Ahhhh, the gift of an experience! Doesn’t add any clutter to your home and gives the recipient the chance to enjoy a day of fun at their leisure. Can I get a “Cue the Confetti” for that?! A little louder for the people in the back, please!

Putting together our annual gift guide is always a treat - it is a fabulous way to share some of the local innovators, makers and creators who are doing super cool things in Indy. So buckle up and show these local businesses some holiday love!

FOR THE ONE BEHIND THE CAMERA | The Annual Heirloom Album Course by Maura Malloy | For those of us whose digital photos are completely overwhelming, enter The Annual Heirloom Album. In this digital course, Maura teaches you systems to organize your digital photography once and for all, then create a simple, stylish album a year that will tell the story of your family's life for generations to come. $99 (Storage plans and photo album publishing not included). Register here.

FOR THE COCKTAIL CRAZED | MIXO | Launched in 2021, Mixo brings the craft cocktail experience to the comfort of your home. So grab your buddies (a min of 6, max of 10 people) and schedule a date to get in the holiday spirit, or relish in the fact that we are just about to enter a new year. $50/person, Book Here.

FOR THE ONE INTO SUSTAINABLE FASHION | Everewear Style Box Subscription | Three of our favorite things are colliding with this new subscription service based in Indianapolis: fashion, sustainability and convenience. Treat yourself or one you love to a month (or year) of Everewear (pronounced Every-Wear). Founder, Anna Dorris, will pull together a box of secondhand clothing based on your style profile. Keep what you love, send back what you don’t. $15/Styling Fee + Cost of Items You Choose to Keep. Complete Your Style Profile Here.

FOR THE ONE NEEDING A HUG | Send a Friend Lasagna | Lasagna is my go-to for those moments when someone needs a HUG in the form of ooey, gooey lasagna. Founded by Stephanie Eppich Daily, Send a Friend Lasagna does just that. Order a flight of lasagnas to gift to a friend and then add a second flight to store in your fridge for those evenings when you just can’t muster cooking. I highly recommend the seasonal Butternut Squash and Chicken. $27 - $46, plus delivery.

FOR THE BUSY ONE | MySherri | This is the ultimate gift for the busy gal in your life (which can absolutely mean YOU). MySherri is essentially a house manager for those needing assistance a few days a week. To help ease the stress of the holiday season, they are offering their Welcome Home Package for just $399. Tell me more, you say? The Welcome Home Package is a dinner for six prepped on-site in your home (groceries included), a tidy kitchen, table set with flowers and candles and the ABILITY TO ACTUALLY ENJOY your guests. Book Here.

FOR THE ONE WANTING A SIGNATURE STYLE | StyleRiot | Doling out a ton of fashion inspiration, Laura Walters, will help you look and feel your best. Whether you work with Laura to figure out your uniform for 2022, pack for an upcoming tropical vacation or completely revamp your look, you are guaranteed to have an absolute blast. Mention “The Baer Minimalist” for 10% off the Define Your Style and RIOT VIP Packages. And show her some love by subscribing to her monthly newsletter (it is a gift, in and of itself)…plus, you’ll see a dose of TBM each month with a closet/wardrobe organizing tip or two.

FOR THE CONNECTOR | Indy Maven Membership | You all know my obsession with Indy Maven. It has provided a community for me and so many others through the midst of a global pandemic and continues to rise up with fabulous content in their weekly newsletter, events that introduce members to new skills and experiences, and just an all-around wonderful space to connect. The ultimate gift for the girlfriends in your life. Save 10% on your annual membership ($99.99) with the code Maria10.

FOR THE ONE WHO NEEDS A TOUCH OF SPRING | Willow & Star Flowers | Take a trip to the Flower Bar at Willow & Star’s new Nora boutique. Work with Allyson Wells Podell to create a bouquet that will surprise and delight the ones closest to you, or gift one you love an in-studio workshop experience. Or, heck, just let Ally work her magic through a bouquet subscription delivered throughout the year. Arrangements start at $35, bouquet subscriptions start at $135.

FOR THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS | Old Major Market | For the meat lovers in your life, this is the ultimate gift (that you might even get to share). I imagine sending a DIY charcuterie board along the day after a party as the most welcome “you made it through the craziness of hosting” hostess gift of all. Their truffle snack sticks light up my world…;). Seriously, Santa, please fill my stocking with these. $45 - $115 for a charcuterie kit full of the necessities shipped to your home.

AND FINALLY, FOR THE GIVER | One of the most amazing ways you can honor someone you love this year is with a donation to a local organization they are passionate about. Giving Tuesday is around the corner and our donation guide can serve as a starter list of charities that would welcome your gift and put your dollars to amazing use right here in Indianapolis.

Past gift guides also highlight some fabulous companies: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

A few other past posts that are still oh so relevant during this year’s holiday season:

• The Baer Minimalist’s Party Prep Checklist (WORKSHEET)

• How to Wrap Gifts That Beg to Be Torn Into

• How in the Heck Do I Store My…Holiday Decor

• Hacking Your Way to a Chic + Organized Holiday Part 1 + Part 2 - These tips stemmed from a collaboration with Drapery Street and the Indiana Design Center.

The Baer Minimalist helps busy families create ORGANIZED + STYLIZED spaces throughout Indianapolis. This year, Maria’s Christmas wish list consists of a day…alone. ;)

To keep up to date with all of the tips, tricks and inspiration doled out, subscribe to our newsletter, The Minimal-List, here.