50 Clutter Free Gift Ideas for the Friend Who Values an Experience

Shannon Quinn - March 12, 2020
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In 2020, minimalism has become a huge trend. A lot of people are trying their best to have a clutter-free home that is only filled with the things that we truly love. However, this makes it a little bit harder to give someone a gift for the holidays or a birthday. If we know that someone doesn’t want a lot of clutter in their home, how can we give them a gift to remember us by? The solution is actually simple, and it will create more memories than ever before. The best way to give a clutter-free gift is by paying for an experience that the two of you can share together. Here are 50 clutter-free gift ideas that you can give to nearly anyone on your list.

Going through a guided tour can help give you a new perspective of a city. Credit: Shutterstock

50. A Guided City Tour

You may think that you know your nearest city like the back of your hand, but you would be surprised to see just how many hidden treasures there are in plain sight. Paying for a guided city tour is a great way to get the perspective of an expert. They will point out historic landmarks, and tell stories that you never knew about a city. Tours are usually also geared towards a certain topic. For example, you can go on ghost tours, war landmarks, beer tasting tours, and so much more. This is also perfect if you are planning to travel with your friend, and you want to celebrate your fandom together. For example, in London, you could visit all about the locations of where Jack the Ripper murdered his victims, and another with all the film locations for the Harry Potter movies.

Comedy clubs are a great place to bring someone on a date. Credit: Shutterstock

49. Comedy Club Tickets

One of the best ways to bond with someone is to laugh. And if you are just getting to know them, you might be curious to know what their sense of humor is like. Taking them to a comedy club is a great way to have a good time. Even better is the fact that research has shown that laughter is an aphrodisiac, which makes it the perfect place to treat someone for a date. If you thought a romantic dinner with roses was romantic, you might be surprised to hear that a comedy club might work much better to create a lot of sparks in your relationship.

Bowling is the most fun when you are with a group of friends. Credit: Shutterstock

48. Bowling Tickets

Bowling is the perfect sport to do with people who are not actually very athletic. It can be a lot of fun with just two people, but it is actually much better in a group setting. Bowling can give your group of friends or date a spark of competition. When you’re in a large group of people, you get plenty of opportunities to sit down and rest. Most bowling alleys actually serve beer, pizza, and snacks as well, so if you are over the age of 21, it can serve as a great place to have some fun and relax while feeling good about getting at least some form of exercise.

Theatrical productions can be awe-inspiring. Credit: Shutterstock

47. Theater, Ballet, and Opera Tickets

If you are not already visiting your local theatrical productions, you might be surprised to see just how much talent you have in your own hometown. Many of these people who perform in local theaters are very passionate about what they do, so they put their heart and souls into their plays and musicals. And even if you have never gone to one before, a ballet or opera is also a beautiful thing to see at least once in your life. If you live near a major city, it would be even better to go to a more professional theatrical production.

Credit: Shutterstock

46. Concert Tickets

If you know that your friend is a huge fan of a certain band, it can be an extremely thoughtful gift to give them tickets to see their favorite artist. There might also be a music festival in your local area that has multiple bands that your friend or loved one might be interested in. Keep in mind that certain venues will have very different vibes than others, so you should be prepared for what you can expect. For example, at Ska or Punk rock shows, you can expect mosh pits, crowded rooms, and potentially getting shoved by someone who is thrashing around while they dance to the music. Some people might have grown too old to deal with these kind of shenanigans, and they would prefer to see their favorite bands in a seat in an actual theater.

Giving a dinner gift card is a good excuse to go out to eat. Credit: Kaboom Pics

45. Dinner Gift Card

Everyone has to eat, so giving a gift card to someone’s favorite restaurant almost always goes over well. This is especially true if you both go to this restaurant together often. It gives you an excuse to go out to eat again, and your loved one can buy whatever they want with their gift card. This usually gives someone the excuse to try something new when they don’t actually have to pay for it. It can help to expand their Horizons when it comes to food, or it could just be a deliciously good time.

