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1. A David-inspired vase, a stylish storage holder for paintbrushes, pens, and more. Because nothing gives inspiration as much as staring at Michelangelo's David.
My aesthetic very much is overly cute things and classical art, so when someone sent me a link to this vase of Michelangelo's David, I knew I had to have it. While it is technically a vase, I personally kill every plant that enters my place, so instead I use it as a paintbrush holder, and it is perfect! Since it is made out of resin, it is substantial enough to hold the paint brushes without tipping over while not being overly heavy. It is a good height and just fun to look at while I'm painting.
I think it could also be great at holding makeup brushes and could neatly fit in the corner of a bathroom counter without taking up too much room. The detailing is amazing. I am definitely going to get a second one to be a pen holder.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $16.97.
2. A Pusheen positivity journal filled with pawesome prompts and questions to help them reflect on their life and celebrate the good things in it.
"I just got this and am so happy I did! It's got a high-quality cover and 50 prompts, like spots to journal favorite memories and make lists of things you love, plus lots of blank pages and delightful Pusheen illustrations (including tag-yourself-style 'Which Pusheen are you' pages). This is way cuter and simpler than most daily gratitude journals; you can just fill it out a bit at a time when you need a pick-me-up rather than committing to every day (I already have a One Line A Day journal, so this won't replace that). The prompts make you think about simple pleasures in your life you may otherwise take for granted, like memories with your friends, favorite snacks, and the best things about each season of the year. As someone who owns and has seen a lot of Pusheen products, it was also a thrill that lots of the squeeworthy illustrations were new to me! I'm not exactly sure what I'll use all the blank grid pages for, but they'd be great for lists and doodles." —Katy Herman
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $13.46.
3. A set of personalized name crayons that are almost too precious to use — almost.
Art2TheExtreme is a woman-owned small business in Noblesville, Indiana. They have been creating personalized rainbow crayons and gift sets since 2007.
OMG, so I bought these for myself and LOVE them. They are so cute and super reasonably priced. They come in this adorable box, in which the seller also stamps your name on it. The crayons are melted down and mixed randomly, so it gives this lovely rainbow effect when you use them. Or you can be like me and keep them on your art desk as a form of decor. I think this is great for any artists or those who like unique gifts. Totally plan to buy a set for my friend's kid who is super into art.
Shipping info: (Free!) Shipping can take up 10 days to accommodate the increase in orders; expedited shipping options are available at additional cost.
Get if from Art2TheExtreme on Etsy for $19.95+.
4. An Art of Coloring: Poster Art of the Disney Parks with 36 postcards of Disneyland attractions, that they can color and paint before sending to their favorite Disney lovers, because there's something lovely about receiving postcards still.
"You can also grab markers, crayons, or colored pencils here — pick your poison 😉. I have this set and love that the 'pages' to color are actual postcards so they're easy to complete in a short amount of time. I'm pregnant and avoiding most people right now (yay, germs!) so I can't wait to color some of these and send 'em out to my friends for fun." —Heather Braga
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $11.69.
5. A HP Sprocket, an instant photo printer that allows your favorite creative to take photos on their phone and print them out. Because sometimes it's hard to sell commissions of pieces they worked so hard on, but at least having a photo of it makes it a little easier.
If they're like me, they're always taking photos "as references" and soon their camera roll is filled with TONS of pics random flowers and sunsets. So I got this to help me print out my reference and keep them contained in a box, so I have room on my phone to photograph the truly important things, like my dog sleeping. It is really simple to use. Just load it with the photo paper, connect your phone to the printer, and hit print. The photo takes about 30 seconds to print. Also, the photo paper is actually sticker paper, which is great for me when I am trying to add a photo to my adventure journal. The starter bundle also comes with a photo album and frames, so you can display all your photos.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get if from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in four colors and three sets).
6. A Create This Book 2, a fun activity book complete with 100 prompts to unleash their imagination and produce fun art with no barriers.
Moriah Elizabeth is an artist on TikTok and YouTube. Her videos are filled with fun arts and craft ideas.
