Gift Guide For Artists & Creatives

Need a gift for an artist friend? Here’s a collection of gift ideas for artists I’d love to get myself! I hope this sparks some inspiration for you.

Idea #1: Keychains for daily use

Keychains are a small but meaningful gift, perfect for reminding artists and creatives of their passions. They’re personal, practical, and a great way to showcase individuality. Here are some ideas:

✔ Pride keychains: Celebrate pride and inclusivity with rainbow-themed keychains.
✔ Anime or movie-themed: Characters, quotes, or symbols from favorites like Totoro or Spirited Away.
✔ Custom keychains: Personalize with initials, names, or meaningful dates.
✔ Art supply keychains: Tiny paintbrushes, palettes, or pencils to carry a little craft everywhere.
✔ Hobby keychains: For readers, a book keychain adds a personal touch.

Idea #2: Art books to get inspired

Art books are a fantastic gift for creatives looking to explore new styles and techniques. Whether it's a collection of stunning illustrations or a deep dive into the world of art history, these books will inspire new ideas:

✔ Art books: Stunning collections from favorite artists, illustrators, or animation studios, offering insight into their creative process.
✔ Graphic novels: For artists who love storytelling through visuals, graphic novels are a great way to inspire new ideas and techniques.
✔ Sketchbooks with artist tips: Sketchbooks that also include helpful tips, prompts, or inspirational quotes for creative journaling or drawing.

Idea #3: Art supplies for crafting

Art supplies make the perfect gift for creatives—every artist loves new tools to bring their ideas to life! Whether for sketching, coloring, or adding fine details, high-quality crafting supplies can truly elevate the creative process.

✔ Washi tapes: Fun, decorative tapes in all kinds of patterns for adding flair to sketches, journals, or DIY projects.
✔ Fine-tip pens: Perfect for detail work, whether it's for line art or adding intricate touches to designs.
✔ Brush pens: Great for creating smooth strokes and blending, ideal for both calligraphy and illustrations.
✔ Watercolor sets: A beautiful set of watercolor paints for those who love creating with soft, flowing colors.
✔ Markers: Vibrant markers for bold designs and easy blending, a must-have for illustrators and comic artists.
✔ Sketching pencils: A variety of pencils for different shading effects, perfect for artists who love to work in graphite.

Idea #4: Organization supplies

Next up: Organization supplies – perfect for keeping art tools, supplies, and merch tidy and accessible. These thoughtful gifts help artists stay organized and focused, creating a clean workspace that inspires creativity:

✔ Mini storage boxes: Small, stackable drawers for sorting art tools, stickers, and crafting supplies. Great for organizing everything from pens to embellishments.
✔ Labeling systems: Clear labels for categorizing different supplies, making it easier to find what’s needed when inspiration strikes.
✔ Drawer organizers: Perfect for organizing tools, brushes, or small materials like beads, paints, and tapes.
✔ Storage cases for stickers: For artists who collect or create stickers, a dedicated storage case keeps everything neat and easy to access.
✔ Caddy organizers: Portable storage caddies for art supplies, perfect for artists who like to move their tools around or work in different spaces.

Idea #5: Gifts for digital artists

iPad supplies are perfect for artists who love creating digitally. These thoughtful tools enhance the experience, making the digital art process even more comfortable and enjoyable:

✔ Pencil grips: Like these ergonomic grips, they provide added comfort and control for long drawing sessions on the iPad.
✔ Paperlike screen protector: A screen protector that mimics the texture of paper, giving a more natural feel when using the Apple Pencil—ideal for those who love drawing and sketching digitally.
✔ Apple Pencil case: A protective case or sleeve for the Apple Pencil, keeping it safe and stylish while on the go.
✔ iPad stand or holder: A sturdy, adjustable stand for drawing comfortably from any angle.

You can also gift the Procreate app, which is easy to use for beginners and a fantastic tool for digital artists to bring their ideas to life on the iPad.

Idea #6: Journals and sketchbooks

An art journal or sketchbook is a perfect gift for artists who love to explore their ideas, experiment with new techniques, or simply document their creative journey. Even if they only use it for notes - having a beautiful journal definitely makes me happy! Here are some ideas:

✔ Premium sketchbook: Acid-free, thick pages ideal for sketching with pencils, pens, or markers.
✔ Watercolor journal: Designed specifically for watercolor artists, with paper that absorbs paint beautifully.
✔ Travel sketchbook: Compact and portable, perfect for sketching on the go or during trips.
✔ Mixed-media journal: Versatile for different media, from ink to acrylics, perfect for experimentation.
✔ Personalized sketchbook: Custom-made with the artist's name or a special design for a personal touch.
✔ Note-taking journal: A journal with lined or grid pages, ideal for jotting down creative ideas, sketches, and daily thoughts.

