Clutter-free Gifts – Edible Gifts Ideas

By Susan Caplan McCarthy

​If decluttering at home has inspired you to give clutter-free gifts, one possibility is edible items - which go far beyond the plate of cookies or the gift box of assorted cheeses and sausages. Knowing what someone likes to eat and what they’ll be willing to try means that you won’t be giving everyone the same gift, so your gifts will still be thoughtful.

• Go to a specialty food shop or website or the storefront at a local farm for unique items.
• Skip the cellophane-wrapped, premade gift basket and create a personalized goody bag. (And, skip the basket or keepsake box in favor of a simpler gift box or bag so you don’t burden the recipient with an item that lasts after the treats are gone.)
• Be thoughtful. You know your sister-in-law drink tea, but does she venture into loose teas or does she only drink Lipton tea? If you know your brother is still following a ketogenic diet, he’ll be thrilled to get a box of quality jerky.
• Avoid items that must be consumed right away. Yes, a dozen chocolate-covered strawberries are a wonderful gift, but will they spoil before the recipient can enjoy all of them? The same goes for that batch of cookies or homemade date-nut bread or even the basket of fruit.
• Consider items, like candy and snacks, from other countries for the adventuresome kid or teen.
• Take a friend out to a special meal at a restaurant the individual may not have ventured to on their own.
• Keep your budget in mind. People know that items that didn’t come from the big supermarket chain store cost more money. Don’t feel that you have to round out an edible gift with a lot of little extras that add to the cost.

Some ideas for themed or assorted edible gifts:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Wine
• Artisanal olive oil
• Flavored balsamic
• Jams and jellies
• Mustards and other condiments
• Chocolate
• Snacks
• Nuts
• Jerky
• Specialty salts
• Food items from ethnic shops
• Dinner kit that you’ve put together with nonperishable items like pasta and sauce
• Soup-mix or cookie starter in a jar (look online for recipes)

Find more ideas for clutter-free gifts in Gift Giving and Receiving when You're Decluttering and Minimizing.
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Do you have a favorite edible gift that you give (or have received)? Leave your suggestions in the comment section?