Gifts for Minimalists Your Mom Will Love This Christmas

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Finding gifts for minimalists can be hard. Whether you’re looking for your mom or yourself, check out these gifts for minimalist moms. Note: this post was originally published in September 2020 and has been completely updated with current gift ideas and unbroken links.

I don’t want anything for Christmas.

I also don’t want to give anybody else anything for Christmas.

There. I’ve said it. Bah humbug.

I bristle a little bit every year at the idea that many of us give presents not because we want to, but because we feel we have to. So, I don’t want this post to imply that I think you need to run out to the store to stress yourself out spending time and money that you don’t have.

If you’d like to opt-out of any part of any celebration at any time, you can do that. Celebrations are supposed to be fun. They’re supposed to make us happy.

And if giving and getting more stuff is making you unhappy, then it’s time to have the difficult conversations around gift giving (or not doing it anymore). It’s time to get a plan or a list in place.

That said, if you’re a minimalist mom making her own wish list for the season, or if you stumbled on this blog looking for minimalist mom gift ideas, here are some things that will add value to mom’s life without adding a bunch of stuff to stress you (or her) out.

Consumables

Consumables aka “things you use up” are a great gift idea because Mom will think of you every time she uses them. Until eventually, they’ll go away entirely. Which we minimalist mamas love.

Be sure when purchasing them, though, that these are actually things she will use.

If your mom never takes a bath, but you get her bath bombs, they’ll be just one more thing crammed under the bathroom sink. (Something she’ll likely feel guilty about throwing away and will keep FOREVER because you gave them to her.)

If she does like bath bombs, though, these would make a beautiful gift.

Astor Chocolate is a 70-year-old family-owned company based out of New York. I would absolutely love this Master Collection Truffle Box. (To hide on the top shelf of the pantry and eat all by myself…)

This candle smells like a fireplace and crackles as it burns.

Upgrades to things she already uses

Minimalism is all about promoting the things we value the most and removing everything else.

Does Mom have something that she already values that’s due for a replacement or an upgrade? If so, it’s a great opportunity to add value to her life without adding unnecessary stuff.

This might sound…pricey, but it doesn’t have to be.

Maybe the coffee cup she uses every morning is chipped and stained. Replace it with a photo mug decorated with shots from a fun family trip.

These faux fur, memory foam slippers by Jessica Simpson are likely cuter and softer than whatever Mom’s wearing now.

Raise your hand if you still think, “is this chicken what I have, or is this fish?” every time you hear Jessica Simpson’s name.

Of course, if it is in your budget to go a little more over the top, selecting one beautiful gift she’ll love rather than a pile of things that are just ‘ok’ makes a lot of sense.

Ok, I know I said I didn’t want anything for Christmas, but I am in the market for a new pair of pjs to replace the ratty ones I’ve slept in nearly every night for the last year. I would absolutely love a pair from Lunya.

Subscription boxes

Subscription boxes are fun because Mom can get a little surprise every month. Items inside are often consumable. Also, in some cases, Mom can send back what she doesn’t like or won’t use. There are practically infinite subscriptions out there. I dare you to stump the search box here.

Some of my favorite subscription boxes include:

California Wine: Wine from small family-owned wineries delivered to my door every month? Shut up and take my money. Click here to see their club options to fit every budget.

BLOOMSYBOX flowers: I adore flowers, and I never splurge on them myself. I’d be tickled pink to be gifted a subscription.

Therabox Self-Care Subscription Box: I would love the monthly reminder to prioritize self-care in a surprisingly new way.

Experiences

Experience gifts are always a wonderful idea for the mom who has everything.

You might plan a lovely drive to look at Christmas lights, check out the local countryside, or drive through a local outdoor attraction. Check out some ideas for what’s available near you here.

How about wrapping up all the ingredients for a fun evening at home with some hot cocoa, a playlist of music to enjoy, and a new puzzle or card game to play? I love that the makers of this card game mention that it’s hands-free so you can eat snacks while you play. My kind of people.

