A Guide to Minimalist Gifts - 5 Things Your Friend Will Love

Sarah Parker
Authored by Sarah Parker
Posted: Monday, June 20, 2022 - 21:58

If you have a minimalist friend in your friend group, you would probably relate to the feeling of dread that creeps up on you when their birthday is around the corner. 

Shopping for a minimalist can be a nightmare, especially if you don’t know where to start. They don’t like a lot of material gifts, so you can’t order those trendy pair of shoes or the light-up bubble machine, which is all the rage on social media. 

It’s difficult coming up with a good gift idea for minimalists, but it’s definitely not impossible. Let us show you how.

5 Things Your Minimalist Friend Will Love

To save you from scratching your head and drinking one too many cups of tea over this daunting task, we have put together a guide for those occasions when you have to shop for your minimalist friend.

1. Cards

The art of gift giving is exquisite. While you may have the perfect gift picked out, wrapped and ready, it is still incomplete without a card. 

It is tradition to exchange cards as a sign of goodwill and celebration. Pairing your gift with a card not only sends a sweet message across but also appears thoughtful and warm. So do not forget to pick the perfect card for your friend to go along with your gift.

2. Candles 

Candles are a great gift for a minimalist - they barely take up space and would make the home ambience fragrant and relaxing. 

Most minimalists claim to enjoy gifts that have purpose and are practical. It is a bonus if the item gives them a sense of joy and satisfaction. A candle, as simple as it seems, would not only decorate your friend’s home or desk, but also give them a sense of soothing and comfort. 

3. Plants

A minimalist may run in the opposite direction if you give them a huge flower pot with big trendy-looking succulents that are usually seen in big offices. Minimalists are likely to prefer items that are tiny and purposeful. 

If you choose a huge plant and expect them to love it, they probably won't. What would work instead, are small planters that can fit in compact spaces and don’t require too much attention and care. 

Plants not only add some greenery and life to a living space, but they also have air-purifying qualities that will act as a health benefit for your friend. This makes them a great gift idea to consider for your minimalist friend.

Additionally, according to Feng Shui, gifting your friend a flowering Jade plant can signify a strong friendship and bring the recipient good luck and fortune. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

4. An Experience

More than materialistic gifts, something your minimalist friend may probably appreciate more is the gift of an experience. What this essentially means is that you could gift them something like a spa day at the salon or a ticket to a fun painting class. 

You could also gift them an outdoor adventure experience that the two of you could enjoy together. Adventure activities companies have earned a lot of fame for their fun outdoor adventure activities like quad bike safari, clay pigeon shooting, archery, axe throwing, blindfold driving, hovercraft, air rifle and much more. If your friend is the adventurous type and loves the thrill, this is definitely for them. 

5. Planners or Journals

Remember when bullet journals were all the rage in 2014? 

Planners or journals make great gifts as they are useful, easy to carry around and budget friendly.

If you’re looking for an affordable yet handy gift for your friend, consider giving  them a planner or a bullet journal. There are a number of different planners available, varying from size, colour and type that you could explore to find the right one for your friend. You also get options for the type of page - ruled, blank, dotted, etc. 

If your friend is a fan of journaling or making intricately detailed bullet journals, this gift idea is the perfect choice! Pair it up with a lovely pen to make it extra special. 

6. Books 

Have you ever caught your minimalist friend stopping at a bookstore to look at a new science-fiction novel that is trending all over the country? Do they have the entire collection of Harry Potter or Game of Thrones neatly stored on their shelf? 

If you answered yes to these questions, then you have your gift idea ready. Books are a great gift option for a minimalist, especially if they are avid readers who love getting lost in another world. In any case, even if they are not big readers, you could opt for a book of inspiring poems, a book on their role model or a book based on their profession, interests or hobbies. Books provide several options that you could explore to find the right type for your friend. We assure you, your friend will love them. 

To Sum Up

Picking out gifts for a minimalist may not be easy, but the key is to think back to what you know they already like and start from there. 

With our list of possible gifts, you have a few great options for your minimalist friend that they’re bound to love. Remember, gift giving has to come from the heart, so don’t stress too much about it. We assure you that your minimalist friend will appreciate your gift, so just go for it!