Escape rooms are confusing, but at lot of fun. Credit: Shutterstock

44. Escape Room

In case you are not aware, and escape room is an attraction where a group of friends goes into a locked room for an hour and they have to figure out how to get out. Most Escape rooms try to give various themes so that people are interested in coming back to the same location multiple times. This usually costs $25 to $30 per person. Keep in mind that most locations have a minimum amount of people that they will allow before you can rent out a room, so this may be something that you can plan with people, but cover the cost of someone’s to get if you are celebrating their birthday or any other occasion.

Helping someone get a free haircut can be a great gift. Credit: Shutterstock

43. A Salon Day

Self-care is yet another trend in 2020, so everyone deserves to be pampered for at least a day. Giving someone a salon gift card is great, because they can choose what to use it for. Most large salons will have a lot of options like getting a massage, manicures, pedicures, and hair styling. Make sure that you are choosing somewhere that is close to where your friend lives, and bonus points if you already know where they currently get their hair done. Most people are finicky about their hair stylist, so they might want to stick with the person that they already use.

Horse back riding can be a great date. Credit: Shutterstock

42. Horseback Riding

Have you ever wanted to try horseback riding, but you don’t have the money to buy a horse? If you live in a rural area, you can actually go to a lot of local stables and farms that offer horseback riding lessons. And if you or your friend already know how to ride a horse, it’s possible to skip the lessons and simply go riding for an hour or two. Many of these places will allow you to borrow the horses to go around a trail. This can be a great way to connect with nature, and it can be great exercise as well. However, make sure the person you are buying this gift for is not afraid of horses.

Indoor rock climbing can be great exercise. Credit: Pixabay

41. Indoor Rock Climbing

If your friend is an athletic person, rock climbing lessons might be a great option as an activity to do together. Most rock climbing gyms have a beginner’s package that will pair you with a coach for an hour just to learn how to rock climb. And if both of you already know how to rock climb, you could offer to pay for a day at the gym. For people who are already advanced, you can also do outdoor rock climbing with a coach. This is especially great if you are visiting somewhere that is famous for bouldering up their mountainside.

Laser tag is a thrilling experience with a group of friends. Credit: Shutterstock

40. Laser Tag

Even as an adult, laser tag can be a really fun way to spend a day with your friends. Usually, tickets are roughly $10 to $15 per person, so this can be a really affordable treat for you to give to someone you care about. Obviously, laser tag and a lot more fun if you have a large group of friends. So this would be best if you could get a lot of people together, and offer to treat one or more of the people in the group. Laser tag is usually located in a larger amusement park, or near other attractions. So you could also pair this with treating someone to dinner or dessert after the game is over.

Golf if a great low-impact sport for people of all ages. Credit: Pixabay

39. Golf or Mini Golf

Golf is one of those sports that is fun for the whole family. If you have kids, then you might want to take them to mini golf, where you can all play together. For adults, you can go to a driving range for only $5 to $10 per person. This will buy you a bucket of golf balls so that you can practice your swing. And if you are feeling exceptionally generous, you can pay for a full round of golf at a country club.

Most people love going to the movies. Credit: Shutterstock

38. Movie Pass

Everyone loves going to the movies, so a gift card to the local theater is almost always guaranteed to go over well. This is also a great excuse to go to a movie with someone if you have already paid for their ticket in advance. Even if it turns out that this person does not go to the movies often, they will appreciate having the gift card on hand the next time there is a major premier that all of their friends and family are going to together, like a new Marvel or Star Wars movie.

AAA is a service that helps you get towed if your car breaks down. Credit: Shutterstock

37. AAA Membership

Some of you out there might be raising an eyebrow at the idea of giving someone a AAA membership for a gift. However, some people who drive older vehicles really do need the help whenever their car breaks down. A basic membership will only tow you for 3 miles, so you have to go to the mechanic that is closest to where ever you break down. But for a little bit more money, you can buy an upgraded membership that will cover 100 miles of towing to bring you to your mechanic of choice, or your home. The great thing about these AAA memberships is that you can use them up to three times per year, and as long as you’re in the car with the person that is broken down, they can help your friends get a free tow, too.

