Should You Give a Gift Certificate for Professional Organizing?
"My mom desperately needs you. You can barely walk in the front door."
"My friend’s house is a disaster."
"My boss can never find anything and it’s driving everyone crazy."
“Do you sell gift certificates?”
These are just a few of the questions I regularly hear from people who want to gift my organizational design services (where I clear up the clutter and create a beautiful, functional space for your work or home.) Giving this gift is so thoughtful. It has minimal impact on the environment and can leave a profound and lasting effect on a person’s day to day life. However…
The last thing I ever want to do is work with someone who does not want - or is not ready - to work with me. Our spaces are very personal, and when it comes to change, we have to feel ready. Forcing this process on others (as well intentioned as it might be) can bring up feelings of shame, fear, and anxiety. They also might feel completely content with the way things are.
Because being in someone’s space to organize is such an intimate experience, I take great care in making sure that my clients feel comfortable and ready to work with me in a confidential, judgment-free way.
If you are interested in gifting organizing services, I’ve seen it done successfully through giving a session or series of sessions to tackle a specific job - with the permission of the client. A few examples:
Scheduling a session for a new mom or mom-to-be to set up the nursery. This can include styling the space with all of those sweet new baby things.
Organizing a single closet or pantry. Linen closets are often neglected and look so fantastic when they are tidied up. Right now pantries are overflowing with covid shopping back stock and many folks could use help getting them back in shape.
Assisting after a loss. A client I worked with was gifted a series of sessions from their co-workers after they suffered a loss in the family. They had been overwhelmed with boxes of the deceased's things and I helped them organize and store them, giving them more living space and the ability to deal with it later.
As an end-of-the-year present to a teacher or school. I have helped both a retiring teacher (who had been in the same classroom for 23 years!) as well as a school where several teachers just needed some help organizing their rooms before summer break.
A group of women from across the country hired me to help their newly divorced friend make her once shared walk-in closet a space that was all her own. This client shared that she felt emotionally stuck and was grateful for the outside support and motivation.
Helping with a photo album or photo curation for one school year, one special event, one trip, etc.
Making a move special. I had some lovely parents give their daughter a new apartment gift: a kitchen organization session with me. She was working long hours and was in tears when she saw that everything was unpacked and beautifully organized for her.
And of course, giving one to someone who has expressed a desire for it!
So, yes, I do sell my services as gifts - and can help make sure it's the perfect fit. :) Check out the link in my bio to get in touch and let’s chat about what you have in mind.
