I read an article recently in Organize Magazine about clutter-free gifts. For years now I have suggested to friends ways to give to others that keep too much. I always give my clients gifts that won’t create more clutter in their home. It wasn’t until recently that I realized there was a name for it. It’s clutter-free gifting. It means giving someone a gift that won’t create clutter.

Clutter-free gifts can be things like, movie tickets, gym memberships, food items, gift certificates for massages or other services.... is this making sense yet? What I like about these gifts is not only do they not create clutter, but they give someone an opportunity to try something they may never have tried before. For many of my clients, they tend to take on too much, work too hard, forget to have a little fun. With clutter-free gifts you can have an experience! Imagine if someone gave you horse back riding lessons, dancing lessons, or even a picnic in the park. You might be doing something you never thought you would do. Your getting out of your home, you’re relaxing with friends, you’re experiencing new things, enjoying yourself, and you’re meeting new people. Or you can give something that can save someone time. Like weekly meals, cleaning services, car detailing service etc. Knowing you have one less chore to do is a gift I always love getting. It creates time so you can do the things you love. To me this says a lot more than a nice new sweater.

So a clutter-free gift does require a lot more creativity. Which I know can be a challenge. For example last year I gave my father and little brother tickets to see a super motocross show. It took me a while to find the right gift. But I loved the fact that I was giving them a gift they could share together and enjoy. They now have a memory of a special day together because I gave them the tickets. It means so much more than any products I could have given them. This year I gave my father a months worth of dinners. He never has time to cook, he always worries about not being able to cook healthy meals for his son. Now he can come home and feel good knowing he has something he can make quickly. It relieved him of so much stress.

So I urge you to get a little creative with your gifts and buy something clutter-free. If you have ideas for clutter-free gifts i’d love to hear them. Send me a comment.

Ok, for those of you that know me, you know how much I love Extreme Home Makeover. Well they were here, in Virginia!!! Rice, Virginia. And yes, I went to check it out. I went on Sunday, the day before “Move That Bus” day. My husband was kind enough to join me on the trip. It was about an hour and a half from Richmond. Once we got there we were amuzed at how discrete they were about being in town. There were signs directing traffic to a close by parking lot. But the signs simply stated “spectator parking.” You had to park in a lot near the home and get bused into the construction site. The whole process was pretty organized. Once we got to the home we were herded into a small specator area. If you watch the show you would think the scene would be mass chaos. Well.... it wasn’t. It was quiet, real quiet. The house had been built and they were slowly moving items into the home. And here is the best part… I got to meet Pauly!!!! And yes, I got his autograph. He was not as kind as he seems on TV. I guess all the attention can get to you. We were told Ty was inside the home but we never saw him. We did catch a glimpse of the designer guy.

So that’s it. It was no big deal. However, It was amazing to see how much work they had done in such a short period of time.

So recently I received an email from a friend of mine from grade school. We haven’t spoken or seen eachother in over 15 years. Our shining moment together was when we were both voted “Best Artists” in 8th grade. His name is Patrick Ganino. We were good friends and somehow time just got away from us.

I was excited to learn that he owns his own business. He paints murals, does faux painting and Trompe l’Oeil. He has written his own book, started a business teaching faux and sells products. I am so proud of him and his accomplishments. It motivates me even more to make my business work.

I can’t help but think back to how we were when we were kids. How is it that the two voted “Best Artists” started their own businesses and became successful. It must be just for that exact reason....we were the most creative. Thinking back it doesn’t surprise me. Pat and I seemed to have that personality that we were our own bosses and lived by our own rules. But being creative is most definately what keeps me happy and this business alive. I am forever thinking of new ways to help my clients, find solutions, develop products, write books etc. It’s even the one piece of advice I always give my clients when they tell me they have a hard time maintaining their clutter. I tell them, “Get creative!” When I open up the opportunity to get creative it seems to open the flood gates. We can brainstorm, speak freely, and find something from nothing. Just as Pat and I did. Well, if you want to be even more inspired, check out Pat’s work. He amazes me. Way to go Pat!

http://www.creativeevolution.net/