Clutter-Free Gift Guide - Updated 2023

Wrapped gifts surrounded by candles and holly.

Experiential gifts are excellent for the clutter-free gift seeker. I look for gifts that will meet my Gift-Giving Trifecta:

  1. It is thoughtful — the gift can be customized to the recipient’s preferences

  2. It is functional — the recipient is likely to use it

  3. It is enjoyable — the recipient will enjoy the experience of the gift; and as a bonus, the gift’s benefits will continue to provide continued joy and function!

When the gift hits ALL THREE, it’s the ultimate gift in my eyes! This holiday gift guide is full of clutter-free gift recommendations and some of my favorite small & local businesses. Even if you aren’t local to Southern California, hopefully, this will help spur ideas for finding local businesses that also provide these similar type gifts.

➡️ Check out my strategies for HOW TO REQUEST CLUTTER-FREE GIFTS WITH GRATITUDE, plus a free download letter you can share with family and friends.

  • Charity Donation

    • Donate to a meaningful cause in their name

    • Order from an organization that donates its proceeds, like:

      • Stitch.for — order a custom cross-stitch and 100% of proceeds go to selected charities

  • Entertainment

    • Streaming service memberships: Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBOMax, etc. or an AMC Stubs A-List monthly movie membership

    • Outdoor movie experiences:

    • Live concert, theater show, or sporting game

  • Unique experiences

    • Experience Quality Time Together - never underestimate the power of gifting a personal date of connection + an experiential adventure, outing, meal or vacation

    • Alpaca Farm - meet and take photos with adorable alpacas up close and personal (Carpinteria, CA)

    • Nurtured by Nature - meet and take photos with otters (San Diego, CA)

    • Storyworth* - emails the gift recipient a question about their life once a week for a year; answers are then bound together in a keepsake book = a beautiful way to capture memories of a loved one
      *Referral link gets you $10 off your order

    • Soundbath - ambient noise that soothes the system

    • Yoga with Goats (Los Angeles)Museum

    • Attraction or amusement park

    • Wine/beer or food tasting

    • Escape room

    • Miniature golf or axe throwing

    • Luxury treatments:

    • Here are some of my favorite sites to find things to do in the city:

  • Memberships & Subscriptions

    • Fitness memberships:

      • To their favorite local Hiit training, yoga, meditation, cardio barre, dance or group workout

      • The Sculpt Society - on-demand sculpting, dance cardio, yoga, pre and post-natal, meditation and stretching classes plus multiple live workouts each week (app/streaming)

      • Class Pass - provides access to different studios, gyms, and wellness offerings (*receive a free trial at link)

    • Food subscriptions:

      • NakedWines or local wine club

      • Bokksu - delivers curated boxes of authentic Japanese snacks & teas

    • Book subscriptions:

  • Gift Certificates (for favorites)

    • Restaurant

    • Dessert (ice cream, cupcake, etc.)

    • Drink (coffee, tea, boba, etc.)

    • Online or local retailer

  • Home Organizing

GuideStacy Leeholidays, gift ideas