Can you believe Valentine’s Day is only a little over two weeks away? I love holidays (even of the Hallmark variety), and the chance to give gifts to my loved ones. Perhaps this isn’t the most minimalist approach, but I take great joy in finding gifts that I think they will enjoy and put to good use.
The worst kind of gift to me is one that ends up turning into clutter because it just sits around. I tend to gravitate towards consumable items as gift choices since they can either be used up or eaten within a matter of a few months, so they don’t leave a footprint in the receiver’s home for too long. My one exception is for items that aren’t necessarily consumable, but would prove to be extremely useful or very much enjoyed.
I have decided that if there is a good response to this post, I would really love to start up a whole series of non-clutter gift guides for each holiday as the year progresses. I really had a fun time putting this together 🙂 . Please share your thoughts and opinions with me after reading, as I’d appreciate any feedback!
For Valentine’s Day, I’ve put together a list of gift ideas for your Valentine(s) that goes beyond the typical flowers and box of chocolates (not that those wouldn’t be very much appreciated). You won’t find a single stuffed animal or useless knickknack on here. Who really needs more of those? Best of all, each and every one of these gifts ideas are under $10.
Non-clutter Valentine’s Day gift ideas for under $10:
Kids
- Art supplies: heart-shaped stickers, crayons, candy-shaped scented markers, or some red glitter glue.
- Valentine’s Day themed book: I love the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie book and found this adorable book in the series that I’m eyeing for Little Miss: Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse!. I personally don’t consider books for kids as clutter (within reason), but if you already have books spilling off your kids’ shelves, perhaps skip this gift idea.
- Bathtime fun: I think these bath finger paints in red look like a blast!
Ladies
- Gifts of relaxation/pampering:
- Bath bombs, bubble bath, or rose petal soap for an indulgent bath
- Luxurious lotion
- Travel size of her favorite perfume
- Nicely scented shower gels
- Fun treats beyond the typical box of chocolates:
- This pink hot chocolate is pretty awesome – it changes color once you add hot water!
- A gourmet cupcake from a local bakery
- White chocolate-covered strawberries with pink and red sprinkles
Guys
Perhaps it’s just my Husband, but he really isn’t a fan of sweets at all, so I came up with a list of gift ideas that I think he would really love. Hopefully the guy in your life will too!
- For the cigar aficionado – a favorite cigar or two to enjoy
- Gourmet snacks – beef jerky, nuts, or other nicer quality snack goodies
- Microbrew beers that they wouldn’t normally purchase for themselves
- For the bearded gentleman – some beard oil or conditioner
What are some inexpensive, non-clutter gift ideas that you think would be a perfect gift for your Valentine(s)?
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These are all great ideas and affordable, even better! I agree, little gifts are nice, but the clutter is just too much at times. I personally love to receive bath items and or a gift certificate to a spa or to get my nails done. That would be a nice treat. I usually buy my son a nice card and some candy but this year I’m thinking we should definitely do a craft or even create a gift for someone else.
Thanks Chonce! I know, I enjoy giving little gifts too much and know that once my daughter is a bit older and can enjoy the holidays more, I will want to have little goodies for each holiday for her. I may be trying to declutter my life, but I think small gifts that prove to be useful or easily used up will be a nice compromise for me!
What a great idea, creating gifts for others is so much fun! And a good lesson in the importance of giving too 🙂 I’ll have to remember that once Little Miss is old enough for crafts!
Great ideas! I don’t like giving ‘cluttery’ gifts either. Thanks for the inspiration.
Please do clutter-free gift guides for each holiday, I’m sure you’ll get a lot of readers 🙂
Thanks so much Angela! I appreciate the feedback! 🙂
You come up with the most FANTASTIC ideas! Maybe it’s just because it’s the kind of things that are right up my alley. Non-clutter is one of my favorite things. Please do consider doing the series. Pretty please! 🙂
Aw! Thank you very much Kay, that is quite the compliment! 🙂 I am thinking I will definitely follow through with the series. Even if no one had ended up reading this I had so much fun putting it together that I would just do it for the enjoyment of it! Hah.
Valentine’s Day can be quite expensive if people make it that way. You shared some really good ideas on how it can be made frugal yet still meaningful, and to me the lack of clutter is icing on the cake! Have to say, speaking of which, that those stuffed animals can really take up accumulate over the years and take up space – particularly with kids.
Thank you!! Agreed, even if it’s a Hallmark holiday I still enjoy giving little gifts for Valentine’s Day. Gifts aren’t necessary to prove your love for someone, but it’s just plain old fun for me to do so! Haha oh yes, my daughter is only 7-months-old and girlfriend already has quite the collection of stuffed animals from family and friends….I can only imagine how many she’ll have in a few years!