Gifts That Won't Fill Your House with More Stuff
Featuring: Small businesses, homemade gifts, and lots of art!
Hello from your over-crowded Black Friday inbox! If the thought of adding more stuff to your home is making you feel a bit queasy, this email is for you!
I noticed when I began thinking about Christmas shopping this year, I felt more burdened than joyful. I looked around my house and saw abundance. Toy cabinets are overflowing. Closets are crammed. Fidgets of all kinds are scattered across counter tops and in the laundry and on the floor of the car.
Our home is warm and full of good things, and I’m so thankful. But when I thought about adding more stuff to our home this year, I felt burdened not joyful. It’s like my spirit was sighing, “Really, girl? More stuff? In this house??”
I love to give gifts, and I truly enjoy the pretty wrapping and the delight of seeing people I love open a gift I picked for them. I’m not ready to give up gift giving completely, but I am ready for something that feels a little less consumer-y. I don’t want to add more things just because I got a good deal, ya know? I’m looking for gifts that provide experiences, beauty, connection, or meaningful help over a thing that will sit around and take up space.
If that’s you too, I think you’re gonna love this gift guide!
A note: There are a few affiliate links in here (mostly Etsy, but a few Amazon (le siiiigh). I only use affiliate links for products I have purchased with my own cash money and truly love.
Also, if the email gets cut off, switch to web or app to see the whole thing!
Services
House Cleaning or Organizing- I know so many people in my life who would feel deeply loved by the gift of a house organizer or deep clean. I have heard great things about House Peace.
Restaurant Gift Cards- If you’re in Columbus, you can’t go wrong with a Cameron Mitchell gift card. We also love Japan Marketplace card, which can be used for bakery, sushi, ramen, or shopping!
A Color Consult with Created Colorful- Will got me a color consult for Mother’s Day a few years ago, and it was such a self-esteem boost. It’s also made shopping much less stressful, and I get so many compliments when I wear my best colors. One time some teenage girls said they loved my shirt, and I’ll be riding that high until I die. Use code “NEIGHBORFOOD” for $20 off color analysis or a closet edit!
Consumables
These are things that get eaten, used up, or that might need replaced every now and then. I love a practical upgrade, and that’s where these gifts come in.
Homemade Simple Syrups- These homemade simple syrups are an instant upgrade to your at home coffee bar, and they’re easy to make en-masse for gifting. We have a recipe for lavender syrup, brown sugar cinnamon syrup, and classic vanilla syrup.
Coffees and Teas- We buy a budget friendly coffee at Costco for our every day needs, but I love to treat family and friends to fancier options around the holidays. If you’re in Columbus, we love One Line and Upper Cup coffee roasters. I love the whole leaf teas at Swan Dance Teas (I highly recommend the Christmas Cheer and Magnolia Oolong blends). If someone in your life loves matcha, I recommend Nio Teas (they have a Matcha Advent Calendar!!) and Ippodo Teas. These homemade chai concentrate starters also make great gifts!
Fancy Pens + Office Supplies- Let’s all just admit we still love a brand new set of school supplies. I am obsessed with these Frixxion erasable pens. I just discovered them and am so mad I spent so many years scribbling out all my mistakes.
Stationary and Cards- For anyone who wants to romanticize their lives, some custom stationary from Swink would be perfect. I have also purchased multiple wall calendars and cards from May We Fly Studio and have always been impressed with the quality.
Hand towels and kitchen towels- It might seem like a boring adult gift, but I just noticed that my hand towels are looking worn these days. These towels from Quince look ridiculously fluffy, and, of course, Geometry towels are always a win. There’s a design for every style and season!
Fancy Olive Oil and Vinegars- Will got me this aged balsamic vinegar for Christmas last year, and it is such a treat! Rich and thick and perfect for bread dipping, salads, and finishing anything with tomatoes on it (including pizza!).
Subscriptions (including Substack ones)
Subscriptions are the gift that gives back all year long! There’s a subscription for almost every hobby and special interest these days. Here are my personal favorites and a few on my wishlist.
