teachers And Childcare Providers:
36. Gift cards!!! (Amazon, Target, or Visa offer the most versatility, or keep it local with Chamber Bucks)
37. Cash and a thoughtful, handwritten card of gratitude
38. Get breakfast or lunch for the staff, or for your kids’ classroom teachers
39. Ask the teachers if there is anything they need for the classroom that you could purchase and donate
40. Time! Ask if there is any activity or chore you could complete on their behalf, or project they need help with in the classroom
41. Potted plants for the classroom from Mother Co. Plants
For Family Members And Parents:
42. A Washington County Parks Pass or National Park Pass
43. Childcare so they can have a date night or just a kid-free day
44. Pet sitting for their next trip
45. A personal family history from Lead Sheep Productions
46. A session or two organizing their photos with Holly Corbid of Capture Your Photos
47. Chamber Bucks, issued by the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and redeemable at dozens of local businesses and restaurants
48. A family portrait session from Kristina Lynn Photography
49. A Power Hour interior design consultation with Draper House Design Co.
For Your Spouse Or Partner:
50. Make a treasure hunt (à la Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation). Meet them with champagne at the end
51. A voucher for a night alone in a hotel room, while you stay with the kids
52. A family membership to a gym or fitness club, such as River Valley Athletic Club, and a promise to be an accountability partner
53. A fancy dinner out, followed by a show at The Phipps or The Guthrie
54. Dance lessons at Dance and Entertainment Studios
55. A gift certificate for professional organizing (contact me HERE)
56. A couples cooking class at Rivertown Inn
57. Have a cozy winter picnic in a wine yurt at Alexis Bailey Vinyard
58. A post-holiday deep clean from Squeaky Services (also an excellent hostess gift, if you’re staying for an extended period of time)
For Girlfriend Groups or Coworker Gatherings:
Forget Secret Santa and spend some quality time together with a fun, local adventure!
59. Enjoy a candle pouring experience at Carpe Noctem Candle Co.
60. Plan a private sip and shop at La Vie Est Belle Gift Boutique
61. Go ax throwing at The Lumberjack
62. Work together at Stillwater Escape Co.
63. Have a creative make and take event at Kari’s Create & Paint
64. Take a group fitness class at Align Optimal Wellness
65. Or if you’re feeling bold, take a pole-dancing or aerial silks fitness class at The Pole Barn Aerial Arts & Dance Center