I bought this book when I was getting into a creativity rut. It really helped! None of the prompts are particularly difficult but it does help you get out of your own head and just create. Some of the pages I have even recreated into bigger pieces. There are 100 prompts ranging from filling a page with your favorite lyrics to creating a new color. You can use a wide range of mediums including pens, charcoal, and even paint pens. When I finish this one, I plan to buy another one to do a 100 prompts in 100 minutes challenge like Chloe Rose Art and Sarah Ranae Clark. This is fun; you can do this by yourself or with others!
Check out a TikTok of the Create This Book 2 page being designed and colored by Moriah.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
7. Or an adventurous 642 Things To Draw, for those who are suffering from the dreaded art block.
"I was curious if using this booklet to ease my thoughts would help, and I'm sharing it here now because I'm thrilled by how much it did! When I'm overthinking or stressing about things I have no control over, I'll set a goal; like finishing three pages or drawing an extra detailed sketch. Being told exactly what to do (with no limits to my own creativity) is equal parts soothing and satisfying. I highly recommend this!" —Mal Mower
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $13.26.
8. A pack of 48 Ohuhu brush tips alcohol-based markers that are not only affordable but are also high quality! Seriously, they perform almost as well as a certain name brand, for a fraction of the cost. There's no wonder so many professional artists have begun to use them.
Quality alcohol markers are expensive. The best alcohol marker brand costs $7 a marker. And if you're like me, you don't want to waste that pricey marker ink for silly sketches. So people are always attempting to find similar marker that work well but don't cost as much. Enter Ohuhu. It's actually funny. The first time someone mentioned them to me years ago, I didn't like them. But then they changed their formula and basically blew it out of the park. They don't sputter out ink and the colors are sooo saturated. They blend smooth like butter and have a wide variety of colors. Whenever someone comes to me and says, "I want to start using alcohol markers but can't afford a certain brand" I point them to Ohuhu. I find them comparable to Spectrum Noir markers (who will always have a special place in my heart because they were the first set of alcohol markers I bought myself) but are good for artists of all skill type. But also they are so affordable compared to the other top alcohol marker brands. Honestly, I've done so many videos on my TikTok comparing them to other markers and sometimes viewers can't even tell which side was done by Ohuhu markers and which side is done by the name brand markers. While I do have a ton of alcohol markers from a bunch of brands, I am afraid to count exactly how many Ohuhu I have, but if I had to guess, it's probably close to 400 (I have an obsession.) Unfortunately don't still don't have replaceable nibs, meaning that you have to replace the marker every time it runs out. They are my every day marker, for sure. They may not be perfect but they are pretty darn close.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Ohuhu or Amazon for $39.99+ (come in various sizes and sets.)
9. A drawing tablet, to enhance their digital art experience and help them produce awe inspiring pieces that will make others ask "you made this?"
I have had this tablet for a few years and it has been great. It was very easy to install on my computer and set up. This digital tablet almost become a second monitor for you while you're drawing, allowing you to see what you're doing, while looking at your hand at the same time. Since I don't do digital art as much as other forms of art, I appreciate the lower price tag than buying a Wacom. It is great for those who are just dabbling in digital art or don't want to spent a lot on a tablet. It comes with eight replaceable nibs and you can program express keys! Also, it has a built in anti-glare screen, which any digital artist will tell you is normally such a hassle buying. The pen is battery free, so no more digging through drawers trying to find a spare AAA. I have only used it to draw on Clip Studio Paint and Adobe Illustrator, but it works perfectly with both of those programs.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $159.99.
10. An electric standing desk that will allow them to create standing up or sitting down because artist neck is a real thing.
"I've been using the FlexiSpot Comhar EG8 standing desk for well over a year now, and I really can't recommend it enough if you're ready to invest in a high-quality standing desk. I have the white desk with a glass top, and it looks super modern and elegant in my living room. There's a thin drawer in the front — you won't be storing anything super thick in there, but it's great for putting papers, Post-its, and other small items out of the way.
The actual standing desk feature works like a charm — since it's just me using this desk, I only use two of the four height presets: one for my sitting position, and one for my standing position. An anti-collision feature is also built in, meaning the desk will stop moving if it detects an obstacle in its way. I've found this feature can be a little hit or miss, so it's best to keep the area clear and just be attentive as it moves up and down. The child lock is *particularly* handy — I don't have kids around, but it's easy to bump into the control panel and accidentally activate the desk if you don't have this lock turned on." —Jenae Sitzes
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $399.99+ (available in four colors and two material types).