The Popcast (Patreon)- Give the gift of delightful idiocy with weekly podcast commentary on pop culture. I’m not even a huge pop culture girlie, but I;m not exaggerating when I say I depend on the weekly laughs these episodes provide.
Faith Adjacent (Patreon podcast)- Perfect for the person in your life who’s wrestling with their faith and has a sense of humor.
(Substack)- I have followed Sarah’s work for years, and I find her voice one that is both prophetic and calming—a difficult needle to thread, in my opinion! Perfect for Christians or the spiritually curious who are seeking faithful commentary, devotionals, and essays that aren’t rooted in Christian nationalism or patriarchy.
(Substack + podcast)- This is my preferred source for news and political commentary that isn’t designed to ramp up your nervous system. Sarah and Beth consistently move the conversation forward, rather than re-treading some of the same paths. Perfect for anyone who wants to stay engaged in politics without it consuming their entire lives.
Psst, this also feels like a good time to mention that we’re running a sale on subscriptions to this very newsletter this week. Subscribe below!
On my wishlist:
Shelf Respect (Patreon podcast)- Perfect for the book lovers in your life!
Britchida’s art is like getting a mini-therapy session in a frame. Her membership includes a monthly sticker and/or art print. This would be PERFECT for art lovers. Available on Patreon or on Substack at
.The Auntie Bulletin with Lisa Sibbett- Lisa’s newsletter is designed for anyone looking to live a “child-ful” life, whether or not they have kids. I have found her work expands far beyond the topic of children and into the land of building inter-dependent and resilient communities. Perfect for anyone who believes “it takes a village!”
Group Life with Priya Parker- The mechanics of gathering has always been an interest of mine, but I’ve been digging into this topic a lot more since we bought an event space. This would be the perfect gift for anyone who loves to gather.
LibroFM- An alternative to Audible where you actually get to own all of the audiobooks you buy and support local bookstores while you do it! Perfect for the avid book-listener in your life.
Art
Wall clutter is the only kind of clutter I enjoy!
This woman chillaxing in a vintage Pyrex dish filled with mac and cheese is my hero.
Wall calendars that double as art! I have ordered from both Huckleberry Paper and May We Fly’s watercolor calendar and have been thrilled with both. I’ve also got my eye on this adorable whimsical watercolor calendar.
Raindrop House has gorgeous nature-inspired watercolor prints.
I have this matching set of abstract prints from Lindsay Letters over our bed, and I love them. It feels like something peaceful and grounded to rest my eyes on every evening. She also has lovely holiday prints and lettering!
For inclusive and liberating art prints, check out Little Gaze. I have and love this “Make Room for Play” print.
For Kids
This category was by far the hardest. Kids LOVE stuff. And honestly, I love to give my kids stuff. But if you’re looking for alternatives, here are a few things we’ve used and enjoyed.
Tape- First, get your kids their own tape dispensers. Yours can live happily on your desk forever, and they can have their own for various undisclosed “projects.” I also reocmmend washi tape, road tape, or masking tape for fun projects like “spider web trap in the kitchen” and “rollercoaster basement”.
Experiences- So many options here! Children’s museums, zoos, jump parks, movie theaters, rock climbing places. If you’re a grandparent, I can tell you with confidence that your children love when you buy their kids experience based gifts. Here in Columbus, we highly recommend Cosi, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory, and Fun City Park.
Snack Subscriptions- We gifted my nephew a Munch Addict Snacks from Around the World box, and it’s so much fun! Interesting, unusual snacks come every month! Great for tweens and teens who are tough to buy for.
Baking Kit- I’m considering a monthly bake box for my youngest, who loves to join me in the kitchen, or one of these Mochi Donut Kits or Learn to Sushi sets.
Crunch Labs- I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Mark Rober’s Crunch Labs subscription, which includes cool engineering projects for every month. My boys LOVED this, and while it does add another “thing” to your house each month, it’s also an educational experience, so I’m letting it slide.
Here’s to spreading more joy with less stuff this season! Have more ideas? Leave them in a comment below! I’d love to hear them!