Give Wonderful Gifts, Not Clutter!

Some years, I struggle with gift-giving, mainly because I don't want to add to someone's clutter!  So here are some ideas to keep your gift-giving personal and awesome and Clutter Free!

1. Give an activity, as my friend and fellow organizer Emily Smith suggested last week.  Offer experiences, not stuff.  And actually schedule the experience, so your loved-one is more apt to follow up (checking their calendar first, of course).  We bought my dad concert tickets last year, for a specific event.  A few years ago, my hubby bought me a spa gift certificate for Mother's Day.  He checked my calendar, booked the appointment, then took that day off of work so I wouldn't have to rush home for parent duties.  Awesome.
2. Don't underestimate simple, personal gifts.  I have a tray of rocks.  Yes, rocks. They're garden variety rocks, with words written on them in a gold sharpie.  Basic and not terribly exciting on the surface, right.  But they came from a good friend, with an explanation, based on the book the 12 Ways of Christmas, and are one of my personally prized Christmas decorations.  They are in a pretty tray on my dresser.
3. Give a tradition.  Last Christmas, I received a special occasion place setting from TP, a friend / client.  In TP's family, you receive a special occasion table setting when you are old enough to appreciate it, and you can use it when you choose.  For yourself, or for a loved one on their special occasion like Mother's Day or birthdays or graduations.  TP had told me about her family's tradition when we worked together in her home, so I was moved and blessed when she gave me my own.  It came protected in a pretty hat box, and she told me why she chose the pattern and colors for me.  So wonderful.  And I think about starting the tradition in my family, too.
4. Give something personal, with a note.  I help many people downsize.  Sometimes the client sets aside an item to give to a loved one later or upon their passing.  I always encourage my client to write a note to the recipient, explaining why the item is important, a little about the history of the item, and why the giver chose to leave it to the recipient.  Let your gift recipient know why they and the gift are special.
5. Give the gift of Organization:  Gift giving is about the receiver, not the giver.  And using gift-giving as an opportunity to fix a perceived flaw in someone is rather rude.  "Here, honey, I got you some workout DVDs because you should exercise more" is totally about your opinion, not your loved one.
   All of that being said, sometimes our loved ones would like to be more organized, or could use inspiration from us to use their space and stuff better and live a more streamlined life.  So, here are a few ideas to pair beautiful function with good intentions.

• Just read about this, Stick N Find (found on Smead Organomics) - you can use GPS and blue tooth technology to attach trackers to often-lost-things, to help you find them again
• An "Ish" Hook: Find a unique and beautiful hook to mount on a wall or over a closet door.  The gift recipient can use it to hang up tomorrow's clothes, or as a hook to hang up their 'clean-"ish"' clothes for another day.
• A counter top charging station
• A decorative and perhaps non-breakable (like wood or leather or acrylic) bowl for your loved one to place near the door for their cell phone, car keys, lip gloss, wallet, and whatever else goes in and out of their pockets when they go through the door.

Hope this provides some un-cluttered last minute gift ideas!  Merry Christmas!