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.