This year gift giving will likely be remote and will hopefully be more thoughtful. I've put together some of my favorite items for artists and podcasters that would be great gifts for Christmas or Chanukah. I also added everything to this Pinterest board if you want to pin them to your own wish list.

As an artist and podcast creator myself, these are things I've either bought and recommend, or items I wish I had! If you're looking for gifts for someone who is working from home, check out JPG Legal's Work From Home Guide.  

While I encourage you to buy local and buy independent, this guide includes Amazon affiliate links. This means that Distill Creative will make money if you buy products through some of these links and that your purchase will be helping to support me, an independent artist and business woman of color.

Gifts for Artists

A Sketchbook

• I like this Stillman & Birn Multi Media sketchbook (9" x 12", 270 gsm) because it takes wet and dry media. It's a good size and not so large that it's intimidating to fill up! For travel, I like this mini sketchbook. And I have this Winsor & Newton watercolor pan set on my wish list this year.

Micron Pens

• Micron pens are archival and this set of 6 micron pens come in various tip widths. I also suggest the Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen for the hand letters in your life. Even if someone already has these pens, they will be very happy to have more!

A Paint Making Set from Kremer Pigments

• I really, really hope someone gifts me this! I have been wanting to make my own watercolor and oil paints for a while and these sets are so amazing. You can gift an Oil paint making set or a Watercolor paint making set.

Artisan Made Rug by Porfirio Gutiérrez & Familia

• Any artist will appreciate a handmade, naturally dyed rug made by Porfirio Gutiérrez & Familia. I studied Zapotec natural dyeing with the Gutiérrez family in Oaxaca, Mexico and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. My husband and I bought one of their rugs for our living room and is a beautiful and meaningful addition to our home. The tapestries are works of art in and of themselves — they can also be displayed as wall hangings.

Organizing for Creative People: How to Channel the Chaos of Creativity into Career Success by Sheila Chandra

• This book has been guiding me in my journey as an artist and creative business owner. It gives excellent tips and tricks to organizing and living a creative life. This book is especially helpful for artists or independent creative business owners.

A SKillshare Subscription

• Whenever I have a creative block, I lack motivation, or I want to learn a new skill, I turn to Skillshare to take a class or browse. I don't always finish classes, but I do always get inspired! Skillshare has all kinds of classes that would be helpful for an artist, from specific painting techniques to photography for artists to marketing.

Apple iPad Mini, Apple Pencil, & Procreate

• This is for sure a splurge, but I LOVE my iPad mini. I use it in the studio, at home, and everywhere in between. If you have the money, I'd get the cellular plan, but I have the WIFI only one and it's been fine (I just tether from my phone). You should also get the Apple Pencil and Procreate (I said this was a splurge!) because that's what makes this little device even more amazing.

A subscription to an art magazine

• There are plenty of art magazines, but The Brooklyn Rail has a variety of art, critique, and writing that is inspiring to any artist living anywhere. There's also Create! Magazine (for artist, makers, & artrepreneurs) created by artist Ekaterina Popova and Flow (creativity & mindfulness). If you know of a specific interest for the artist in your life, like geography or politics, get them a magazine on that topic or go to your local book store to find a magazine on the topic. I like magazines because they aren't as much of a commitment as a book, but you can still reference them for years to come.

A Mask with Original Artwork or A Unique Design

• There are so many masks available now and many that are super unique and even include original artwork! Check out my top picks in this roundup featuring beautiful masks by independent designers.

A gift certificate to Blick

• If you don't know what the artist in your life might need, a gift certificate to Blick will always be appreciated and used.

Gifts for Podcasters

Heartcast media course on podcasting

• If you need a gift for someone who is thinking about making a podcast, gift them this class all about podcasting. I really enjoyed this course. It was more about all the things you need to do to set up your podcast, get it listed on directories, and promote your podcast, which honestly I didn’t really think about when I was starting out. There are other classes (below) for learning to edit the actual audio, but this class was essential in getting me set up so that once I did record the podcast I was ready to go and have it up on all the platforms.

Buzzsprout's How to Make A Podcast Guide and How to Start a Podcast podcast

• I found this guide and podcast really helpful. It’s free…but maybe you could print out the guide as a gift?

BRIC Intro to Audition and Video Editing with PremiER PRO

• I took both the BRIC Intro to Audition and Video Editing with Premier Pro classes earlier this year. With that knowledge (and what I learned from the Heartcast Media course I shared above) I was able to record, edit, and publish my podcast!

Microphone

• I use both the Blue Yeti USB Microphone (Blackout) Bundle with Knox Gear Headphones and Pop Filter and the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone (ATR Series). I have the Blue Yeti in my recording area and I have the ATR at home as a backup.

Zoom H5 4-Track Portable Recorder

• For someone who wants to record in the field, I'd suggest this professional portable recorder.

External SoLID STATE Drive

• Anyone making media needs an external drive. I keep my audio and visual files on one of these SAMSUNG T7 Touch Portable SSD 1TB and on Dropbox. I also have a second SSD just for computer backups. These are so small and super portable!

Macbook Pro

• Another splurge item, but really useful if you can swing the expense. I use my MacBook Pro everyday. Get a solid state drive and as much memory and storage as you can afford via the Refurbished Mac Store.

Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Body Scrub

• Anyone working on a creative project would appreciate some body scrub to destress and relax. I'm hoping I get this in my stocking this year!

A Handmade Habitat Candle

• Making a podcast can be frustrating and stressful, especially if you're doing it all yourself (like I did!). Gifting a podcaster a candle from an independent maker is a sweet gift that will give them permission to take a break sometimes.

A Subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud

• I use Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Audition, and Adobe Premier to create my podcast. I also use Adobe Lightroom for photo management and Adobe Photoshop and InDesign for other business and art needs. Adobe Creative Cloud is not cheap, but it is essential for any creative professional.

• A Gift Certificate to B&H

  • If you don't know what the podcaster in your life might need, get them a gift card from B&H so they can choose their own audio or visual gear .

What is on your wish list this year? What are you gifting for the artist or podcaster in your life? Share in the comments below!

Your Host | Stephanie Eche, CEO & Founder of Distill Creative

Stephanie Eche is an artist and art consultant based in Brooklyn, NYC.
Follow Stephanie on Instagram (@distillcreative or @stephanie_eche), Twitter (@stephanie_eche), YouTube (Distill Creative), LinkedIn, and check out her art website.

Support First Coat by backing us on our Patreon.

Learn more about Distill Creative’s services for real estate developers.

Are you an artist? Sign up for our Distill Directory and you’ll be considered for art commissions and future projects.