Despite making a conscious decision to become a joyful minimalist fairly recently (around 2017), 

rock and bottle collection as a young child
makeup and skincare samples my mom gave me, enjoying organizing collection and looking at it
totoro collection, scarves, 
coping mechanism for stress, “retail therapy” impulse purchases instant gratification but regret afterwards
prompted by move from austin to alpharetta
items but also things i choose to consume
shedding anxiety clearing out emails
realisizing i have an addictive personality
getting rid of figurines and my neighbor tororo merchandise
getting into makeup, bath and bodyworks, torrid sales and realizing the culture of constant bombardment of sales and clearances, time or otherwise artificially limited 
culture of “treat yourself” and self-care culture being explicitly tied to purchases and not being kind to yourself, chores, etc
non-physical collections – pinterest boards, ideal setups, etc
time dedication to eyeshadow pallete or perfume before expiration date

writing down exactly what i wanted for holiday decorations, ignoring other things even if they are cute and i like them

channeling in a more positive way – don’t mind extras of chapstick because i use it daily and it makes me happy, not a collection if i consume it instead of just staring at it and accumulating it. allow myself small impulse buys like stationary, candles, lip-care products that i know will be consumed

generally not stressing. consider:

would i buy this item at full price?

do i absolutely love this item? – will I get enough enjoyment out of it to justify the purchase?

would this item be useful to own? (ie: bucket, trash bags, utility items)

When it comes to finding gifts for a minimalist (especially if you aren’t one), it can be somewhat challenging. Oftentimes, it can be awkward for the gift giver to give someone a gift card or an item they’re not sure will be used or enjoyed. On the other side of the coin, it can be uncomfortable for the gift receiver to get a gift they don’t want, as they may feel forced to “pretend they like it” or keep it around. This is compounded if they receive multiple gifts like this.

I kept many things in overstuffed bins and boxes for many years simply because they were gifts, and only when purging the home did I put serious consideration into getting rid of them. Some people don’t like items as gifts at all, some are “gift card” people, and some just don’t like gifts in general. If someone is adamant about not getting a material gift, sometimes, simply spending time with them or giving them the gift of “an experience” (travel, show, etc) can be the best gift. That aside though, here is a list of gifts that can help you begin brainstorming the perfect gift for the minimalist in your life. 

Key Considerations:

• Gifts don’t have to be “things”. 
• Quality over Quantity.
• It doesn’t have to be an expensive gift to be a good gift.
• Make sure they like that gift style first.
  • Ex: Perfume for your girlfriend – instead of a “random” perfume, pick a scent they already use and like.
• Their hobbies are a great place to start. Something consumable relating to that might be good.
  • Ex: A spool of nice yarn for someone who knits, or a basket of fresh, high quality fruit for a chef.
• Don’t gift them a specifically decorative or “clutter” item unless they say they want it first.
• Do they have a child? A pet? Is there something that’d make their lives a lot easier but they don’t own? Ask them first.

​GIFT IDEAS:
​
​Consumables:

• Toiletries: soap, lotion, etc
• Cosmetics: Perfume, chapstick, etc
• Paper: Stationery, books, etc
• Gift cards to a store you know they frequent

Edibles:

• An heirloom or local variety of vegetable or fruit for a foodie
• A luxury cooking item: matcha powder, etc
• Herbs or Dried Flowers (ex: Lavender – culinary, dried, essential oil, extract, etc)
• Sweets or candies
• Breads or pastries
• Tea or coffee if they drink it
• Anything homemade that they enjoy (food, desserts, assemble-it-yourself packs, etc)

Experiences:

• Tickets to concerts or to see local musicians
• Food tastings
• Museum passes
• National or State Park passes
• Beginners Supplies to a hobby they want to get into
• Travel (money or a necessary item for it, ex: camping)

Avoid if Possible:

• Collectibles/figurines 
• Clothes or jewelry​ you’re not sure they’ll like
• Stuffed animals or other toys
• Decorative or Home decor items

Holiday Decor can be a divisive issue, even among multiple people who all think of themselves as “minimalist”. For some, holiday decorations are different from everyday home decor, and more traditional decorations are totally acceptable. For others, they decorate little, or nothing at all. As someone living through joyful minimalism, I believe you should decorate with and keep whatever brings you joy, during and outside the holidays. For me, I enjoy making the home festive during the holiday seasons, but I also really dislike having lots of bins and boxes full of holiday decorations, gathering dust during the time they’re not in use.

