The Baer Minimalist’s (Simplified) Holiday Gift Guide

Enjoy this guest blog post by Maria Baer, professional organizer and owner of The Baer Minimalist. Maria shares tips and gift ideas to simplify your gift-giving this holiday season.

Holiday shopping is bound to look different in the year of quarantine, both in the types of gifts you are drawn to purchasing and the way in which you shop. Supporting local and one-stop shopping destinations are top of mind for many of us, and what better location to achieve both of these criteria than the Indiana Design Center.

If you aren’t familiar with this one-stop-shopping destination, there are more than 15 showrooms and 20 affiliated design professionals that call the IDC home. You can find everything you need to build, remodel and redecorate your home in one location.

The entire first floor is open to the public (whereas the upper level showrooms sell direct to designers, with the exception of the gorgeous Aronstam Fine Jewelers showroom on floor two). But with design professionals on hand, you’ll easily be able to pull your space together, whether you are decorating for the holidays or kicking off a large scale remodel. Not to mention, knock out a little holiday gifting while you’re visiting.

With unique gift ideas ranging from stocking stuffers to mattresses you sink right into (the ultimate in self-care gifting, IMO), the IDC is ripe with options for everyone on your list.

So let’s get right down to it:

1. For the Minimalist

For the person on your list who doesn’t need a thing, think about an experience, like a floral arranging class with the talented team at Rusted Window. They are currently booking classes for small groups of friends/family from now through the holidays (priced per person), so grab your pals and get to arranging something gorgeous for your holiday tablescape.

2. For Your Best Friend

Plan a virtual happy hour and grab a tea cup for “wine,” “bourbon” or “vodka” from Holder Mattress ($11.95, Holder Mattress). The only thing that would make this gift even more fun to receive is a handcrafted Camp Craft Cocktail mix ($24, Rusted Window) accompanying it. They are as tasty as they are pretty!

Bonus: Did you know both shops offer curbside pick up and online ordering?

3. For the Homebody

Since we are bound to be indoors a bit more this winter, an anchor weighted blanket ($209.95 – $289.95, Holder Mattress) might crawl to the top of every homebody’s wish list. Ranging in both weight and size, these blankets are just the warm hug you need when you can’t be close to those you love. And bonus, lifting your weighted blanket is practically a workout. Win-win.

4. For Your Employees

If you’ve got a Zoom Holiday Party in the works, Rusted Window has the most thoughtfully curated gift boxes – a perfect pre-party surprise to arrive at your employee’s front door. Whether you run with a cocktail, self-care or Hoosier theme, you can either grab and go or create your own gift box to surprise and delight your valued team.

5. For the Babies in Your Life

Rusted Window knocked it out of the park with their latest collection of baby goods. With shelves organized by color, creating a gift box with sleepers, books (my personal fav is ABC’s of the 80’s, $15.95) and stuffed animals is a breeze. And if you’re short on time, pre-made gift boxes are wrapped and ready to walk out the door.

5. For that Special Someone

It’s no surprise that as The Baer Minimalist I believe wholeheartedly in using what you have and heirloom-quality goods that last. So if you have some family jewelry taking up space in your jewelry box that you may not wear but can also not part with, consider re-setting it into something new. Marc Aronstam from Aronstam Jewelers has been in the custom jewelry business over 50 years and is a master at re-envisioning and re-creating your most precious metals and stones. The necklaces below were created for two sisters using their grandmother’s diamonds (what a special and sentimental surprise!).

6. For the $50 and Under Crowd

Frasier Fir fragrance is back, and if you know, YOU KNOW. If you haven’t hopped on the fir train, there is no better scent around the holidays. With products ranging from candles, to hand wash to room spray, these are worthy of stocking up. Complete your gift with a cozy pair of mittens or adorable ornament from Holder Mattress and check another name (or seven) off your list.

When it comes to shopping in the season of quarantine, the Indiana Design Center makes it easy to WOW your nearest and dearest. – Maria, The Baer Minimalist