Simple Gifts Under $50 for Creatives
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Thoughtful Gifts Under $50 for Writers, Makers, Memory Keepers, Digital Artists, and More
Table of Contents
Introduction
Have you seen the calendar recently? Yeah.
It’s the time of year when the first trickle of “So…what are we gonna do for Thanksgiving this year” messages starts to arrive. Which means grab your glitter and tinsel, baby, Christmas is right around the corner.
What? How? Already? That’s not right.
I know. The calendar moves faster each year.
That’s why I’m such a big believer in preparing for your gifting holiday of choice throughout the year, as opposed to a last-minute mad dash that leaves you stressed and short on cash. Ain’t nobody got time for that - not in this economy!
Instead, we are getting started early with a roundup of some of the best gifts under $50 for creatives of all types. But, don’t worry, I’m also working on a round of homemade gifts, too! Remember, gifting is not based on a monetary value. It comes from the heart.
These creative gifts under $50 include a roundup of gifts for writers, gifts for journalers, gifts for artists, and some of the best craft gifts around. These won’t break the bank and will bring cheer to the recipient.
Quick Picks
Need an idea fast? These are straight from my craft room and some of my tried and true favorites.
365 Days of Art in Nature: Find Inspiration Every Day in the Natural World by Lorna Scobie - This is actually one of an entire series, each based on a different theme, such as art, drawing, and creativity. This book uses the influence of nature to prompt daily creative exercises. This is a great gift for artists of all skill levels, as its focus is on finding creative inspiration and creating at your own pace.
Winsor & Newton Watercolor Pocket Box Set - I received this set as a gift from a Secret Santa, having never used this brand before. I like the palette’s portability, how each paint comes in its own tray, and the pigment of the paints. Don’t let its size fool you - the brush quality surprised me! It’s great for painting tiny details. I used the set to create watercolor Christmas tags (tutorial coming soon!).
Arches Cold-Pressed Watercolor Paper - There’s a reason this paper is so popular among watercolor artists! High-quality paper makes a huge difference (probably more so than paint) in terms of the look and feel of your finished product. It doesn’t buckle, bend, or blur nearly as easily as cheaper brands. Watercolor and gouache appear more vibrant. This is a great gift for creatives with an interest in watercoloring!
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard - This is a great, quick book for writers, best left to simmer before rereading. Through anecdotes filled with metaphors, like chopping wood, Dillard imparts knowledge accumulated over a lifetime of writing.
Vintage-Themed Ephemera Pack - These come in all different styles. The size makes the ephemera pack great for junk journaling, scrapbooking, cardmaking, and more.
Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose - Prose reframes the reading process, encouraging us to examine the choices authors make in terms of structure, word choice, theme, and more. At the back, it features a great reading list I’ve shared here.
Mythomorphis: An Extreme Coloring and Search Challenge by Kerby Rosanes - This super intricate, fantasy-themed coloring book isn’t for the faint of heart. The drawings are beautiful.
C.R. Gibson 3-in-1 Blank, Dot, Grid Journal - I like this journal because it comes with three sections, each filled with a different type of paper: blank paper, dot paper, and grid paper. It includes a nice stretchy bookmark and section dividers. However, the pages are a bit thin and are better suited for journaling with pen and ink.
Gifts for Writers and Journalers
Classic Moleskin Notebook - These are classic for a reason! The smaller size makes them a great choice for on-the-go. The notebook’s durability means it holds up to repeated use.
Sakura Fineliner Pen Set - Sakura is a personal favorite brand when it comes to fineliners. They use archival ink, last a long time, and maintain a good variety in tip thickness.
Writing Down the Bones Deck: 60 Cards to Free the Writer Within - Help your writer friend with the gift of inspiration for when writer’s block strikes. Each card contains a topic and a lesson.
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard - This is a great book for writers, best left to simmer before rereading. Through anecdotes filled with metaphors, like chopping wood, Dillard imparts knowledge accumulated over a lifetime of writing.
Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose - Prose reframes the reading process, encouraging us to examine the choices authors make in terms of structure, word choice, theme, and more. At the back, it features a great reading list I’ve shared here.
Van Gogh Decorative Washi Tape, 36 Pack - I use washi tape for journaling, scrapbooking, and in my cardmaking. It’s convenient and adds so much to your paper craft projects. I’m obsessed with this pack of Van Gogh decorated tapes.
Library Card Tote Bag Set - Zippered tote bag set for the modern book lover. Holds a lot and comes with a matching makeup bag.
Gifts for Lettering, Mixed Media, and Paper Crafts
Gel Press Print Plate - Go ahead and add this to the “crafts I need to try this year” list. This is a great custom print tool with lots of potential applications. This is a great option for mixed media artists and paper crafters.
