| No one wants to accumulate more clutter, but that's | | | | evening at a local attraction. Kids will enjoy tickets to |
| what a lot of people end up with after birthdays and | | | | the movies or pass to a local arcade or bounce |
| holidays. | | | | house. Adults will appreciate a round of golf, a day at |
| If you want to give gifts that are sure to be | | | | the spa or a trip to a fancy restaurant. You could |
| appreciated (and not donated in the next yard sale), | | | | also treat your gift recipient to a class in something |
| consider the following five clutter-free gift ideas. | | | | they are interested in. Most recreation departments |
| 1. The most obvious type of clutter-free gift is the | | | | in moderate to large sized cities offer classes on |
| gift card. While these cards have become somewhat | | | | everything from baking bread to balancing your |
| equated with thinking of a gift idea at the last | | | | checkbook. If you're going to go this route, definitely |
| minute, they are still appreciated by people who are | | | | choose the class more like the former than the latter. |
| looking to get exactly what they want out of a | | | | You can make the experience more fun by enrolling |
| present. Instead of going for the standard | | | | yourself as well so you can attend together. |
| "superstore" gift card, try to find a specialty gift card | | | | 4. Clutter-free gifts can help your friends and family |
| that reflects the type of things that the recipient is | | | | members get something that they would normally |
| most interested in. Try to find out about their | | | | get for themselves anyway. For example, you could |
| favorite store or activity and buy a card that deals | | | | give them a month's worth of the gardening service |
| with that. Look online for niche specialty stores. Or | | | | or maid service that they already use. You could also |
| order a gift card from an online store that will allow | | | | buy them a professional carpet cleaning. For |
| you to customize the gift card, including the | | | | something a little lower budget, you can purchase |
| recipient's name and even a special message. | | | | prepaid credits to get their digital pictures printed. |
| 2. Clutter-free gifts need to rely on aspects besides | | | | 5. For a gift that keeps on giving year-round, try a |
| physical substance to have an impact. Your gift | | | | gift-of-the-month club. Whether the gift recipient is |
| needs to have emotional weight for the recipient. | | | | fond of fruits or has a penchant for red meat, there |
| Giving a gift that will make memories for the recipient | | | | are gift-of-the-month clubs for every taste. Each |
| is a way to give something that will truly have an | | | | month, your gift recipient will receive fresh food or |
| impact on their lives. One of the best ways to do | | | | other items. In addition to food of the month clubs, |
| this is to give the gift of travel. Sending someone | | | | you can also find spa items, wines, flowers and DVDs |
| you love on a cruise or paying their way on a train | | | | that can arrive on their doorstep every month. And |
| trip is a terrific way to bestow a gift on a person. | | | | you needn't commit to a full year of gifting. Most |
| Some online travel sites offer gift cards in various | | | | clubs have more affordable options that allow you to |
| denominations that the recipient can apply toward | | | | give for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. |
| the trip of their choice. | | | | No matter what type of clutter-free gift you get, |
| 3. You could also help your friend or loved one make | | | | the recipient will be sure to be thankful if you choose |
| memories locally by treating them to an afternoon or | | | | one from this list. |