Amazon Prime is a great membership gift to give someone. Credit: Shutterstock

36. A Year of Amazon Prime

Millions of people already have Amazon Prime. Whether your friend already has Prime or not, they should appreciate a gift card to have one free year of service. Since the membership is $119, it’s not exactly cheap, so you really are giving a substantial clutter-free gift. If you give this to someone who already uses Amazon Prime on a weekly basis, your friend will be excited to know that they are now saving money on their household expenses. In case you don’t already know, Amazon Prime give so much more than free 2-day shipping. You can also get streaming movies and TV shows, Audible, Amazon music, and so much more.

Watching a live concert can be a very emotionally moving experience. Credit: Shutterstock

35. Orchestra Tickets

If your friend happens to love orchestral music, it would be a great idea to get them tickets to a local concert. Most major cities will have their own orchestras that will perform on a regular basis. Your nearest college or university is also likely to have a student orchestra that will give live performances. Sometimes, schools will allow you to visit their concerts for free, or for a very small price under $10 per person. Even if neither of you have ever been to an orchestra performance before, it can be a life-changing experience. There is nothing quite like listening to gorgeous music in the right setting. No matter who you are, you should be able to walk away satisfied.

Learning how to shoot a gun can make you feel empowered. Credit: Shutterstock

34. A Day at a Shooting Range

In the United States, you probably already know at least one person that owns a gun. If you wanted to take your friend to a shooting range, there are usually available in every large town or city. Going to a shooting range can help make you feel empowered. Most shooting ranges will charge you separately for the time you spend in the range, and for borrowing their guns. Usually, you should expect to pay around $30 per person if neither of you own a gun. Most of these facilities give discounts for active duty military and veterans. They also offer yearly memberships so that you can come back as often as you like.

If you love sports, why not buy tickets? Credit: Shutterstock

33. Tickets to a Sporting Event

If you know someone who loves sports, one of the most obvious things you could give them as a gift is tickets to a game. The cost per ticket will vary drastically depending on what sport you are trying to see. It could cost as little as $20, or upwards of a few thousand dollars if you were to go somewhere extravagant like the Super Bowl. Sometimes, you can get away with paying significantly less to see your favorite team if you go to spring training or any other off season games. For mega sports fans, you may also be able to turn this into an entire vacation.

Trampoline parks are great exercise, and a lot of fun. Credit: Shutterstock

32. Trampoline Park

Indoor trampoline parks have become all the rage among families with kids. If you’ve never been to one before, it is a large warehouse that is filled with wall-to-wall trampolines. A lot of these places will allow you to rent them out for birthday parties, or you could just bring a group of friends on the weekend. This is a great experience to give to your children, or an adult who loves to get some exercise.

Visiting animals at a zoo can be very relaxing. Credit: Pixabay

31. Visit a Zoo or Aquarium

Every major city in the United States has a zoo or aquarium. Even some of the smaller towns that you would not expect might have a zoo of their own. So if you are trying to figure out a gift for someone that loves animals, it might be a good idea to purchase tickets to visit them in real life. You might also have an animal sanctuary in your local area, because they will give a home to animals that would not have anywhere else to go.

Art museums have stunning works available for free or cheap. Credit: Pixabay

30. Art Museum

Going to an art museum can be an amazing cultural experience. You often learn something new, and it can be a very calming way to spend your day. There are even museums that will be interactive and a great backdrop for Instagram photo shoots. Every major city will have at least one art museum. places like New York will have dozens of art museums to choose from, so you can pick locations that are more along the lines of your friends Style. Sometimes, a museum will give you free admission and ask if you will be willing to give a donation. For those that charge a fee, museum tickets typically cost around $10 to $30 per person.

Audible gives you the ability to listen to audio books. Credit: Shutterstock

29. Audible Membership

For all of the voracious readers in your life, they just might appreciate having the ability to listen to audiobooks during their commute. Audible is an app that allows you to listen to audiobooks. Usually, when someone signs up for their first audible trial, they will get a few free books to listen to. After the trial period, they will have to pay a monthly fee for book credits, or purchase books individually. Audible gift cards range from $15 to $45, and can be purchased online.