11. A heat gun for the painter that's absolutely IMPATIENT when it comes to waiting for each layer of their painting to dry.
Painting is great! Until you have to wait for the paint to dry so you can add on top of a section. I had to get this after I constantly would say to myself, it's probably dry by now (it never was). This one is simple to use and heats up fast. You can control the temperature and air flow. It also has an overload catch, but I have never had to use it, because it dries my paintings so fast that I don't need to leave it on long. I have used it to dry paint on paper, canvas, and wood with no issues. Definitely helps me stop running paintings because I have yet grasp the skill of patience lol.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get from Amazon for $28.99.
12. A box top sewing pattern, perfect for sewers of all levels. It comes with easy to understand instructions without sacrificing their ability to add their own unique style.
All Well Workshop is a woman-owned small business from artists and collaborators Amy Bornman and Amelia Greenhall. This is a listing for a digital pattern that can be printed on standard paper at home, or on big paper at the print shop.
"My partner and I were recently gifted a sewing machine from his parents and, having never really sewed before but with too much time on my hands, I've started off on the journey of sewing my own clothes. The All Well box top was my second ever project and, reader, I loved every second of making it. The instructions are *much* clearer than the ones you get with patterns from big companies, but the best best best part is how customizable it is. All Well has managed to strike the balance of being very instructional while also giving you the tools you need to be extremely creative. Being new to sewing, I was dreading the potential years of being beholden to pattern instructions before I knew enough to flex my creativity, but this pattern gives beginners and experienced sewists alike the ability to make the garments their own. I love every garment I've made from this base.
The pattern comes with four base variations: the sleeveless box top, the long sleeve box top, the ruffle top, and the box dress. But these variations can be distinguished even further using the 'Hacking Guide' that's included with the pattern. The guide advises you how to make patch pockets, split hems, use color blocking, and so much more. So far I've made a sleeveless box top, a long-sleeve box top, and I'm almost done with a ruffle box dress in two-tone plaid color blocking — can't find that on the rack!" —Rachel Dunkel
Shipping Info: Instantaneous digital downloads!
Get it from All Well Workshop on Etsy for $14 (the pattern comes with in six sizes ranging in bust sizes from 32"–62").
13. An affordable ring light with a phone holder, so they can create art and film at the same time. I seriously use this way more than I ever thought I was gonna use it and have captured some beautiful shots of my art over the year.
I bought this holder for recording videos while doing art. It has made my life so much easier for sure, allowing me to clamp the holder to the side of the desk and lean over the bracket and light to be above my working area. There may be a small issue if you don't have a thick desk, it may wiggle some, but adding something like a piece of wood to maximize the clamp fixes this issue. Plus it's a lot more cost effective compared to similar holders. The light has various levels of brightness and three colors of light. I'm really happy with this.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $17.49.
14. A Folex stain remover, because trust me, art accidents happen all the time and I don't care what the internet says, baking soda and dish soap does not get acrylic paint out of the carpet.
When I say this is a game changer, I literally mean it. I am a painter and unfortunately very clumsy. So sometimes I accidentally knock my paint all over my carpet and have to figure out how to clean it up. I tried EVERYTHING I saw on the internet and nothing was getting it out. Then I happened to hear a coworker mention this cleaner so I tried it out. This is the first carpet cleaner that works and is easy to use. And definitely have used it many times since, including on my cozy sweater. Yes, I know I'm accident prone. Make sure to clean up the excess paint before spraying a little of the cleaner, and slowly blotting the stain until it lifts. No more stress.
"It works on both old and new stains (including red wine!), and on any color-safe fabric that you can safely wet with water. (Read: not dyed silk or wool, probs, or anything that says "dry clean only.") I recently used this on a mystery stain in the lining of an old purse and worked like a charm! I did end up spraying, agitating, then letting it dry twice before I got the whole stain out, but that had more to do with the various folds in this purse lining than the product, I think. The key is to use enough of the product, then to gently agitate it with your fingers — then stains really do vanish in front of your eyes." —Natalie Brown
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get a bottle on Amazon for $12.25.