Rubber Brayer Set - These pair with the gel plate to roll on paints or other materials. The two together make a really wonderful and affordable gift!
Hand-Lettering 101: A Step-by-Step Calligraphy Workbook for Beginners - With over 4,000 reviews, this is a great workbook for beginners and experienced calligraphers alike.
Fiskars Paper Trimmer - This is a phenomenal paper trimmer. It makes accurate cuts, is versatile, and should be a staple of any paper crafter’s art room!
Posca Acrylic Paint Markers with Reversible Tips - Super saturated paint pens that smoothly paint on a variety of surfaces. The reversible tips make them last longer.
Gifts for Watercolor and Sketching
Dr. PH. Martin’s Frisket Mask Liquid - Easy-to-remove masking fluid that doesn’t discolor paper.
Canson XL Watercolor Pad - There’s nothing wrong with testing out a hobby to see if it works for you by using cheaper supplies. For just starting, this is great. In addition to watercoloring, I use this paper as the base of many of my cards and DIY tags.
36 Pack Sketching Kit - I really enjoyed the variety of pencils and extra tools that came in this set, especially the kneadable erasers and charcoals.
DIY Watercolor Card and Envelope Kit - Save time with these prefolded 5x7 cards on watercolor paper. Comes with envelopes. Good quality!
Gifts for Digital Artists
Silicone Pencil Grip for Apple Pencil - This is a great gift for digital artists who use their iPad for any length of time. The grip is versatile and super comfortable for long use.
Adjustable Tablet Holder - This is the number one tablet holder as featured on Amazon, with over 70,000 reviews. It’s sturdy with the ability to tilt the angle, which is handy.
2-in-1 Screen Cleaning Kit - The little compact microfiber cleaning cloth is wrapped around the spray bottle, so you never have to search for one or the other.
Wacom Intuos Small Drawing Tablet (Wired) - I have both the Wacom Intuos and the Wacom Bamboo drawing tablets. I’m a big fan of the brand here! They are made to last, and are a great option for new digital artists looking to experiment with design or photo retouching.
Cat Print Digital Drawing Glove - This glove is for iPad digital artists to help prevent smudging and random marks. They work quite well!
Gifts for Content Creators (Photo+Design)
Compact Ring Light with Phone Holder - This version is small enough to fit on your desk, and the included phone holder feature makes it easy to film content.
Flexible Phone Tripod - This flexible phone tripod bends any way and easily clamps down on a desk or table. My husband and I each have one for our offices.
5-in-1 Light Reflector - I love this because it’s collapsible and comes with its own storage bag, making it easy to put away. The various surfaces allow for subtle control of color temperature, adding or removing excess light. Great for indoor and outdoor use.
Gifts for the Home Studio
Vintage-Styled Elephant Bookends - There’s nothing I like better than when form meets function. Add some pizazz to the office bookshelves with this sleek set.
3-Tiered Rolling Cart - I’ve used mine for the last three years. I keep it in my storage closet and can wheel it out as necessary. It makes accessing my favorite materials faster. The included hanging baskets are great for storing my smaller tools, such as paper punches, my Xacto knife, and more. Highly recommend!
Electric Blanket - I have purchased three of these (one for me and two as gifts for family!). I love the variety of heat settings and the auto-shutoff feature. It’s been great for the fall and winter and is guaranteed to act like a beacon to your pets.
Zip-Up Cable Management Sleeves - I’m always struggling with the amount of cords I’m forced to manage. This solves the tangled mess that’s behind your computer, your TV, your whatever. Buy a pack as a gift and a pack for yourself - they are that helpful!
Gifts for Crafty Kids
Monster Pencil Case - I’m obsessed! This cute pencil case with a monster face is full of personality.
Melissa & Doug Stained Glass Craft Kit - I’m a big fan of the Melissa & Doug line. This makes a great gift for young school-aged kids (think 5-8). The final result is pretty!
Crayola Mess-Free Paper - This is another tried-and-true product I love and have purchased several times. It offers a mess-free creating experience for little artists. It does require specific “mess-free” markers or paints, also sold by Crayola.
Rainbow Scratch Paper - My nieces and nephews love this stuff! It’s great because it’s mess-free and keeps them entertained for a while. The colors are vibrant and the possibilities endless. I’ll be purchasing more for Christmas 2025.
Bear Crayons - I keep a set of these in my craft closet. These are like the perfect combination of crayons and pastels. They feel super creamy and are great for layering. Best for older children, though, because they can smudge!
Just Remember
Just remember, a good gift has nothing to do with monetary value - it comes from the heart. This Christmas, I challenge each of you to give from the heart.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting a handmade gift guide, a how-to on creating custom watercolor Christmas tags, and discussing the positives of creative failure.
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