Gift Guide for Creative People

Figuring out the perfect gift (or gifts) can be incredibly stressful!

I am not easy to shop for. Not because I’m picky but because I feel that if I want or need something, I don’t want to wait for my birthday or the holidays to arrive. I often buy those items when the need arises, when I want to reward myself with something, or an item I want gets released or goes on sale. This, of course, creates a bit of a conundrum for my wife, whom often laments about what gifts to get me.

As such, I compiled a list of some great gift ideas for that creative person in your life—even if that creative person is you… because, let’s face it, you deserve a reward every so often.

Just a head’s up, I am an Amazon Associate. If you buy any of these items from the links in this blog, I may receive a small commission from Amazon. It doesn’t cost you anything extra; however, the commissions help support this site.

GENERAL GIFT IDEAS FOR CREATIVEs

Hanayama Cast Puzzles ($7-$17)

Want a fun way to exercise your mind and practice creative problem solving? Tactile puzzles, like these Hanayama cast puzzles, are an amazing and fun way to disconnect, if you’re feeling blocked, while keeping your brain engaged. I own so many of these and I’ve solved most of the ones I have (so far). Here are some of my favorites (ranked from easiest to most difficult).

I find these puzzles to be extremely satisfying to solve. If you want to find some more Hanayama Cast Puzzles, you can check out the link below for the Hanayama Page.

Noise Cancelling Headphones ($88-$300)

Sometimes it’s hard to find a quiet spot to concentrate on your work. Sometimes you want to listen to some music while you’re working and you want to be immersed in the music and drown out the world and the chaos around you. That’s why noise cancelling headphones are a great gift for a creative person. These are all great headphones but I have them in an order that I consider to be “Good, Better, Best.” Right now, the Sony headphones are on sale for $88, the Beats are $299.95, and the Bose QC 35 II headphones are on sale for $199.

DJI MINI 2 FLY MORE COMBO ($599)

Do you or someone you really care about long to take to the skies? Does the thought of aerial photography and videography titillate you? Have you or your loved ones been yearning to get into the drone hobby, but you don’t know where to start? The DJI Mini 2 is a fantastic UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) to start with. Though the $599 price tag might be a bit high, getting a quality drone isn’t as cost-prohibitive as it was as close as 2 years ago. The Fly More combo is a great addition because it includes additional batteries, some spare parts, a two-way charging hub, a shoulder bag, and a few more things to keep the fun going.

External storage ($109.99-$287.59)

Here’s something every creator needs… Storage.

Whether it’s daily blog writing, graphic design, recording videos, or thousands photos, all of that content has to go somewhere and cloud storage can get expensive. One solution is to have an external hard drive that can keep all of those files. Another solution is to have your own network-connected external hard-drive (your own cloud).

Do you need a portable, but reliable storage option? I have a recommendation for that too. The Lacie Rugged is the standard for creatives on the go. In fact, I own two.

Storage always goes on sale. You can always count on a Black Friday and Prime Day sale for great storage deals.

A journal ($7.99-$9.59)

No… Seriously. A journal is actually a thoughtful gift for a creative person. If they’re anything like me, they have a TON of ideas flowing from the space between their ears at all times of the day (and night). I’m not talking about a “Dear Diary” journal either. Journaling is actually an integral part of the creative process. Capturing ideas when they materialize is one of the most important phases of the creative process. In fact, it’s the beginning. That being said, there are many journals that can do the work they’re created for but some are fun and help the creative process along through abstract and emotional exercises.

The artist’s way ($13.99-$20.25)

Following up on the journal theme, I present “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. This is so much more than a journal though. “The Artist’s Way” is essentially a course on creativity. The books have helped me unlock my creative process and even work through some blocks in my creativity. I cannot recommend this more. The Starter Kit comes with “The Artist’s Way” and “The Artist’s Way Morning Pages Journal.” All of the links below are for different products that work together.

And because creativity doesn’t have an age limit, I included “It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again, An Artist’s Way Program for Retirees and Other Creative Souls” in this list.

Gift ideas for video creators

Is there someone in your life that aspires to improve their video production capabilities? Maybe they’re into vlogging? Maybe they’re into live streaming? Either way, there’s great gear out there that doesn’t break the bank. I’ve linked a few recommendations in this section.

GEAR for vlogging and live streaming

Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Vlogging Camera ($549)

Professionally, I’m a Nikon shooter but I have to call it how I see it and the Canon EOS M50 has piqued my interest since it was released. This is a dynamite little camera, especially for video use. You can throw it on a Joby Gorilla Pod or a Switch Pod and vlog with it, or you can connect it to your Mac or PC and run your live streams through it, like a webcam… all in 4K definition. The included 15-45mm kit lens offers a focal length range that’s a wide enough angle for vlogging and tight enough for talking head/live streaming. Pro tip: don’t affix the included strap to the camera (it’ll only flap around as you’re vlogging or get in the way on your desk). Instead, use a Peak Design strap which can be removed quickly. You can find links to those in my 10 Things Every Content Creator Needs blog.

Gopro hero9 black and accessories ($49.00-$399)

There’s been an unfortunate occurrence in public, that pertains to cameras and photography/videography. Sometimes, the bigger your camera, the more restricted your access. This attitude isn’t conducive for content creation so, in these cases, smaller is better. GoPro did a great thing by putting a screen on the front because it opens up an entirely new demographic of users, vloggers. GoPro also created the “Mod” accessory, which contains a low-profile, forward-facing, microphone and hot shoes for accessories, like lights. Best of all, you can discreetly carry your vlogging rig in your pocket, until you’re ready. Of course, it’s still a waterproof action cam, so feel free to jump on your bike and mob through the woods and find that perfect vlogging site.

GoPro HERO9 Black Camera ($399)

GoPro HERO9 Black Camera Media Mod ($79.99)

GoPro Light Mod ($49.00)

Skyreate ND Filters for GoPro HERO9 ($59.99)

Elgato streaming accessories ($136-$199)

If you’re a live streamer and want to up your streaming game (pun intended—always intend your puns), Elgato makes some amazing gear for you and yours. With these tools, you can control your stream with a push of a button. It’s almost like having a TV studio on your stream set.

Elgato Stream Deck 15 ($136.99)

Elgato Stream Game Capture Card HD60 S+ ($199.99)

lighting ($11.99-$529.00)

Lighting is the most important aspect of an image. So much so, that you cannot create an image without light. Did you know that the word “photography” actually means “light writing?” The same thing bodes true for creating video. Here are a few lighting suggestions for video and photo creation.

Pro tip: If you’re going to get the speedlights and Octobox reflectors, I recommend the Godox S-type Bracket Bowens Mount Holder for Speedlite Flash, over the ones that come with the kit. This is more secure (both on the flash and the light mount) and you can also use it for a Bowen Mount diffuser, in addition to the inside-mounted reflectors.

10.2” LED Ring Light and Cell Phone Holder ($11.99)

18” LED Ring Light with Tripod Stand ($54.99)

Neewer 3-Pack LED Video Lighting Kit ($155.99)

Godox VL300 LED Video Light ($529.00)

Godox TT600 Speedlights for photography two-pack ($176.00)

Godox 32” Octobox Softbox 2-pack ($54.99)

I hope you get a lot out of this guide. I put a fair amount of research into the items in this blog. I use many of the items listed above and if I do not, I have either researched them for my own use or I have friends that use them and swear by them. Many of the items above have been recommended to me by friends of mine. If you’re interested in learning about the gear I use to create content, you can check out my KIT.

If you want more recommendations for gifts for content creators, you can find them in my blog 10 Things Under $100 That Every Content Creator Needs... 5 Are Under $50!