Some Gift Ideas for Creative Peeps

that won't break the bank or the planet

A Curated Gift Guide for Creative Spirits

Holidays can be really challenging for artists and other creative types (especially those of us with neurodivergent minds, which is many of us!). There’s so much going on with expectations, out of town guests, food preparation, changes to routine, not to mention the lights, music, and the children home for over a week.

To make your lives even a tad easier, here are some gift ideas for the creativity sensitive people in your life (including yourself!) None of these are affiliate links or anything, I just love them.

• Tea or tea-making stuff, coffee, hot chocolate - hot beverages in general are good

• Archival photographic prints or a gift card to “Artifact Uprising”

• A weighted blanket

• Noise canceling headphones (this is my favorite gift from the last few years)

• Tarot or oracle decks - we like introspection! Here’s a list of suggestions of decks I love.

  • The Wild Unknown Tarot (or any of her archetype decks) by Kim Krans

  • The Woodland Wardens by Jessica Roux

  • Many Queens Tarot

  • Wildwood Tarot

  • Three Trees Tarot decks

  • Next World Tarot

• Paper goods like journals, notecards, pens, and fancy letter-writing paper

• Core Values Cards: the perfect way to choose a word or set of words for the year

• Puzzles, jigsaw and logic puzzles both give complex brains something calming to do

• Soft things: stuffed animals, blankets, pillows, flannel sheets, super soft t-shirts

• Time alone. Give parents some much needed alone time this holiday by taking their kids out for the whole day.

• Float tank gift card - the darkness, the quiet, the solitude - ahhhh

• A subscription to Insight Timer - meditation is absolutely priceless for creatives

• Music lessons for an instrument they love or want to learn

• Books, of course

  • Devotions by Mary Oliver

  • Bright Dead Things by Ada Limón

  • When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities by Chen Chen

  • Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

  • Unlocking the Heart by James Crews

  • The Haunted Forest Trilogy by Jarod K Anderson

  • Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

  • My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem

  • Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

  • My own books, if you’re into that kind of thing ;)

• Hire someone to clean their home, book the time and do all the logistical work for it.

• A mix tape or playlist of songs that remind you of them - you can make these so easily on Spotify now

• Essential Oils - I love Glisten by Intention Blends

• Quiet Corners: Create a care package with candles, herbal teas, and a cozy blanket to encourage those moments of stillness and reflection.

• Wildflower Seeds or Native Plant Kits

• Nature Walk Tools: A pocket-sized field guide, sketchbook, and compact binoculars for outdoor adventures.

• Literary Subscriptions

  • The Sun Magazine: Reflective essays, stories, and poetry.

  • Orion Magazine: Nature-focused essays and poetry.

  • Emergence Magazine: A multimedia exploration of ecology, culture, and spirituality.

  • Tin House: Contemporary poetry and fiction.

  • Rattle: A dynamic poetry magazine with a focus on accessibility and relevance.

  • Poetry: Published by the Poetry Foundation, offering a wide range of voices.

• Gift a class, workshop, or membership to something they love—like a local CSA, a pottery class, or an annual membership to a wildlife sanctuary.

• Secondhand Finds: Visit your local thrift store for vintage treasures—think hand-knitted sweaters, books with handwritten notes, or beautiful coffee mugs.

• Art and Photography: Support independent artists and bring beauty into their space with artwork you know they love (you can peep who they follow on Instagram or Substack for ideas)

• Art Supplies, obviously

• Baked goods, sourdough starter, amazing heirloom recipes, or a promise of a home-cooked meal.

Happy gifting, wild ones!

With love,

Alix

PS: Today is the last day to get 15% off yearly subscriptions to Earth & Verse, which includes access to my writing community,

“Hermit & Moon”