Idea #7: Art prints and other merch

Art prints and stickers – a fantastic way to support artists and small business owners while giving a meaningful gift. Whether it’s a beautiful print of original artwork or a set of fun, unique stickers, these items bring creativity into everyday life:

✔ Custom art prints: High-quality prints of original artwork, whether it’s a favorite painting, digital art, or a custom illustration that holds personal meaning.
✔ Fanart prints: Prints featuring fanart of beloved characters from movies, anime, or video games – perfect for those who want to bring their favorite characters into their home.
✔ Limited edition prints: For something truly special, consider gifting a limited edition art print, which adds exclusivity and value to the artwork.
✔ Inspirational quote prints: Prints featuring motivational or meaningful quotes, perfect for adding a personal touch to an artist's studio or workspace.

✔ Stickers: From cute illustrations to intricate designs, stickers are perfect for decorating laptops, notebooks, or sketchbooks. Think cat stickers for cat lovers, pride stickers, or designs that reflect personal interests and styles.
✔ Sticker sheets:A collection of stickers with a common theme, whether it’s a favorite aesthetic, anime characters, or nature motifs. Perfect for those who love a cohesive set!

Idea #7: Art subscription box

Art subscription box – the gift that keeps on giving! An art subscription box is a fantastic way to inspire creativity and provide artists with new tools, supplies, and artistic experiences each month.

Whether it’s a box filled with unique art materials, curated themes, or exclusive prints and stickers, it’s a thoughtful way to surprise and delight any creative.

✔ Monthly art supply boxes: Receive a variety of high-quality art materials, from sketchpads to paintbrushes and specialty inks, delivered right to their door.
✔ Crafting or DIY project boxes: Perfect for hands-on artists who love experimenting with new techniques, these boxes come with everything needed for fun projects like embroidery, pottery, or jewelry making.
✔ Illustration and comic book boxes: Subscription boxes filled with graphic novels, illustration prints, and even exclusive fanart, perfect for fans of specific genres or characters.
✔ Mixed-media boxes: These include a variety of materials like watercolors, pastels, and acrylic paints to encourage experimentation and growth in an artist’s practice.

Idea #8: Hand-crafted gift ideas for artists

Handcrafted gifts – perfect for those who appreciate the charm and uniqueness of artisan-made items. These thoughtful creations are full of love and attention to detail, making them ideal for artists, creatives, or anyone who loves personalized, high-quality pieces.

✔ Handmade pottery: Unique mugs, bowls, or vases that add a cozy, personal touch to any space. Perfect for bringing warmth and character to the home.
✔ Handmade jewelry: Custom necklaces, bracelets, or earrings that feel special and are a reflection of the wearer’s style and personality.
✔ Hand-carved wood pieces: Custom wooden frames, sculptures, or pencil holders that bring nature’s beauty into everyday life, with a timeless appeal.
✔ Handmade candles: Scented candles made from natural ingredients, creating a calming atmosphere and making any room feel inviting.
✔ Crochet plushies: These adorable, hand-crocheted little creatures bring so much personality and charm. Perfect for anyone who loves cute, cuddly creations that make you smile.
✔ Crochet patterns: Give the gift of creativity with crochet patterns for making scarves, shawls, or adorable plush toys, so the recipient can create their own handmade treasures.

Idea #9: Gifts for young artists

Perfect for kids, tweens, and teens who love to express themselves through art, crafting, and exploring their creative potential. These gifts are designed to inspire, entertain, and give them the tools they need to bring their ideas to life.

For younger creatives (kids):

✔ Coloring books & sketchbooks: Fun and vibrant coloring books featuring their favorite characters, animals, or themes. Pair it with a sketchbook to let their imagination run wild with doodles and drawings.
✔ Art supplies for beginners: Crayons, markers, colored pencils, and washable paints. These easy-to-use supplies are great for little hands and encourage exploration of different art forms.
✔ DIY craft kits: Craft kits that let them make things like friendship bracelets, paint-by-numbers, or simple clay sculptures. Perfect for fostering creativity and improving fine motor skills.
✔ Crafting kits for imaginative play: From building their own jewelry to making paper creations, these hands-on craft kits encourage fun and imaginative play while developing their creativity.
✔ Fun art stickers: Bright, colorful stickers with playful designs—great for decorating their notebooks, water bottles, or even their room. These also help with creative expression in a fun way.

For older creatives (tweens & teens):

✔ Personalized sketchbooks or journals: A custom sketchbook with their name or a favorite design on the cover. A special place to jot down ideas, sketch, or write stories, making their art space feel uniquely theirs.
✔ Art supplies for more advanced projects: High-quality markers, sketching pencils, or watercolors that give them the tools to create more detailed art. These are perfect for teens looking to develop their craft.
✔ Creative tech gadgets: A stylus and tablet (like an iPad) or a drawing pad with a compatible app like Procreate. Ideal for older kids who want to explore digital art or graphic design.
✔ Inspiring art books or graphic novels: Art books filled with stunning illustrations or graphic novels with captivating art styles to inspire and push their creativity to new heights.
✔ DIY fashion or craft kits: Kits for making jewelry, customizing t-shirts, or even learning to crochet or knit. Perfect for teens who love hands-on creative activities they can wear or use.
✔ Personalized accessories: A custom tote bag, pencil case, or art print with their name, favorite quote, or artwork. These gifts make them feel extra special while also being functional.