Don't want baby gifts? Steal these phrases.

ALL WE WANT IS MORE (SPACE)

Congratulations, minimalist parent! You already know how much minimalism improves your life, and you're excited to pass your values along to your new little earthling.

There's just one problem...

Your family doesn't get it. You don't want to hurt their feelings, but you really really need them to understand that the last thing you want is more stuff cluttering your space. And especially not baby stuff that is going to be unnecessary (and hard to get rid of) within a year!

HERE ARE SOME PHRASES YOU CAN USE TO LET YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS KNOW YOU DON'T WANT BABY GIFTS

(that you can copy + paste)

In your PREGNANCY announcement

"We've been thinking a lot about the kind of home we want to create for our family, and we've decided to keep things simple and clutter-free. We welcome your support and ideas, and we're happy to chat more about our minimalist lifestyle. We will keep you posted with our baby registry, stay tuned!"

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

"We're so excited to share that our family is growing! As we prepare for our new arrival, we're focusing on creating a minimalist and intentional home. We welcome your warm wishes, and we ask that you celebrate us with your presence, not presents!"

IN PERSON

"We're so excited! Please don't worry about getting any gifts or anything--you know we like to keep it simple around here. And we would so much rather spend time with you while we're still flexible!"

IN YOUR BABY SHOWER INVITATION

"We're so grateful to have such a loving and supportive community as we prepare to become parents. We're mindful of the impact our choices have on the environment. That's why we've chosen a minimalist approach to our baby registry. We're prioritizing quality over quantity and focusing on items that will truly add value to our lives as a family. We appreciate your understanding and support as we embark on this journey."

WHAT TO DO IF THEY STILL BUY GIFTS

It's inevitable--some people can't stand the thought of showing up empty-handed. Some think that surely their great taste makes them an exception to the rule.

Thank them, of course, but have a plan. Find a women's and children's shelter near you and give them a call--usually (but not always, so definitely check) they welcome new, unused baby gear and accessories. This way, if your loved one asks how you liked their gift, they won't be too hurt when you tell them that it went to a great cause.

Alternately you can find a Mutual Aid network in your area, where you can directly assist another family in your own community. The most important thing is that you have a plan in place ahead of the shower so that you'll have a fresh start once baby arrives.

Here's what you can say if your loved one asks:

"We appreciated your thoughtful gift so much, thank you! It turned out we didn't think we would use it as much as someone else, so we gifted it to some neighbors in need."

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