If your friend loves Netflix, you can give them a gift card to enjoy their favorite shows and movies. Credit: Shutterstock

28. A Streaming Service Gift Card

Pretty much everyone loves watching Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+. So why not give them gift cards to experience their streaming for free? This can also be a great gift to give someone who is curious to try out one of these services, but they haven’t wanted to sign up on their own. On Amazon, you can buy Netflix gift cards from $30 to $100 each, so your friends can have multiple months of free streaming, courtesy of you.

Visiting a national park can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Credit: Pixabay

27. National and State Parks

The world is a beautiful place, so you might as well enjoy the great outdoors as much as possible. Visiting a national or state park is a great way to get to know an area. This is perfect for anyone who loves hiking, fishing, and camping. Normally, driving into a national park costs a fee per car. The National Park Service offers an annual pass for $80 that allows you access to any park in the country. This would be a great gifts to give to someone who you know is already planning a road trip around the United States, and they would actually utilize the pass to visit multiple parks.

Some people really love their magazines. Credit: Kaboom Pics

26. A Magazine Subscription

Magazines are great for an easy read when you go to the beach, airport, or even the bathroom. Some people love to buy a magazine at the cafe, but when it costs 5 to $10 per issue, the cost can seriously add up. If you know that your friend has a favorite magazine, you could surprise them with a monthly subscription. These usually only cost $20 per year, which is a lot cheaper than buying the magazines at your local bookshop or news stand.

Theme parks are great fun for the whole family. Credit: Pixabay

25. Theme and Water Park Tickets

If you’re looking for a family-friendly gift to give to someone, look no further than theme or water park tickets. This can be a great way to spend time with your family, or even have an amazing date. If you are feeling generous, and happen to live near one of the Disney parks, you could treat someone to an annual pass. Many major theme parks will also offer gift card options. This way, you could help contribute towards a portion of their ticket or annual pass if you cannot afford to pay for the entire thing.

Parents will appreciate as much free babysitting as they can get. Credit: Shutterstock

24. Free Babysitting

If you have friends who recently had a baby, if there is probably nothing better than giving them a homemade gift certificate for free babysitting. Normally, hiring a babysitter costs at least $50, and sometimes up to $100, depending on how long they stay away. It is expensive and nerve-wracking to hand over your baby to a babysitter. By offering a homemade coupon to do this for your friends, you are saving the money and giving them permission to go on a date or get something done.

Professional car washing and detailing is a great gift to give. Credit: Shutterstock

23. Car Wash

Going to a car wash might only cost a few dollars to clean your vehicle. However, there is something called car detailing that will give a vehicle a very in-depth clean to the point where it almost seems brand new. Normally, detailing costs $50 to $125 for an average small vehicle, and $75 to $150 for an SUV or van. Check for services in your local area, and ask if they offer gift cards. This would be an amazing gift to give to someone who recently got a brand new car, and they treat it like their baby. They will be thrilled to know that they now have the option to get it cleaned to perfection.

Getting a family portrait can capture a moment in time. Credit: Shutterstock

22. Family Portrait Session

When you were a kid, you might remember your parents taking you to a department store to have family portraits taken. Nowadays, everyone has a cell phone with a camera, so they might not think to pay for a full photography package. However, there is still something special about getting everyone dressed up to have a family photo taken together. This can be a great gift to give someone who just celebrated a special event. Engagement, pregnancy, newborn babies, and anniversaries. Depending on where you go, it may cost $100 to $150 dollars to have a photo package that includes prints.

Everyone needs gas, so why not give them a gift card? Credit: Pixabay

21. Gas Card

The vast majority of people in the United States own a car because it is necessary for them to get back and forth to work. So pretty much everyone can appreciate getting a gas gift card. You can usually find these at your local gas station, or order them online.

