Gift Guide for Creatives!

As much joy as the Holiday Season brings I know it can also be very stressful for many people. While coming together with family is the best part, leading up to all the events can sometimes feel overwhelming and chaotic. Trying to balance travel, gift ideas, managing the budget, and a menu adds a lot of pressure on ourselves! I would love nothing more than to come pluck that pressure off all who feel it, but the best I can probably do is share this entry with you and try to help navigate the gift giving portion!

Some people find shopping very stressful…unfortunately I did not get that gene. I can get overwhelmed in a super crowded store, but other than that I have myself a holly jolly time strolling through almost any type of store. Gift giving is definitely one of my love languages. All throughout the year I try to pay attention and take notes of things that people mention that they want or need. It has helped me make more meaningful purchases come this time of the year.

Even if you aren’t that tactical, good ideas can always come on the fly! So let’s talk about some fun options to get for the creative people in your life. The only footwork you may need to do is configure a list of things that these people already have.

The Painter:

I would go out on a ledge to speak for most of us who paint and say we don’t really discriminate against any art supplies. Getting into any kind of ‘art’ is good for our souls and keeps us excited for the work we are doing. If you know the medium the person usually likes that is great! You can get oils if you know they love to oil paint but it would also be really fun to get them watercolor, ink, acrylic, even gouache to nudge them to play a bit in something else.

As always, any kind of sketchbook or paper to capture this kind of creativity will be loved by the painter in your life. It’s something we can never have too many of!

• New Paint Palette

• Brushes and Jars

• Canvas, Sketchbooks, Watercolor Paper, ext..

• Various Sketching Materials; Pens, Pencils, Markers

The DIYer:

I will admit I am also a DIY girl through and through. When I see something I like my instincts turn into wondering how I can recreate it rather than how I can buy it. That being said, I have accumulated various DIY tools along the way. I have used them heavily in some seasons and lightly in others, regardless it has been great to grow my DIY tool box over the years because when you start a project you never know how useful something might be until you have it accessible!

Below are just some higher or median ticket items that every DIYer should have! Sometimes moving on to bigger projects doesn’t happen because of the cost of tools, so if these can be gifts I’m sure they will quickly get broken in with an exciting new project.

• Books on DIY / Carpentry

• Drill & Drill Bit Set

• Electric Sander

• Nice Level (Laser Style)

• Horse Legs

The Chef:

Cooking is one of my favorite ways to creatively reset and I’m glad this is so because creativity sure makes you hungry! I have heard many artists of various kinds find baking or cooking refreshing and as a counter outlet to their craft. As much as I love to play with recipes and create my own, I will say there is something so magical about baking sweets and bread.

Sourdough could be a big endeavor for someone who isn’t looking to take that on, but if they are willing, getting a starter kit could be a fantastic option! Simple baking supplies like a dough scraper, a bread knife, a nice sifter for flour, all elevate the experience of baking and cooking. Various bowls and storage containers could also be a fun add to this list, especially if you filled them with some of the recommendations below!

• Bread Making Supplies

• An Apron, Tea Towels & Hot Pads

• Dutch Oven

• Cast Iron Skillets / Pans

• Cooking Oils & Spices

The Crafter:

I imagine that anyone who falls into any of the categories listed here would also define themselves and a bit of a crafter. This category can also be a great fill in if you are looking to get a handful of things for this person or people. The items listed below can be used on various projects I see in a lot of these categories.

A general crafter might be the person in your life that makes gifts for people or events going on with the friend group or family. They probably already have a lot of tools on hand and are willing to take on and use more tools to enhance their crafting experience and end goal. The crafter might enjoy doing DIY home decor dupes from thrifted objects, to personalizing gifts for people on their own time. I imagine the list below being some of the core items used, as an experienced crafter myself. Make a fun craft basket for someone you love and I guarantee you they will find themselves loads of projects and fun for the year.

• Card Stock

• Laminator & Paper Cutter

• Ribbon, Yarn, Fabric

• Hot Glue Gun & Staple Gun

• Acrylic Paint / Spray Paint

• Cricut

The Sewer:

Guilty of having a sewing machine that I have not learned how to use. Sad, and true, I hope this changes in the upcoming year. I LOVE the idea of sewing. The things that can be made from start to finish are so inspiring to me! Getting my hands on fabrics and creating something in a whole new way - or reinventing something that has been thrifted. It is like flipping furniture but flipping clothes. One day…

As I dream about becoming a master sewer I could see the list compiled below being helpful to one that does, as these things could always be needed in a pinch! If I were shopping I would do a mixture of bright, funky and colorful patterns with more muted and neutral colors and textures for fun options to be available to them at all times.

• Pretty High Quality Fabrics

• Patterns

• Needles, Zippers, Buttons & Thread

• Gift Card to Have Sewing Machine Serviced

The Scrap Booker:

The scrap booker is going to be pretty sentimental and possibly adventurous! Obviously they are going to love having moments and capturing those moments in a unique and special way. If you yourself are creative YOU could gift someone a beautiful scrapbook of a major event or trip that was recently taken. If you’re not so crafty but know someone would love to pick up this hobby, the supplies list below would be a great start.

There is so much you can do within a scrapbook, and getting all the supplies can sometimes be pricy so any of the items listed, even if they are going to their ‘extras’ stash, would be super helpful for them! Fill a basket with some beautiful paper, fun scissors or a paper cutter, glue, tape and more for a sweet and meaningful gift!

• New Scrap Book, Paper, Stickers & Extra Slips

• Camera w/ Film

• Extra Slips, Scissors & Washi Tape Set

• Flair Pens & Markers

These are some great starting point to help you find the perfect gift for the creative people in your life! Always remember that thought does count and when you go the route of getting someone something you know they have interest in it shows that you pay attention to them and that goes much farther than you might think! A sweet heartfelt card could go just as far as a gift, or something homemade to someone who usually is the gift maker will be more appreciated than you could probably imagine.

Last of all remember, Christmas isn’t about giving or receiving. It’s about spending time together and celebrating the life of Jesus.

Cheers to the Holidays!