Have you ever dreaded a holiday or birthday because you don't want to contribute to someone else's clutter? Here are 10 great ways to simplify, create less clutter, save money, and still give great gifts people will love.

1. Give a unique skill you have to offer. For example, I know how to make websites, and am a pretty good photographer. So for the 70th birthday party of a very special lady I took over 250 digital photos. Then I made a website with all the best photos and emailed it to all the attendees. Before the party, I bought a small photo album that had pages with quotes and space to write on the left and photos on the right...it was under 10$. I brought the album with me and had all the attendees write a message on a page in the album. After the party, I inserted pictures of people where they had signed. The gift was priceless. She loved it!
2. For a relative who doesn't see your children often, gather up a collection of their best artwork, scan it into the computer and make a PowerPoint presentation, slideshow, or put it on a public website like Flickr.com. You could also make a little booklet and mail it to them, but then that could become clutter.
3. Give a gift certificate for something you know they've been wanting to do. Like a balloon ride, or a trip to a gaming / entertainment complex like Dave & Busters.
4. Volunteer to babysit for free. Combine this with a gift certificate to the movies, or a dinner out and you've got a gift any busy mom will LOVE.
5. Give a donation to a favorite charity. This is especially appropriate as a gift for someone who has everything and is getting older and really doesn't need anything or already has everything! Just make sure it's to their favorite charity, not yours.
6. Give a coupon for a trip to a Museum and lunch or dinner out. Or perhaps a daytrip to a nearby city, or a picnic in a favorite park! Again, make sure it's something they really like to do and that you will go with them.
7. Give a gift certificate to get a massage. Take the time to find out who their favorite massage therapist is. Few people want to go to someone they don't know if they didn't choose.
8. Make a favorite dinner or desert for a friend or family and deliver it to them.
9. If you are good at organizing, and you know they've been wanting help, give someone a day of your time to help them get organized - like cleaning out a closet or a garage.
10. Make a plant with cuttings from your favorite plant for someone who has admired your plants.

2006 Ariane Benefit, Neat Living (TM)