It’s the beginning of the winter holiday season and many stores are bombarding us with advertisements to purchase more. Sometimes it can be an opportunity to get something you have genuinely needed or wanted at a great price. However, there’s a lot of unneeded consumption that happens during the holidays, which can lead to an increase in clutter and debt for American households.

About five years ago, my immediate family unanimously decided to stop giving physical gifts over the holidays and invest in experiences we could enjoy together instead. It was actually my mom’s suggestion, not mine! (Minimalism has been rubbing off on her over the past decade or so.) My two younger brothers and I are all adults, so the excitement around opening presents on Christmas morning like when we were kids just wasn’t there anymore. We can buy things for ourselves now if we want to.

Being a minimalist doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy giving gifts. However, I believe experiences are more powerful and memorable than physical things (and better for the environment). I also realize many people, myself included, have very specific taste and are hard to shop for. When in doubt, I find it’s a good idea to ask someone what they would like.

If you’re interested in the experience-based gift giving idea (or perhaps a loved one has requested it this holiday), keep reading for some of my favorite ideas.

A massage or spa day

Wouldn’t this be a great way to end the year? If you can, give a gift certificate from a place that offers the flexibility to select the service of their choice. Maybe a sensory deprivation float is more their speed than a massage.

A Visit to their favorite Local shop

You can still support local and small businesses and gift an experience. If your family member or friend has talked about a specific store they love, give them a gift card to that shop so they can pick something out for themselves. A visit to their favorite shop with free money in hand is definitely a fun experience!

A Meal at their favorite restaurant

Restaurants have taken a beating over the past year or so—supporting a locally owned small restaurant in your community is a great idea! This is a solid gift idea for just about anyone, but especially someone you know who might not normally treat themselves. Most restaurants offer take-out and delivery options if dining out isn’t someone’s speed.

Professional organizing or house cleaning

This would be ideal for someone you know well and who doesn’t take offense easily, especially if they have opened up to you about feeling stressed or overwhelmed by clutter and keeping up with their home. Many people are even starting to ask for these types of services outright, which takes the guesswork out of the gift! You can purchase a Minima gift certificate here.

A museum pass/membership or concert tickets

If you have kids, I recommended suggesting this to the grandparents, who can often be well-intentioned culprits of over-gifting physical stuff to grandchildren. My husband has gifted his nephews upgrades to their Disney trips in the past, for example.

A day or evening of childcare

This one is great if someone you know doesn’t get much time off from being a parent. Treat them to a child-free day, evening, or entire weekend to do whatever they’d like!

A home cooked meal or other consumable

If you’re on a budget, this one can be a great option! One year my mom wrote on an index card “Dinner for two prepared by Chef Mom, your choice of menu, drinks and dessert.” This was such a thoughtful idea, especially since I cannot cook my way out of a paper bag. You could also gift a loved one’s favorite bottle of wine, local coffee brand, or similar. Consumables only take up physical space until they are consumed. Fresh or dried flowers can also be added to this category!

These are just a few of my favorite ideas, but experience-based gifting is full of possibilities!

Clutter-Free Gift Ideas for Anyone