As someone who has been decluttering for more than two years now, I have a deep appreciation for thoughtful and clutter free gifts during the holidays. Something that takes thought and planning versus taking space on the counter, is always received with great joy. Do you have a minimalist mom who you want to celebrate this holiday? Here are 15 gift ideas that focus on shared experiences, consumables, and won’t create clutter! Try one (or more!) of these clutter free gifts for mom this holiday.

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15 Clutter Free Gifts for Mom this Holiday

1. Breakfast in bed.

This is always a favorite of moms – especially if it includes a kitchen that has been thoroughly cleaned afterwards! Make sure to give mom time to relax and read or do something she doesn’t normally get time to do because of her normal day to day responsibilities.

2. Personal letter or handmade craft.  

I still have a framed Mother’s Day poem that my middle son made for me at church when he was 3 years old – he’s 12 now. I love it because of his small handprints and the cute, touching poem.

3. Picnic lunch at a park or horticultural center.

There are beautiful parks with spring flowers and trees in bloom that would make for a wonderful relaxing time together. Find one near you and pack a simple picnic lunch of some of your mom’s favorite foods.

4. Handmade coupons for acts of service.

I love the idea of these coupons – especially if the children are coached to fulfill them without any hesitation or grumbling! My children are older so they’re able to do a lot of things independently now. Think of ideas outside of the responsibilities that they already own for themselves.

In my house, my older two already do their own laundry (although folding and putting away – not so much!), and all three boys are responsible for clearing/setting the table every night, and emptying the dishwasher – so I wouldn’t include those on these coupons.

Here are some ideas to write in:

• laundry for a day (washing, folding, AND putting away!)
• doing the dishes
• 10 minute back or foot rub
• 1 hour of quiet time
• breakfast in bed
• washing a car
• gardening work
• a night off cooking
• vacuuming
• a big hug and kiss!

5. Dark chocolate just for her.

I know that whenever I have something yummy, my mom instinct is to share it with my kids and husband. Make sure to let her know that this is just for her – no sharing required! These dark chocolate squares are one of my favorites.

6. Tickets to an event she normally wouldn’t spend money on.

Some suggestions might be a play, the ballet, or a sporting event – whatever your particular special mom would find enjoyable.

7. Restaurant gift card.

I know that as a mom on a budget, I always make my coffee at home and bring my lunch to work. Getting a gift card gives me permission to indulge in that special coffee drink or go out to lunch when I normally wouldn’t. It is definitely a treat.

8. Digital photo frame.

I decluttered most of my physical photos, but still have a ton of digital photos. A digital slideshow with photos ranging from baby photos to the present would be a great gift. This digital photo frame is a great price right now.

9. A spa treatment.

I’m not a fan of manicures (they last for about a minute on me before they start chipping) but I love a massage or a good pedicure. Does the mom in your life like facials or massages? She will love it!

10. Fitness cards to a local studio.

Does she love yoga, pilates, spin, or kickboxing? Has she been wanting to try one out? Attend a trial class together, or buy a certain number of classes for her if you know she already enjoys it.

11. Write an acrostic poem especially for her.

This would be a great gift from an older child who can work on it independently or for a younger child with an adult’s help. If you have time, frame it. It will be cherished! Here’s an example from Howard Johnson:

M-O-T-H-E-R

by Howard Johnson

‘M’ is for the million things she gave me,

‘O’ means only that she’s growing old,

‘T’ is for the tears she shed to save me,

‘H’ is for her heart of purest gold;

‘E’ is for her eyes, with love-light shining,

‘R’ means right, and right she’ll always be,

Put them all together, they spell ‘MOTHER,’

A word that means the world to me.

Copyright © Howard Johnson

12. Give her the gift of hand lettering.

My blogger friend Morgan wrote a guest post about hand lettering for beginners and it’s one of my most popular posts every month since I published it! That tells me that lots of folks are interested in hand lettering! If your mom loves to try new creative things, you can give her the gift of some basic supplies to get started. Here is a great marker with a fine tip and a brush tip.

13. A gift basket full of consumables that she loves.

Fill a small (or large) basket full of things that she loves and doesn’t need to share! Here are some ideas:

• dark chocolate!
• dried fruit (like mangoes or something that isn’t normally on your grocery list)
• special trail mix
• special coffee or tea
• special drinks that she doesn’t buy regularly
• special mints

14. Record a video for mom.

Make a video with each child sharing three things that they love and appreciate about their mom. Or each child can “perform” something special based on their talents – songs, instrumentals, or reading the poems that they create themselves for mom.

15. A special journal and pen.

Does the special mom in your life love to journal, or write daily to do lists? Get her a special notebook and a special pen. I bought a 2017 planner from InkWELL Press this year and I’m in love with it. They have beautiful blank journals that are hardbound or sewn that are versatile for bullet journaling, fitness tracking, or any way she wants to use them.

I’m also in love with TUL pens. These are a new discovery and I love how they write in my InkWELL Press planner (or any other piece of paper). I call it my “special pen!” I bet the mom in your life would love these too – especially if she loves to journal by hand.

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Which one of these gifts appeals to you to give this holiday? Let us know in the comments!

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