Simplify the Season // Five Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday

In my quest to simplify my life, I thought it was time for a round-up of tips that can help make the hustle and bustle of the holiday season less so.

1) Ask your kids what traditions they love and choose one or two to continue. Sometimes we cram in so many activities thinking that the more, the merrier, but in reality I’ve found that it just means I’m dragging tired kids from one thing to the next.

This year I asked my kids which traditions or activities they loved the most and we are going to table the rest for future years. It is a beautiful reminder that not every activity has to become a tradition.

And in case you’re curious, Luna’s favorite tradition is “HOT DOG CHRISTMAS” which we coined after she asked Santa for a hotdog to eat in 2021 (the year she was two). Ever since we’ve made gourmet dogs for our Christmas meal. :)

Organized | HOLIDAYSMaria BaerNovember 17, 2025The Baer Minimalist, LLCholidays, Gift Guide, KidsComment

Less is More // Your 2024 Guide to Meaningful Gifting

We believe the most meaningful gifts aren't always the ones wrapped in bows—they're the ones that create lasting memories or bring joy in simple ways. This holiday season, we’re focusing on experiences over things, quality over quantity, and highlighting some incredible local businesses we love. Whether you're treating yourself or surprising someone special, this guide offers a range of thoughtful gifts to make your holidays more memorable, without adding clutter.

I have been lucky enough to experience the creativity and talent from each of these businesses over the past several years, so take my word for it…anything from these local businesses would be a hit for those on your gift list. But to make the season of giving even more fun, each of these small businesses has a special offering for you, TBM friends! Enjoy and support local this holiday season.

Organized | HOLIDAYSMaria BaerNovember 25, 2024The Baer Minimalist, LLCHolidays, Gift GuideComment

Our 2022 Gift Guide

Gahhhh….it’s time for one of our favorite (and let’s be honest, only) blog posts of the year. Each year, we LOVE pulling together a list of intentional + thoughtful gifts for those gracing your list, many of which will add zero clutter to the recipient’s home.

This year we’ve broken it down into categories, and honestly, think there is something for just about anyone that you might have on your list (parents, kids, spouses, friends,…the dreaded minimalist).

Organized | HOLIDAYSMaria BaerNovember 22, 2022The Baer Minimalist, LLCGift Guide, HolidaysComment

The Baer Minimalist's Annual EXPERIENCE Gift Guide

Organized | HOLIDAYSMaria BaerNovember 22, 2021The Baer Minimalist, LLCHolidays, Gift GuideComment

The Baer Minimalist's Cozy at Home Gift Guide

I absolutely LOVE finding the perfect gift for each person who graces my gift list. In a “quote normal year,” I create a budget, have a Pinterest board that I fill throughout the year with gifts ideas for each of my family members, and do a pretty good job of not overbuying. But this year is….shall we say, different.

This year, I find myself getting sucked into every Instagram ad, clicking “add to cart” way more than normal, and then feeling this crazy sense of overwhelm when I look in “Santa’s workshop” (aka, the guest bedroom), and see the growing pile of stuff. I may have to book a session with myself after the holidays just to get the house back in order.

So as I think through the final gifts on my list and try to come up with a list of my own, I’m going back to the basics. Gifts that can be consumed, or provide a new skill or fun night in. Enter the 2020 Gift List Full of Things You Can Do Safely from the Comfort of Your Home. ;)

Organized | HOLIDAYSMaria BaerDecember 4, 2020The Baer MinimalistHolidays, Gift GuideComment

2019 Consumable Gift Guide...for Kids

The holiday season is quickly approaching (and I’m sure a birthday party or five). You might find yourself asking the age-old question...what am I going to do about gifts?!

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt “stuck” when it comes to gift buying (ME!).

I’m a huge proponent of consumable and experiential gifts (check out the 2017 and 2018 guides here) and wanted to make sure that we addressed the littlest gift recipients in our lives with this year’s installment.

$ - FREE OR LESS THAN $10

Kids love one-on-one time with you (especially if you have more than one child). Give your kiddo a budget and let them pick how you will spend it - the only caveat being that you have to DO something (rather than BUYING something). A suggestion, the Nutcracker Tea Party at Tina’s Traditional Tea Room in Carmel coming up on December 8.
If you’ve got time to get creative, plan a scavenger hunt or adventure day. Maybe you pull out a good old fashioned map and let your kiddo choose the destination. I promise the conversations you have & the memories you make will be worth more than any “thing” you could have bought them.

Top Five Consumable Gifts for 2018

I’m constantly working to help others declutter their spaces, so when it comes time for the season of giving, I’m always trying to think of gifts that are consumable or feature some sort of new experience as an alternative to gifting another ugly Christmas sweater!

Of course there are exceptions, but the idea of treating those you love to something unique that doesn’t add clutter to their space is the perfect way to be a gift-giver extraordinaire. And that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative when it comes to wrapping if you still want to create a thrill around opening!

Here are five gift ideas to add to your arsenal this holiday season:

Indianapolis Food Tour Experience: This past summer, our wonderful city launched food tours in Fountain Square, Fletcher Place and Mass Ave. Food tours have got to be one of my FAVORITE things to do when exploring a new city, but I feel like this is also a really fun thing to do right here in our own backyard. Foodies will be pumped to receive this as a treat to use in the new year, giving them the chance to devour bites from a number of restaurants AND see behind the scenes of some innovative Indianapolis establishments. Tours start at $55 per person and can be booked here. Gift certificates can be ordered through Sarah Frey with the Indy Cultural Trail (sfrey@indyculturaltrail.org).

Organized | LIFE, Organized | HOLIDAYSMaria BaerDecember 3, 2018The Baer Minimalist, LLCGift Guide, HolidaysComment

Pack Up + Go | The Gift of an Experience

I'm all about experiences over physical presents and am glad my hubby feels the same! Last year I came across the amazing concept of a surprise travel agency, ala Pack Up + Go.

I feel like there are so few times in life when you can truly be surprised, and generally it means that the people closest to you are in on the surprise. Pack Up + Go plans surprise 3-day domestic trips for you and boy, are they good at what they do.

Back in January, we decided that June 6 - 8 would be the weekend for our trip. We filled out a questioniarre about places we'd recently been, what we liked to do on vacation and the type of weather we preferred. And we recruited some friends to join us in the experience who are also the type to always be up for anything!

From there, it was in Pack Up + Go's hands!

Treat Yourself...A Consumable Gift Guide

Making a list and checking it twice...I love finding the perfect gift for my family and friends whether they are naughty or nice. However, as I get older, I find that consumable gifts have become a favorite to give and receive as they can still be super indulgent and fun without adding to the clutter. Here are my top clutter-free gifts (with a hint of local flare).

Organized | HOLIDAYSMaria BaerNovember 29, 2017The Baer Minimalist, LLCGift Guide Comment

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