Confession Time
Okay, so here’s a thing I probably shouldn’t admit, but last year I gave my artsy cousin a Starbucks gift card. I KNOW. She paints like a Renaissance angel, and I gave her... caffeine credit. Look, I panicked, alright? I was surrounded by glitter glue and stress.
But this year? I'm turning it around. And you're coming with me.
Whether your bestie makes weird sock puppets or your sister is rewriting her third screenplay (again), I’ve got actual gift ideas that feel thoughtful and not like you ran into a CVS five minutes before dinner.
For the Makers and the Messy Ones
DIY Supply Kits That Don’t Suck
You know what no one tells you about being creative? Supplies are expensive, and half of them are trash.
Skip the flimsy, sad craft kits and go for:
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Watercolor starter kits with actual pigment (Winsor & Newton or bust).
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Candle-making sets that don’t smell like headache.
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Wood-burning kits — just maybe include a note that says "Don’t burn the house down."
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aZenera Embroidery Kit — it’s got everything they need to dive into stitching without feeling like they need a degree in textile arts. Plus, the designs are actually cool. Not your grandma’s kittens-in-a-basket vibes.
I got my friend Claire one of those make-your-own-succulent arrangements and she made a haunted terrarium. It was... weirdly beautiful.
Paint, Clay, and Chaos
Don’t underestimate the power of giving someone permission to make a mess. A big ole box of air-dry clay? Yes. Acrylics that ruin your jeans? Double yes.
Bonus if it includes:
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A giant tarp (for the floor, obviously)
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A smock that looks like a lab coat
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Zero judgment
For the Notebook Hoarders
Journals That Make You Want to Write
Some people buy notebooks. Others collect them like they’re hoarding spells. I’m the latter. Get them:
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A handmade leather journal from Etsy
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One of those weirdly niche gratitude logs with prompts like "What would your cat say about you today?"
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Anything with gold foil, weird paper, or texture (ugh, paper people get it)
Pens That Feel Like Butter
I once spent $18 on a single pen. Was it worth it? Absolutely. (It writes like a dream wrapped in velvet.)
You can't go wrong with:
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Muji gel pens
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Lamy fountain pens (if you’re feelin' fancy)
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Or the classic: Pilot G2s (cheap but elite)
For the Digital Daydreamers
Apps That Spark Creativity (and Eat Hours of Your Life)
Some people knit. Others fall down the rabbit hole of Procreate or Notion templates for worldbuilding.
Get them a gift card for:
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Procreate brushes (you can buy sets online!)
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A premium subscription to Canva, Skillshare, or Obsidian Sync
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Or just send them an email titled "Open This When You're Bored and Brilliant."
Courses That Actually Teach You Something
Your friend who keeps saying they’ll "learn animation one day"? Enable them.
Try:
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Domestika classes (they're like $12 and taught by cool weirdos)
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MasterClass (because yes, we all want to be taught writing by Neil Gaiman)
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An Adobe subscription if you're rich and generous (or both?)
For the Burnt-Out Geniuses
Gifts That Feel Like Permission to Chill
Look, creativity is a full-body sport. Sometimes you need to give your brain a juice box and tell it to sit down.
Get them:
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A cozy weighted blanket (yes, even if they already have one)
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A lavender neck wrap that smells like a fancy spa
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A "Do Nothing" book (it exists, and it's delightful)
Or just a handwritten note that says, "Hey, you're allowed to rest. Your ideas will wait."
Slight Overshare
Last year, I wrapped my gifts in brown paper and drew on every single one with Sharpie art. It took six hours. My back hurts. My cat stepped in ink. But you know what? People noticed.
That’s the thing about creative people. They see the effort. They feel the intention. And honestly, they deserve a gift that says, "I get you."
So, which one are you getting? Or did you panic and just order socks again? (No shame. Okay, maybe a little shame.)