We love gifting card games in our family–they’ve got a low clutter footprint, and they ensure lots of fun times together later.

Would mom enjoy a change of scenery? Travel AirBnbs are always an amazing option.

Click here to access AirBnB and daydream a bit about a home away from home.

Things that make her life easier

Minimalism isn’t just about having less stuff. It’s about making all areas of your life simpler. Consider gifts that will make Mom’s physical and mental load more minimal.

You have to tread carefully here, though. There’s an art to selling the practical gift. The key is making sure mom knows that you recognize and appreciate all that she’s doing and are super-excited to make her life easier. As a SAHM, most of the chores fall to me, so I’d be glad to receive any of the gifts in this category.

Take the chore of executing mealtime off of her plate. This can be as simple as giving her a homemade coupon volunteering yourself for grocery shopping, dish duty, or meal planning. You might also arrange for grocery delivery or a full-service outfit like Sunbasket, which delivers menus and their ingredients (even for special diets like paleo and vegetarian) right to your door.

If you’d like a more budget-friendly meal-planning helper, the service The Dinner Daily, which is not quite as spendy as Sunbasket, is a good option. It takes into account both your dietary preferences (gluten-free, reduced carb, etc.) AND the current items on sale at your local grocery store when creating meal plans for you.

I don’t know anybody who likes vacuuming. I actually own this robot vacuum which automatically vacuums for me every night while I’m sleeping!

House cleaning, babysitting, car detailing–the possibilities are endless. Anything you take off of her plate leaves her with free time to do something she loves. And remember, you don’t have to hire someone. You could volunteer to take on the chore yourself.

One thing that replaces many other things

Is there a particular area where your house holds a lot of clutter? Consider one of these gifts that can take the place of several things around your house.

A Kindle Oasis: This is a stylish way to replace that stack of books and magazines on Mom’s nightstand, and its display is easier on the eyes than other eReaders.

Digital photo frame: Do you have kids’ artwork displayed everywhere? A digital photo frame, preloaded with special art treasures for Mom would be a thoughtful way to clear out paper clutter while honoring the kiddos’ creations. This frame could also replace smaller photo frames covering your flat surfaces, making the room look more restful.

This version of the Instant Pot has 11 functions! It pressure cooks, sautés, steams, slow cooks, sous vides, warms, air fries, roasts, bakes, broils, and dehydrates. It could definitely replace many of the appliances in your kitchen.

Small tokens

Tiny gifts are great because they don’t take up a lot of space. These small tokens are dangerous, however, because if Mom doesn’t love them, they run the risk of becoming emotional clutter: stuff she’ll have to keep FOREVER because you gave it to her.

Although we all love surprises, I would consider consulting mom before giving her any of the things I suggest below.

That said, this simple piece featuring a special fingerprint is lovely.

This custom photo bead fits onto Pandora bracelets.

This “poison” ring could hide a secret message inside.

Subscriptions, Classes and Guides

You can’t go wrong with a gift that doesn’t take up any space at all, but adds fun to Mom’s life.

If your mom loves audiobooks, consider an Audible subscription.

If she prefers ebooks, you could choose a Kindle unlimited subscription instead.
Get Your Pretty On’s Outfit Formulas will show your mom how to create a stylish capsule wardrobe with just a few key pieces every season.

Final Thoughts

I’ve alluded to this several times, but remember, the best gift you can give anyone you love this holiday season is yourself. Know that your time, attention, and love is more valuable than any gift.

Stick to your budget, give gifts that feel comfortable and right, and don’t ever feel obligated to go crazy with your gift-giving–whether your loved ones are minimalists or not.

Oh, and if you’re a mama reading this and dreaming of a special gift while you run around shopping for everyone else, remember that it’s ok to ask for what you want. I recommend making a list on Giftster to share with your loved ones. It doesn’t make a gift any less special if you have to ask for it by name.

While you’re making the holiday magic, don’t forget to take care of yourself and your needs, too. XO