Gift Ideas to Support a Simple, Healthy, Creative Life
Hi my name is Courtney and I am a minimalist.
While I don’t like to get caught up in the labels, I do recognize that I have downsized my possessions considerably, paid off my consumer debt, sold my car and am ready to sell my house and live an even simpler, happy life with my husband and daughter. (and 2 cats and a dog)
Knowing that, it might surprise you that I do give and receive gifts. Our holiday giving and receiving has certainly changed over the years. We want less, give more to people who really need our gifts and live with the one in, one out philosophy so even after the presents are opened, we don’t have more than we did to begin with.
The gift ideas …
ecourses
gift the gift of learning and growing with self study e-courses that your loved one can enjoy in the new year.
- The gift of time and space. Ecourses offered from your lovely life include merry extras including audio and video bonuses, free ebooks and a donation to The Kopila Valley project.
- How to dress with less. The Project 333 Self Study course will be gone forever at the end of 2012. If you or someone you know wants to simplify their life starting with their closet, check it out.
- Everyday Magic photography course. Learn how to capture creative images with your camera.
books
Books are a gift that continue to give long after the reading is finished.
- Crazy Sexy Kitchen: 150 Plant-Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution
for the aspiring vegan. (on my Christmas list)
- The Shack
a one of a kind invitation to journey to the very heart of God.
- Simple Ways to Be More with Less
if you are ready to simplify your life and improve your health, start here.
- The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
. Anyone that makes anything will be inspired to get started by reading this book.
- Holiday Cookie Cravings. Delicious festive cookie recipes!
- The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future
perfect for your favorite entrepreneur.
- Best Kindle Books to inspire simplicity. Find more recommendations here.
experiences
- cooking class. go local or check out virtual cooking courses from the Stonesoup Virtual Cookery School.
- date night or a weekend away.
- massage gift certificates.
- a lunch date.
- simplicity session. comes with personalized gift certificate.
Give experiences when you can, or buy nothing if that appeals to you, but be thoughtful about your gifts and how you give and receive them. The gift is rarely about what is inside the box.
I just delivered day 4 of 31 Days of Gifts You so Deserve. It’s not too late to sign up or give this program as a gift to someone you love. You’ll receive one gift a day through the end of December plus the gifts you missed and so deserve.
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15 Responses to “Gift Ideas to Support a Simple, Healthy, Creative Life”
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These are excellent ideas Courtney! Now, I work very hard to consider someone’s needs as a gift over something that they will never use. I especially love the idea of giving experiences. I would much rather give or receive an opportunity to do something fun versus something that gets forgotten a month later.
me too Lauren!
After downsizing this year I’m looking forward to a few new gifts but heed your advice on the one in one out philosophy. In the last two years I’ve received several of the simplicity books on your list as presents and they have have been so useful.
Claire, less is different than nothing and I think it’s great to give and receive thoughtful gifts, especially if you are mindful and grateful for what you have.
These are great ideas. I like to get things like a gift card for a pedicure or an amazon card to buy books for my kindle. Less stuff…
Less stuff … Amen.
Great ideas
I would also add things like tickets to the theatre, season tickets for a year’s admission to an art gallery. My partner and I have booked tickets to a dinner theatre and an overnight stay at a hotel. Great fun, great memories and it doesn’t have to be dusted, stored, wrapped or insured 
Good point Sharon. The investment we make in stuff doesn’t stop after we buy it.
Great ideas! My friends and I always exchange homemade edibles (or drinkables!
). Giving someone something that will help them to simplify their life is a great idea, though. Thanks!
Anything chocolate is always received with open arms.
Ahh!!! You and Tammy Strobel are adding to my Christmas list! I would LOVE the gift of admission to some of these ecourses as I focus on trying to switch gears in my life!!!
My wife has always given experiences for gifts, this year she’s taking the girls in my family to see the Broadway play “Cinderella”. I’m taking my Dad to a jazz concert in the city and my brother in law and nephew to a Jets football game. My wife grew up doing that and now my family is catching on, our first experience filled Christmas!!
Love the idea of gifting ecourses
I wrote a blog post recently about giving gifts that are meaningful. I also love the idea of gifting “experiences”!
My family adopted a rule that you must be able to eat or drink gifts – nothing else! If you have time, baking a favourite cake, cookies, etc. If not, your favourite pastry shop or grocery store’s is fine. You get the picture… It’s now my rule all around, except for kids of course!
The holidays are fun again. No silly/expensive shopping, low stress and just fun family reunions and watching kids’ joy.
)