Most people can appreciate getting a free house cleaner. Credit: Shutterstock

20. House Cleaner

If you have a friend who recently gave birth to a baby, had a loss in the family, or any other event that is making it difficult for them to keep up with their house work, it might be a beautiful gesture to help pay for house cleaning service. Usually, house cleaners cost between $25 to $50 per hour, or they might charge a flat $100 per session. Some services will allow you to have an initial trial period at a discount, just to see if you liked having your house cleaned.

Everyone needs an oil change. Credit: Shutterstock

19. Oil Change

Everyone needs to get an oil change done to their car every few thousand miles. The only trouble is that it can cost around $50 if your car takes synthetic oil. So even though it might not be the most exciting gift in the world, people will truly appreciate if you give them a gift card that is good for oil change. You might also want to give them a gift card to the local mechanic, because they might decide to use that money towards something else that they need to get done that is more urgent than an oil change.

Home made desserts are amazing treats. Credit: Kaboom Pics

18. Baking a Dessert

There is almost nothing sweeter than getting a home baked treat from someone you love. This is a very affordable way to give someone a gift without causing a lot of clutter. Obviously, clever you give the baked goods to is going to eat them, and they won’t take up space much longer.

Learning to dance can be good exercise. Credit: Shutterstock

17. Dance Lessons

Going to dance lessons can be a romantic way to bond with your significant other. There are so many different styles of dance, there should be something to suit everyone’s taste. And, obviously, this is also a great way to get some exercise.

Improv classes are great for aspiring actors and comedians. Credit: Shutterstock

16. An Improv Class

If you know anyone who is interested in acting or stand-up comedy, going to an improv class can be a great way to get some practice. This can also be a great way to help someone who is trying to get out of their shell and build some confidence. Improv can be very silly, but it’s a great experience if you’ve never gone through it before.

You and your friend could have your minds blown by an illusionist or magician. Credit: Shutterstock

15. Tickets to a Magic Show

Going to see a live magician or illusionist is a lot of fun, especially if they are skilled in what they do. Finding a life magic show might not be common in your local area, but if you live near somewhere like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, it should be easy for you to find tickets to a show on almost any given weekend. There are also some magic societies all over the United States, so it might require a bit of research before you find a good show.

Explore underwater with scuba diving lessons. Credit: Shutterstock

14. Scuba Diving Lessons

Already planning a tropical vacation? Then a perfect add-on gift to your trip would be paying for scuba diving lessons. This is especially perfect for someone who loves fish and underwater life, but they have never been able to afford the lessons in the past.

Aspiring singers will appreciate getting vocal lessons. Credit: Shutterstock

13. Voice Lessons

We all know at least one person who aspires to be a professional singer. This is why giving the gift of vocal lessons can be a valuable experience. One vocal lesson will cost $10 to $35 for a half-hour, depending on the experience of the teacher. Paying for voice lessons is actually great for kids who are already enrolled in choir or a School Musical, because this will help give them a competitive edge.

A yoga class can help someone attain a moment of zen. Credit: Shutterstock

12. A Yoga Class

If you enjoy doing yoga, but you haven’t convinced your friends to start yet, find them a daily pass might be a way to get them through the door. Of course, this is also a great gift to give someone if they already enjoy yoga on a regular basis.

Everyone can appreciate a good box of chocolates. Credit: Shutterstock

11. A Box of Chocolates

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Buying a box of chocolates for someone you love is great, especially since you can share them together. Chances are that it won’t last long in your house, and it won’t cause much clutter.

High quality coffee beans are much appreciated. Credit: Burst by Shopify

10. Gourmet Coffee Beans

Coffee snobs out there will appreciate receiving whole fresh coffee beans. If you’re not sure if they already have a coffee grinder or not, you could purchase one for them and combine both gifts together.

Flowers are guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s face. Credit: Kaboom Pics

9. Flowers

One of the classic gifts that everyone has given to someone at some point in their life is a bouquet of flowers. Roses are always classic, but you should try to pay attention to see what someone’s favorite flower is. They will be impressed that you remembered, and it will make a bigger impact.

