This holiday season, we’ve found the gifts that feel great to get and even better to give. Shop Well-Received, our collection of editor-approved holiday gift guides, here.
Shopping for the avid DIYers in your life? You’re in the right place. Whether your loved one’s mad about pottery, knits around anything that sits still long enough, or hasn’t been able to stop making friendship bracelets post-Eras Tour, they’ll be thrilled to unwrap one of these arts and crafts gifts.
Take it from me: I’m that crafty friend who declares, “I can make that,” about 50 times when shopping. So, I’ve pulled together 25 gifts for DIYers guaranteed to make you very popular this holiday season. For the beginners and craft-curious, there are handy all-in-one kits; for the veterans on a first-name basis at their local art store, there’s fancy-schmancy crafting tech. Plus, handy-dandy storage solutions (a vital part of the crafting process that gets overlooked, in my opinion). Read on to get inspired this holiday season.
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Truly, I don’t think I’ve experienced more joy than when I’ve crafted with one of these air-dry kits. So much fun, in fact, that last holiday season, I bought a kit each for my mom, my sister, and my best friend. I just love that you get everything you need in one place with plenty of instruction, but total freedom to create whatever you want. (I still use my lovingly crafted candle stick holder all the time, even if it is a bit wonky.) This, plus a bottle of wine, makes for a fun, messy girls’ night in.
Pott’d Home Pottery Kit, $, available at Pott’d
Martina Calvi is the patron saint of the junk journal resurgence. The founder of Martina’s Tiny Store and self-proclaimed “sentimental crafty girl” has amassed over 300k followers on Instagram and 100k on TikTok with her scrapbooking videos, zine tutorials, gifting guides, trinket hauls, “Snail Mail Swap” project, and sticker collections.
Now, she’s written all about her experiences collecting, curating, and crafting with memories — and the result is a great gift idea for anyone with an old shoebox stuffed with mementoes or who already loves writing a diary, especially as Calvi shares plenty of techniques and inspiration. An extra special touch would be to put this together in a junk journal bundle, with a good quality notebook (I like this one from LEUCHTTURM1917), one of Calvi’s best-selling sticker sheets, a glue stick, and a pack of quality color pens to get them started.
Martina Calvi The Art of Memory Collecting, $, available at Amazon
The painters in your life will love you for this one: an easily washable ceramic palette with space to mix colors, plus a handy water cup that will also hold their paintbrush. Both are monogrammed, too, to make it extra special.
JeanetteZeis Monogrammed Palette & Paint Water Cup, $, available at Etsy
Every year, I’ve declared, “This is the winter I learn to knit!” And, every year, I’ve not done so. I get overwhelmed and confused by online tutorials, all the materials I need, by all the patterns (likewise, the constant need to pause said videos as I catch up). This year, I treated myself to one of Wool & The Gang’s handy beginner kits — there’s so much choice for projects, from sweaters and cardigans to scarves and blankets, and the instructions are super clear and easy to follow, and you don’t have to worry about choosing the wrong yarn or needle; Everything you need for this one piece comes in one handy package. And, best of all, you can go at your own pace.
Wool and the Gang Audrey Sweater, $, available at Wool and the Gang
These pens are best-sellers for many reasons — they’re vibrant and pigmented, easy to use (with broad and fine tips), packed beautifully (this case keeps everything super organized), and very reasonably priced. A must for any fans of coloring books, the set also comes with a page to put behind thin paper, to stop any bleed-through.
Tongfushop 80 Colors Alcohol Markers, $, available at Amazon
If their faves folder on Instagram is packed with cool jewelry brands, they’ll delight in the opportunity to make and fire their own sparkling gemstone rings at home. This kit has everything they could need, from the silver clay and an array of heat-resistant stones to, ring sizers, an agate knife, a clay sculpting knife, and more. If you’re buying for a bestie, partner or family member who you want to craft with, FunkyFunYou also offers a Double Dazzling Ring Kit, $73 with double the amount of clay so you can create matching rings.
FunkyFunYou Dazzling DIY Silver Kit, $, available at FunkyFunYou
This was given to me recently, and it has changed the game. I no longer have to hunch over my crafts while working on the sofa or in bed (I like to embroider in front of the TV), but can sit up properly and save my poor back. This would also be a great gift for any crafters who don’t have access to a big table or desk, like those in shared homes.
Pipishell C Shaped End Table, $, available at Amazon
A yarn bowl is a must for knitters and crocheters, and it doesn’t have to be boring. Spice up their craft time with a fun, handmade bowl that fits their vibe. Alfiggery has so many to choose from, from the cute to the comical. My other top picks are this sweet cherry bowl, this spiny toad bowl (the yarn looks like a tongue!), or this adorable highland cow.
Alfiggery Small Amanita Mushroom Crochet Yarn Bowl, $, available at Etsy
Stop rogue paint spills or baking mishaps from staining their clothes with this sturdy apron. It has three deep pockets for storing their phone, tools or hands. (If I was giving this, I would spruce it up with some fun pins or badges — Etsy’s my go-to for fun, themed ones.)