15. An oil paint by number kit with a mini wooden easel, so they can display their finished art. This is the perfect relaxing activity to do on cold winter days.
I love paint by the numbers. They are just the perfect thing to do when you're trying to relax. I do so many and then just mail them to friends and family. This one uses oil paint and the numbers are super easy to see. It's definitely not something you can complete in a few hours, just because of the sheer size of it, but it can be a fun weekend activity (or in my case random nights over the span of a month). This comes with everything you need and honestly would make the perfect gift for anyone.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (comes in 13 styles).
16. An apron because most paints do NOT come out of clothing and after awhile it gets annoying replacing clothes because they all have acrylic paint in them.
Sometimes I see people paint in all white outfits and never get a drop of paint on them. I have decided that these people are actually magical beings. But for the rest of us, paint just finds a way to get on our clothes. I swear, sometimes I can just think about painting and suddenly a drop of paint will appear on my shirt. So now I use this apron to help limit the amount of paint on my clothing. And it works so well! It doesn't stopped random paint from being on my face, but hey, baby steps.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in two colors and four styles).
17. A vegan leather bullet journal from Scribbles That Matter, which can handle almost every art medium without bleeding through 30 pages. The experience allows them to take journalling to the next level, even if they only use it to keep organized.
I have been doing forms of bullet journaling my entire life, well before the term was coined. So I can confidently say I have tried a ton of bujo (bullet journal) brands. And while there are pros and cons to all of them, whenever anyone asks for a recommendation, I often say Scribbles That Matter. They have vegan leather covers, with cute designs in them. I love the fact that they have thick pages with each page being 160 gsm (grams per square meter,) which means you can do a lot of art in them. Trust me when I say I've used markers, colored pencils, paints and more in them without their bleeding through. In fact, I painted a fully Starry Night in one before with acrylic paint (see above) and you couldn't even tell on the next page because it just held so well. Plus I tend to be rough on a lot of bujos and this one is durable enough that pages don't start falling out, despite me constantly throwing them in my bags. It is on the more expensive side for bullet journals, but it definitely feels like the higher price tag is worth it. If you want to use more than ballpoint pen in your bullet journal, then you will have to then you need the more quality paper it offers.
There's two versions: the original ones that come with the white pages and the Starry Night collection that comes with the black pages. I have both and they both are great. They also have B5 sizes now, which I absolutely love, because bigger journals mean I can write more without fear of sacrificing space for photos and art that I want to include in each entry. Each come in this really nice box that you can decide whether or not you want to keep them in. So definitely this is great for any person that is interested in bullet journaling, whether they are a new or have been doing it for years.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get if from Amazon for $26.97+ (comes in several colors).
18. A Buddha Board, for those who are looking to be totally zen while painting without fear of making a mess. Seriously, all they need is water and they can let their creativity flow.
"I gifted this to my mom and it's been such a hit! All you have to do is fill the stand with water, dip the bamboo brush in, and start creating! It's surprisingly super soothing and is great because you don't have to think long and hard about what to draw since it disappears anyway! It's a great practice in the "art of letting go" and is honestly a lovely way to spend an hour unwinding." —Heather Braga
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $37.95.
19. A large pencil case that I promise can fit all the art supplies and writing instruments they need to create an amazing piece while on the go. Although it looks small, it's very much a TARDIS, bigger on the inside.
I got this for myself when I started doing art outside of my home. I wanted something that was big and roomy but also could fit in my purse with a small sketchbook. This pencil case is just that.
This case comes with a couple of pockets for your smaller items, as well as a spacious main compartment. The front unzips so you can stick pencils or pens into the loop easily.
Once, to test out how much I could fit in the at one time, I had about 15 pencils, an entire travel watercolor set, several erasers, and a multiple markers at the same time and it zipped and closed up perfectly fine. I actually think this could be a good travel makeup bag too.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 10 colors).
20. A pack of Sakura Gelly Roll, the colorful pens that will unlock their childhood because we all used to go wild for them as a kid.
