In most households, it’s the mom who is charged with organizing the space. She’s the one who has determined where things should live. But she’s also the one who mostly decides how long those things get to stay.

While decluttering isn’t always strictly done by the lady of the house, many times it is, and that right there has turned a whole bunch of us into women known as minimalist moms.

The Trend is Clear

These days, it’s pretty popular to downsize our junk and make more space for life, but the experts are quick to remind us that cleaning out a drawer isn’t the same as becoming minimal. Some, like Penny, who writes an award-winning frugality blog, are very resistant to being labeled. Others, like Joshua Becker, author of The More of Less, claim the title with great gusto.

Is Your Mom a Minimalist?

For some of us Over Fifty, the question of whether our moms are minimalists is clearly yes.

I helped my parents sell almost literally all their worldly goods last year when they moved into an independent living setting. My mom was already trying to sort through the photos and give away things, but it took a few months and some expert help to actually pare things down to where they needed to be. The transition itself was not an easy one; however, being more minimal is the thing she enjoys most about her new life in a new place.

There are Some Markers

Do you remember the hugely successful comedy of Jeff Foxworthy’s “You Might be a Redneck?” Well, you may not be from around here if you don’t, but I guess that’s not all bad.

Take this example. “If you own a home with four wheels on it and several cars without … that’s right. You might be a redneck.”

Some of us Texans really don’t mind the moniker if it fits, but the scary thing is if we laugh too hard, the description may be hitting pretty close to home. There’s a pretty thin line, you know, between laughing at Uncle Billy Bob – and remembering the old saying: It takes one to know one.

Rednecks and Minimalists

Here’s where it gets a little tricky.

True rednecks do not mind being called rednecks. In fact, they might be pretty dadgum proud of it. BUT, you should wait to be sure before you assume and start referring to them by that name.

Otherwise, you could git yerself in a heap o’ trouble.

Don’t Assume Nothin’

In the same way, don’t be callin’ Mama a minimalist if she hasn’t already declared herself to be one.

For instance, if your Mom has 82 pairs of shoes stacked all the way to her closet’s ceiling, don’t think she’s turnt minimal because she says she should take a few down to “the Goodwill.”

And just because she no longer keeps a bunch of food in the fridge, do not, under any circumstances, tell people your Mama is a minimalist. She minimally cooks. That’s diff’rnt.

(Uh-oh. I really might be a redneck.)

Here’s How to Know

If your mom is a minimalist, she, like all those crazy rednecks, is probably a little bit proud of it. You may already be painfully aware of where she stands on the issue of stuff, stuff and more stuff.

But if yer a little on the fence in yer reasonin’ and need some help decidin’, read on.

If your mom is a true blue minimalist, you’ll hear her saying stuff like this.

“Do not get me a bunch of stuff for Mother’s Day.”

“I don’t need anything.”

“Please don’t get me any more ______. “

“Get me something I can use up.”

“All I want for Mother’s Day is to spend time with you.”

Now That Yer Sure

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and you may already have picked out the perfect gift for your sweet mom.

If she’s still adding to a collection of dishes for the grandkids to inherit, she’ll surely appreciate your gift of another piece.

But if you sense that’s no longer her jam, consider giving her one of these 5 Mother’s Day Gifts for Minimalist Moms.

Now that yer sure and all.

1.  Candy from Ethel M

One of my coworkers brought a box of Ethel M Chocolates to the office to share. After I tasted one, I wondered why she hadn’t kept them all to herself! These are delicious, and your mom will love them. If you can’t be with your mom on Mother’s Day, send her a larger box that she can share with her friends.

2.  Magnetic Bookmarks by Bloom

From the company whose tagline is all about inspiration, these little magnetic bookmarks are a great gift for a minimalist mom. She won’t need to find anyplace to keep them, since they’ll always be at home on the pages of her books. Besides that, your mom will think of you every time she sits down to read. How sweet is that?

3.  A Fitbit to Track Her Steps

I may be one of the last people on the planet to get a Fitbit, and I sure am enjoying it. If your mom likes walking and keeping track of her progress, she’ll love challenging herself with a Fitbit. If she doesn’t already have one, that is.

4.  Jean Baptiste Bubble Bath

If there’s a more luxurious line of lotions and bubble baths, I’d love to try it. I first found this line in a pharmacy gift store (don’t they have amazing things?), and then I began to notice it at a few other places. Mmmm. This stuff is deliciousness for the bathtub, and your minimalist mom won’t have to worry one bit about using it up. She’ll only have to worry about making it last.

5.  Tickets to the Symphony

This idea comes from a friend whose mother loves the symphony. My friend’s mother has celebrated over 85 birthdays, but her circle of people who can go with her has dwindled in the last few years. When their mother declared that they no longer needed to get her tickets every year, an older brother wouldn’t hear of it. “We’re still going to buy your tickets, Mom,” he said, “and I’ll be there every month to take you.”

Photo courtesy sasymphony.org

All I can say is that you might NOT be a redneck if you have the cultural wherewithal to come up with that last Mother’s Day gift. That’s a walleyed doozy of an idear.

Wonder if Jeff Foxworthy has ever taken his Momma to the symphony?

Encouraging a life filled with everyday intentional adventure for you and your minimalist mom,

Other Mother’s Day posts you might enjoy:

An Elaborate Mother’s Day Picnic in LaGrange, Texas

How I Made it Through Mother’s Day Without the Kids

Mother’s Day Gifts for Every Kind of Mom