Lucy & Yak Ada – Denim Apron in Mid Wash Blue, $, available at Lucy & Yak
This sturdy, do-it-all bag is designed specifically for crafters. It’s made out of a thick canvas and equipped with over 30 pockets of varying sizes for all your tools, a reinforced bottom for structure, and a padded handle for comfort. Basically, everything they need to cart their essentials from the pottery studio, workshop, or art room and home. (There are also 15 other colorways to choose from, fyi.)
SoollaForArtists Sangria Soolla Studio Tool Bag, $, available at Etsy
In my mind, arts and crafts lovers are also bookworms, and what would both love? The chance to personalize their book collection, of course. (We’re big on the customization in this community.)
PickledStamps Custom Cat Book Embosser, $, available at Etsy
The chance to select and print out your favorite pictures from your phone, and to save those mementoes as polaroids? That’s catnip to nostalgic AF junk journalers.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Blue Printer Bundle, $, available at Amazon
In-bed or couch crafters will certainly appreciate a supportive pillow.
Room Essentials Faux Fur Support Pillow, $, available at Target
I lusted over this bad boy for so long until my long-suffering family surprised me with it last year. I love it: I can make my own vinyl-print T-shirts and tote bags, which also make great gifts for other people and cheap-er fan merch for concerts.
If you’re thinking about gifting a Cricut machine this holiday season, I would suggest a bundle like this, which comes with 30 images of digital content, a black permanent vinyl roll, a roll of transfer tape, three StandardGrip Machine Mats, and a five-piece tool kit. This allows them to use the machine immediately to work out what they want to focus on (which is also cost-effective when compared to the individual costs of all the extras). My top tip for Cricut newbies: Follow the tutorial projects to know how best to use your machine before you delve into your own ideas.
Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine – Vinyl Starter Bundle, $, available at Amazon
Toolboxes don’t just have to be for tools — they’re also a great way to store and carry all the odds and ends needed for crafts, from long-handled paint brushes to knitting needles, crochet hooks to glue gun cartridges.
Not Another Bill Y350 Toolbox, $, available at Not Another Bill
Laine is a lifestyle and knitting magazine packed with patterns, which your giftee can return to again and again for inspiration. (The most recent issue has 11 alone!) It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Laine Publishing Laine Subscription (4 Issues), $, available at Laine Publishing
I just spent six months beading a dress for my Eras Tour shows (yes, the friendship bracelets weren’t enough work for me to do), and this desk lamp was a savior, helping my poor eyes focus on detail work late at night.
JKSWT LED Desk Lamp, $, available at Amazon
Not only is this needle minder adorable to look at, but it’s also super helpful — it’s magnetic, meaning that you can attach your embroidery needle when you’re not using it. Take it from me, it’s a must-have, as someone who has accidentally dropped their needles into thick pile carpet on way too many occasions.
CuteLittleHoop Sewing Machine Needle Minder, $, available at Etsy
Not everyone has the space for their own craft room. With this, your giftee can keep their supplies neatly organized and roll them from room to room with ease.
Yociyoga 4-Tier Rolling Cart With Wheels, $, available at Amazon
Prolific or not, artists at every level will love this small, travel-friendly watercolor kit that’s surprisingly robust. I have one myself and have dropped it twice on hard surfaces with no damage — though, I do recommend gluing down the paints if you are traveling a lot.
Windsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, $, available at Amazon
This bright, bold, and fun embroidery kit is a good introduction to the world of crafts, allowing them to immerse themselves in the art form. (The brand describes it as being for “ambitious beginners”.)
Hook Line & Tinker Sardines Embroidery Kit, $, available at Hook Line & Tinker
These fine-tipped scissors are a cut above the rest (I’ll show myself out)… Puns aside, a pair of novelty embroidery shears are a great budget-friendly, stocking-sized gift for avid sewers. As an embroiderer, I know my scissors are some of my most-used tools, so I would really appreciate a fresh, sharp pair that also looks great when left out on my desk.
Singer 4″ Rainbow Unicorn Embroidery Scissor – Spectrum Coated, $, available at Joann
This junk journal has everything: pages from vintage books, pages that have been tea-dyed, pages that have been printed, stickers, assorted lace and ribbons, pearls and gems, washi tape… Pretty much everything you need to start scrapbooking.
TheCottagePaperShop 200 Piece Junk Journal Kit, $, available at Etsy
For many of us, tie-dye is one of the first crafts we did as children, so this is a sweet, nostalgic gift for anyone in your life at any artistic level. It also makes for another great group activity.
Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit, $, available at Amazon
Storage boxes like these are amazing for small bits and bobs, especially for sewers, who need to manage collections of sequins, beads, buttons, bobbins, and pins.
Mathtoxyz Bead Organiser Storage Box, $, available at Amazon
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
18 Practical & Useful Gifts To Give This Holiday
23 Unique Advent Calendars We’re Gifting This Year
26 Unique Gifts That Your Mom Will Actually Love
This article was originally published on refinery29.com.
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