As such, I developed a list of sorts with my significant other. Though we mostly have the same tastes when it comes to interior design, we had differing opinions on a few things (he loves Halloween – my family didn’t celebrate it, and I decorate more for Chinese New Year as I’m ethnically Chinese). In any case, here’s some tips and tricks I kept in mind when crafting my holiday decor list (knowing it will be in storage for the rest of the year), as well as ideas and what we personally do. Everything holiday related is able to be stored in one reasonably sized clear bin. The most important thing is to pick out a few decorations that bring you joy, and not to feel obligated to add more for the sake of “completing a look”. Have fun composing a holiday home look that you love!

Key Considerations:

• Keep “permanent” seasonal pieces (tablecloth, place-mats, large decorative pieces) to a simple palate and add from there.
• Take advantage of seasonal or holiday single-use items such as plants, a bowl of colorful fruit, etc.
• Aromatics (Orange and cinnamon for winter, dried flowers for spring, etc) keep the house smelling festive. 
• Simple bunting, like paper, felt, or ball bunting can make the walls and entryways feel inviting without over-decorating.

SOME HOLIDAY DECOR IDEAS:

New Years Eve
Colors: Gold, White, Blue
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Stars, Clocks
My Suggestion: Simple gold bunting, some gold and white balloons. Champagne and maybe some poppers to round it out.

Chinese New Year & Midautumn Festival 
Colors: Red, Gold
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Paper Lanterns, Brush Stroke Art or Scroll, Lotus or Dragon imagery
My Suggestion: Porcelain vase with flowers. Oranges and a single pot of decorative bamboo sit on a red tablecloth. 

Valentines Day
Colors: White, Pink, Red
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Love Birds, Hearts, Chocolate, Roses
My Suggestion: Just a simple vase of red roses on the dinner table. 

Earth Day
Colors: Green, Blue, Brown, White
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Earth, Grass, Trees, Recycled Material
My Suggestion: Allow natural light inside. Keep decorations simple and eco-friendly with natural wood or plant derived items. 

Cinco de Mayo
Colors: Bright and Lively Colors.
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Piniata, Papercraft, Lights, Flag, Paper cutout bunting
My Suggestion: Succulents and cacti make great natural decor. A white doily table runner and straw baskets on the dinner table.

US Themed Holidays
Colors: Red, White, Blue
Some Possible Theme Ideas: US Flag
My Suggestion: A festive tablecloth and maybe some bunting and a bowl of punch. Small flag in the front yard.

Easter
Colors: Pastel
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Rabbit, Eggs, Basket, Sprouting Plants
My Suggestion: A vase of fresh tulips sits with some decorated sugar cookies. Cheery flag bunting in pastel colors. 

Eid
Colors: Blue, White
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Crescent Moons, Stars, Lanterns
My Suggestion: White patterned lanterns with candles, lots of greenery. If there is a roast of some sort, that is the centerpiece.

Halloween
Colors: Black, Grey, Orange, White
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Ghost, Window Cutout Witches, Jack O Lanterns, Mini Pumpkins
My Suggestion: A pumpkin or two. There are window cutout featuring silhouettes of witches. A broomstick leans on the porch.

Thanksgiving
Colors: Brown, Red, Orange
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Cornucopia, Turn of the Season, Autumnal Wreath
My Suggestion: Aromatics (herbs, candles) fill the house. A pumpkin or two (kept from October). Fall fruits decorate the table.

Hanukkah
Colors: White, Blue, Gold
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Menorah, Dreidels, Star of David
My Suggestion: Festive blue and white (or gold) bunting. Candles and green plants keep the room feeling inviting and fresh.

Diwali
Colors: Warm Colors (red, orange, yellows)
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Lights, Fresh Flower Bouquets
My Suggestion: Keep floor-space clear for art. Statues can be displayed with candles or flowers. Bunting and aromatics to finish.

Christmas 
Colors: Red, White, Green
Some Possible Theme Ideas: Evergreen, Mistletoe, Holly Branches, Poinsettias
My Suggestion: A tree with lights, ornaments, and a simple topper. A fresh wreath and a vase of seasonal flowers.