A staple for many, I remember when I first saw someone with these in elementary school and then BEGGING my mother to buy me some that weekend. I was immediately smitten. The ink was so creamy and smooth. I love the fun colors that almost made the pages sparkle. Fast forward many, many years later and I am still using Sakura Gelly Roll pens as an adult. They come in over 70 colors and a variety of different sets. Now they may not be my favorite anymore, but they started my pen shopping addiction and hold a special place in my heart.
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $12.81 or the complete set from Dick Blick of 74 for $79.72.
21. A Daily Work Journal to help them organize their goals and accomplishments. Because it's very easy for them to get inside their own head and forget to celebrate their progress every month.
Daily Work Journal was founded by executive coach and entrepreneur Jessica Yen. It's a diary, organizer, planner, and tracker designed with your career goals in mind, so you can take notes, visualize plans, and write reflections.
“Daily Work Journal is an Asian and woman-created all-in-one planner, diary, and organizer to help you take control of your career. I recently tried this in order to get ready for my new job and it was hands down so helpful! The daily notes helped me keep all my thoughts and meeting notes all in one place, and the daily lookback helped me prioritize how much I got done and celebrate how much I was able to get done. The weekly planning helped me visualize what my week looked like and because of the graph-grid layout, I’m able to easily and aesthetically check off my tasks, especially when I need to do the task multiple times a day.
I’m very much a memory planner and love how it feels to reflect on my life, so the monthly reflection pages give me the opportunity to take some time for myself, be proud of my accomplishments, and figure out how to grow. The setting intentions page helped me focus on what exactly I want to grow in in both my career and personal health. If you’re looking for a journal to help track you and your career, this is the one for you!” —Brittney Trinh
Shipping info: Expedited 2–3 day shipping options are available at additional cost.
Get it from Daily Work Journal for $35.
22. A subscription to SketchBox, a monthly art box filled with quality art supplies that will make every month feel like they are receiving a present.
I absolute love art subscription boxes. I use them all, including Art Snacks, Upcrate, and Paletteful Packs. Yet, each box offer something different. Sketchbox I like because it offers a lot of supplies for illustrations. You can usually expect pens, markers, or even sometimes paints. Plus they always have a drawing pad in it. The value of the supplies is always more than the cost of the box itself. For example, the November 2022 box (pictured above) had a $52 value while the box only cost $35.
There are two subscription options: a basic box for $25 or the premium box for $35. The difference is the quality of the supplies. I also like that because in a smaller box, it gives me sketch pads that I can take on the go. A lot of art subscription boxes give the regular sized sketchbooks and you don't always want to use a whole sheet of paper. Plus I always love to view the artist they are highlighting every month.
Shipping Info: Boxes ship around the 25th of each month to arrive right around the 1st. Shipping takes around 5–8 days, depending on location.
Get a monthly subscription from SketchBox for $35 (also available in 3-, 6-, and 12-month subscriptions).
23. A plein air French easel that allows for art in the home or on the go. It's so easy to fold it up and take it with them, so that they can paint the beautiful scenery on their next vacation.
I got this as a Christmas gift from my parents last year and let me tell you, this is one of the best Christmas gift I've received. I absolutely love it. It allows me to work on a painting and not have to constantly move it off my desk because I have to work the next morning when I am nowhere near finished painting. It's not that big, it takes up a small section on my living room, and it is very sturdy, especially for a klutz like me, who sometimes trips over air into it. It was a little difficult to figure out the first time I took it out of the box, but I think that was just me not understanding how basic things work, lol. When you want to take it out, you just need to fold in the legs and it becomes a very lightweight box you can carry (there's a strap that comes with it). I have taken it out and painted near the river in my town once. I plan to take it on my birthday vacation next summer and paint Mount Fuji. The drawer can hold a lot of stuff. I will fill it with paints, brushes, rags, and posca pens all the time. It also has a locking mechanism, so you can keep your canvas in place as you paint. It's very easy to clean off dried paint, all you need to do is take some rubbing alcohol and a rag and gently wipe it. Plus I think the mahogany just make it look better.
Shipping info: Orders tend to leave the warehouse within in 48 hours and take 4–8 days to deliver.
Get it from Jerry Artarama for $94.99.
In the words of the great Bob Ross:
