Gift Giving With Clutter Reduction In Mind

Do you ever receive gifts that you simply do not want or can not use? Of course you do – we all do. I have worked with so many clients who have closets full of unusable/unwanted gifts. So what do you get for people that won’t become just more clutter in their homes? Read on for some ideas on how to be a gift giver who doesn’t add to clutter…..

Gift Certificates – People always say that they don’t like to give gift cards because they are not personal. However, I have yet to meet a single person who complained about receiving a gift card. What better gift than being able to get something you really want or need. A wonderful option is www.giftcertificates.com where you can issue a dollar amount for the recipient to apply to the store, restaurant or travel agency of their choice. Furthermore, you can go green and email it so no plastic changes hands.

Consumable Gifts – What better than to give a gift that can be used and doesn’t have to be stored. Food gifts and flowers are always a great option. Another idea is bath and body products. www.ezrioni.com makes high quality, earth friendly products that can be personalized as well. These make great gifts for adults as well as kids, who get a huge kick out of having bubble bath with their name on it. With these types of gifts, you are not only giving the recipient something they can use, but something that will not be a burden to their organizing efforts.

Gift of Experience – Instead of giving an object, what about an experience? Take the recipient to a show or to a cool tourist spot they have never been. Or what about getting them a membership to a cool museum or getting season tickets to their favorite sports team? Instead of filling their closets, why not fill their heart with a fun time they will never forget. If you can’t be there to take them somewhere, why not get them an entertainment book so they can make their own experiences at a reduced price. At www.entertainment.com you can order an entertainment book for any zip code.

Gift of Service – Instead of filling someone’s cupboards, how about getting them de-cluttered! Give the gift of organizing with a gift certificate from Clear the Clutter! Or does your gift receipient always say that they would love to have an interior decorator come? How about a gift certificate from Distinctive Interior Designs (www.distinctiveinteriordesigns.net ) There are so many great ways to spoil your gift recipient through gifts of service. They will think of you and what a great gift giver you are for years to come as they enjoy their newly painted room or organized closets.

As the holiday season starts to slowly come upon us, keep these tips in mind. January is a time of de-cluttering households. You don’t want to spend your hard earned money on gifts that will just end up going out with the rest of that clutter.


Meagan Farrell, professional organizer, is the owner of Clear the Clutter organizing services. She can be reached at (360) 631-7268 or at clear_theclutter@yahoo.com. Check out her blog at http://cleartheclutterprofessionalorganizing.blogspot.com/

Giving Directions

Here is a quick organizing tip for the day. If you entertain a lot or have recently moved, you probably have people asking for directions to your house on a regular basis. Simplify things by writing up a good set of directions in a word document. Save this on your computer. Every time someone needs directions, just email them the attachment. Quick and simple!