Hey Reader!

I’m taking a break from newsletter advice this week to get all bossy about something new.

Shopping.

If you know me well, you might be wondering why I’m giving advice about something I dislike so much.

I’ll tell you: I spent years helping people declutter their homes and offices and calendars and lives. And the number one way to battle clutter?

Avoid bringing stuff into your home to begin with.

The holidays are upon us, and gift-giving is the celebratory activity we seem to be stuck with. So consider this a PSA designed to A) give you fabulous gift ideas and B) keep those gifts useful and mostly intangible.

Here is my list of 50 (count them, FIFTY!) things you can give that will not take up space and cause clutter-related trauma to their recipients.

1. Movie tickets
2. Bottle of whiskey
3. Cooking lessons
4. Gift certificate to a hot new restaurant
5. Plane tickets
6. Streaming music gift card
7. Cookies
8. Bath salts
9. A wine tasting excursion
10. Trip to the museum
11. Zoo membership
12. Art classes
13. Housecleaning for a week/month/year
14. Gym membership
15. Concert tickets
16. Meditation app subscription
17. Fruit of the month club
18. Massage vouchers
19. Trip to a natural hot springs
20. Pet sitting
21. Gift certificate at the frame shop
22. Lawn service for next summer
23. A session with a stylist
24. Meal kit subscription
25. A stunning flower arrangement
26. Tickets to a lecture series
27. Top shelf olive oil
28. A day at the Japanese Gardens, Chinese Gardens, Botanical Gardens, Arboretum, etc.
29. Coffee shop gift card
30. Lunch with you at their favorite place
31. Tickets to a play
32. Car wash coupons
33. Paid CSA membership
34. A night at a remote B&B
35. Historical tour of your city (or any other)
36. Audiobook(s)
37. Yoga classes
38. Donation to a charity they love
39. High end chocolate
40. Netflix for a year
41. Trip to the beach
42. Ski lift tickets
43. Session with a hypnotist, astrologer or psychic healer
44. Interior design consultation
45. Pedicure for two
46. Day at the climbing gym
47. Tickets to a sporting event
48. Afternoon at the shooting range
49. A tattoo
50. No nagging for a month (or a week, if more realistic)

These are all things I would be thrilled to receive. 😉

This year, think experiences, think consumables, think services. Useful AND thoughtful.

Now go out there and shop, and try not to burden the people you love with a bunch of clutter.

Yours in considered generosity,

Julia

​Roger Hodgson is all about giving, and so is this newsletter. Forward it to everyone on your list.

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