Minimalists don't want a fancy blender, a new decorative wine rack or those fuzzy slippers with their favorite sports team logo (no matter how cute you think they are). Say it with me: They don't want stuff. Resistance is futile; embrace it and find them what they do want.
THE EXPERIENCE GIFT
Even without being able to gift things, you've got plenty of options. Instead of giving an item, give an experience: tickets to a concert, a play, the symphony, a movie, a sporting event. Or think longer-term: MAC annual memberships are a cool $35 ($50 for a couple or $75 for a household) and get members into exhibits, special events and the museum's archives. Spokane Art School's adult classes, like painting from a photograph and figure drawing, run around $100. Zipcar, a car rental service with a branch at Gonzaga, offers annual memberships starting at $60 for people who only need a car every now and then. $8-126 • Start with: The Bartlett, Knitting Factory, The Civic, Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, Bing Crosby Theater, Magic Lantern, Spokane Shock, Spokane Chiefs, Spokane Indians, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane Art School, Zipcar
MANNERS ROASTING COFFEE
Consumable gifts are almost always a win here. They're not permanent, and if you do it right, you'll give something that rises above the traditional fudge or fruit basket. Think Pleasant Blends tea, Bruttles peanut brittle or treats from Coeur d'Alene Chocolates. We recommend a blend from Manners, a new local small-batch coffee roaster with a focus on quality beans and beautiful minimalist product design. $15-18 • Coeur Coffee • 701 N. Monroe
A.K.A. CHARLES ABBOTT KINDLE SINGLE
Of course it's not just minimalists eschewing old-fashioned books for e-books. But now, they're becoming a way to support local authors. Full-length books from Sherman Alexie, Shawn Vestal and Jess Walter are all available in Kindle form (readable on a Kindle device or the Kindle web app). We suggest starting with a brand new single from Vestal about his criminal father: A.K.A. Charles Abbott. $1.99 • amazon.com
UMBRA INVISIBLE BOOKSHELF
Then again, for the real books they already have, we're betting these shelves are as minimal as it gets. With two quick screws in the wall and a few books on top, these shelves vanish to make way for the beauty of books. They're clean, modern and let the owner show off how well-read they are without a clunky bookshelf in the way. $15 • Wojo Works • 824 W. Sprague ♦
