We were all born creative, and what better time to celebrate that than the holiday season of 2020! A year full of stress, loss, change, isolation - inviting your friends and family BACK to a creative habit with a thoughtfully chosen gift may be just the thing they (and you) need to find or restart a joyful new hobby!
Below, a curated a list of my 3 Favorite Gifts to Give for Creativity- including books, art supplies, and (of course) original art. I return to these again and again to share my love of all things art + creativity with those I love the most.
Books
I love to gift books for most any occasion. To share my favorite recent reads, to inspire someone to start or continue a new hobby or to just share a book for us to gush over together.
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Big Magic : Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert is one of my go-to gifting for anyone needing a nudge to start a new creative practice.
I first read this book in January of 2017, and it inspired me to return to daily creative making. Painting + writing at first, and eventually finding my way to leaving corporate life behind to pursue making art + spreading joy, through this site.
I’m not advocating we all leave our jobs, but this book, especially at the end of an anxiety-ridden year, will be a welcome read + inspirational whisper to start finding your own creative voice.
In a year mostly void of travel, gifting a visual treat for our eyes to experience the beauty and wonder of another place would be a WELCOME gift to any creative!
I especially love these in this year_
There’s nothing like a coloring book or journal to jump-start a creative practice.
This year, I’m obsessed with_
One Color a Day Sketchbook - a simple daily color meditation.
A Field Guide to Color : A Watercolor Workbook - a beautifully illustrated guide to learning watercolor + color mixing techniques.
Make Ink - a guide to natural inkmaking (and fun!)
Art Supplies
Next, a go-to for adults + kids alike? A box of curated, well-tested art supplies guaranteed to get ANYONE started in making some art.
My tested + well-gifted faves_
A beautifully pigmented Japanese watercolor set + versatile round brush + watercolor paper - great for a newbie, a kid or an adult just wanting to dip their toe into painting.
My MOST MOST favorite watercolor paint + gridded paper + brush from my most most favorite west coast art supply shop. These are a bit more speedy than the first option, but perfect for your best friend, sister or self;)
An amazingly illustrated coloring book + Blackwing colored pencils or water-soluble crayons.
A learn to knit kit in their favorite hue from the best yarn shop in NYC (hands down.)
Or an art class! My local studio, Oil + Cotton has many great virtual options that might be right for you!
Original Art
And last, but certainly not least. Original art! Who doesn’t love gifting original art, especially in a year where your dollars go directly to supporting an artist pursuing her dream.
A few of my faves_
Cliff + Callahan, run by Molly, a local Dallas-artist, and her work are curious, happy and perfect for most any decor.
Ashley Mary is a Minneapolis based artist whose work just makes me HAPPY every time I see it. I’d love to wake up to a piece of her work every morning.
And Tappan Collective always has some great artists featured, that you can discover and gift!
And friends, these would also make great gifts for yourself! Creativity truly can bring joy and stress relief in a crazy year, so what are you waiting for?
Happy Gifting,
Jill Xx
