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From a purely logical standpoint, the best gift for a minimalist is no gift at all. That’s because the folks who are wholeheartedly dedicated to a minimal lifestyle have carefully curated their belongings, keeping only what they need, as well as a few items they truly love. It’s why their homes always seem so tidy and why they can pull off those gorgeous open cabinets in the kitchen even if they cook every night of the week.
Minimalists generally also put a lot of thought into what makes it into their homes, and something that may seem beautiful and useful to you might actually stress them out—especially if getting rid of it comes with the risk of hurting your feelings. Combine all of that with the fact that many also happen to be intimidatingly stylish people, and the prospect of picking out the perfect gift for a minimalist can start to feel like an impossible task.
But giving nothing is no fun for anybody. And while cash and gift cards are always appreciated, they’re not exactly a joy to give or receive either. So before you throw in the towel (or buy them even more tea towels) check out this list of the best gifts for minimalists. Most of these gift ideas happen to be our specialty here at Epi—edible goods that won’t stay in the kitchen long. I’ve also included a handful of other consumables for the home that don’t last forever, like flowers and candles, plus a small selection of high-quality items that aren’t going to end up in the “donate” pile.
The 33 best gifts for minimalists in 2023
No matter who you’re buying for, you can’t go wrong with this highly giftable sampler box of four infused olive oils from one of our favorite direct-to-consumer oil and vinegar brands.
The minimalist with a sweet tooth will be thrilled to unwrap a variety pack of specialty chocolate bars.
For the heat-seeking minimalist, get a set of three amazing hot sauces from Fly By Jing.
The highly caffeinated minimalist will love receiving Epi's favorite coffee subscription, which works with more than 50 roasters to send a customized selection of ethically-sourced beans.
Give the tea-drinking minimalist this loose-leaf Earl Grey that comes in a cute little tin they’ll surely find a way to repurpose once it’s empty.
Anyone who loves to cook will appreciate the best Dutch oven you can buy. It can be used to make just about anything in the oven or on the stove, and with proper care, it will last forever.
If they’re already in a long-term relationship with a Le Creuset, a knob upgrade will make the whole thing feel brand new again.
Good salt will never go to waste, and these infused finishing salts come in cute little slide tins that can be repurposed or refilled—or discarded if they must. They also happen to make especially adorable stocking stuffers.
This colorful dish scrubby can replace a whole host of dishwashing tools and in a pinch, it can be used to scrub veggies too.
A tiny broom and dustpan can help home cooks curb a paper towel habit, and this wooden set is adorably giftable.
For the minimalist with an Instagram-worthy kitchen, this aesthetically-pleasing bar of solid dish soap that uses no plastic actually works pretty well.
Even the most minimalist home could use some fresh flowers, whether you send a one-time gift or set them up with a monthly subscription.
There’s a whole subset of minimalists who are also plant maximalists, so why not add one more to the mix?
The minimalist who’s always burning incense will love this beautiful, barely-there brass incense holder that will only get prettier with age.
Whether they think green is a neutral now or they keep an all-white home, a minimalist who loves to host will appreciate some new unscented candles for the table.
Beautiful and useful items are a minimalist’s dream, and these fancy match cloches check both boxes. (Pair a cloche with one of the candle picks above for a more substantial gift.)
Anything that takes up valuable shelf space should be versatile, and this colorful carafe can be used for wine, water, or as a vase.
This box full of French cheeses will be gone before they ever had a chance to complain it was taking up space in the fridge.
For the minimalist who bakes, parchment paper cut to size so not a single scrap goes to waste.
This cinnamon-and-vanilla-infused maple syrup is so good they might be tempted to order an entire case.
A whole leg of serrano ham is one of those gifts that’s somehow both minimalist and maximalist.
This premixed Negroni from one of New York City’s most popular Italian restaurants means they only need to keep one bottle on their bar instead of three.
Minimalists value products that are made to last, and this super-packable, lightweight grocery tote is durable and machine washable. Bonus: it has pockets.
For the minimalist who could use a fancy night in, a caviar gift set. (They'll probably give away the cooler and keep the tiny mother of pearl spoons and that's totally fine.)
And if you’re looking for a last-minute gift, digital subscriptions are perfect for minimalists who love to cook, whether they want to listen to an audiobook about food or level-up their culinary skills.
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