Local farmers, bakers, and artisans will sell their food at public events. Credit: Burst by Shopify

8. Local Foods

Check out your local farmers market to find locally made foods and canned goods. You might be surprised to find locally-made honey, jams, baked goods, and so much more. Sometimes, these can be more expensive than what you find in a grocery store, but it feels very special to give and receive food that you know is supporting someone in your local community.

Gamers will appreciating getting a gift card for their favorite system. Credit: Shutterstock

7. Video Game Gift Card

For your hardcore gaming friends, there is probably no better gift that you could give then a video game gift card. This could come in the form of a GameStop gift card where they can purchase a physical game of their choice, or you might want to give them a digital subscription to a service like Steam.

There are few things in this world better than a nice bottle of wine. Credit: Kaboom Pics

6. A Bottle of Wine

Buying someone a bottle of wine is a great gift for a number of reasons. This can help make a date a bit more romantic, or it can help to celebrate a special occasion. If they are already the type of person who enjoys going to wineries for tastings, this is a good bet that they will appreciate receiving a full bottle. Bonus points if you have already gone to a winery with this person, and you remembered their favorite flavor. Some people even have certain wines that they wish they could buy, but it is far too expensive.

Offering to watch after your friend’s pets can be truly appreciated. Credit: Shutterstock

5. Free Petsitting

Having a pet is a wonderful experience, but you still have to take care of them. This can prevent some people from traveling as often as they would like, because they are afraid of boarding there pet with a stranger. Offering free pet sitting services to your friends and family can be a great gift, especially considering that they would otherwise have to pay someone else a fee to look after their dogs and cats.

Loose leaf tea is delicious, and an elegant gift to give someone. Credit: Kaboom Pics

4. Fancy Loose Leaf Tea

If you have a friend who loves to drink tea, it would only make sense to give them a tin of expensive loose leaf tea leaves. There are also tea sample gift sets sold online, so your friends can try several flavors before they decide to buy a full size package. However, make sure they already have a tea ball or a full tea infuser set that allows you to steep the loose leaf tea in hot water.

Sometimes, there is nothing better than a home cooked meal. Credit: Shutterstock

3. Cook a Gourmet Meal

If you have ever attempted a gourmet recipe, you already know that I can be very expensive. Some of these ingredients can only be found in specialty grocery stores, or you might even have to buy a special tool online. This is why cooking a gourmet meal for someone can actually be a great gift. Before you get started, make sure that you know of a dish that your loved one has wanted to try. They will be impressed to know that you went through the trouble of learning how to make that meal for them. Not sure where to begin? Start watching YouTube tutorials on channels like Bon Appetit where they give you step-by-step instructions on how to make some amazing gourmet dishes.

Breweries are a fun place to relax and enjoy a good local beer. Credit: Burst by Shopify

2. Visiting a Brewery or Winery

Breweries are a great place to go with friends, no matter how big or small they may be. Larger facilities will offer tours so that you can see a behind-the-scenes look of how they make their beer. Smaller breweries might feel more like a bar, but they usually have outdoor spaces for you to play horseshoes, barbecue, or do other activities with your friends. Wineries are also amazing, especially if you prefer wine over beer. These are usually a lot fancier, and might be a great place to bring a date. Whether you are looking to drink beer or wine, both places will give you a glass where it is possible for you to do a tasting of everything that they make. Once you find your favorite, you can buy an entire bottle and enjoy the experience of hanging out in the brewery or winery.

Uber gift cards help your friends get free rides when they need it. Credit: Shutterstock

1. An Uber or Lyft Giftcard

Anyone who lives in a city can attest to the fact that sometimes, Uber is necessary to getting around. This is especially true for college students who decided to keep their cars at home while they complete their degree. If you go out to the city on the weekends a lot, the cost of paying for Uber rides can add up, too. Same goes if you are traveling often, and you need rides to and from the airport. You can buy digital Uber gift cards with email delivery, and your friends can add that digital credit to their account.

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