A helpful gift guide for the truly last minute creative

So, Christmas is around the corner, and although it is the same date every year, we remark how quickly it has come around. In these final few days, you, much like the rest of the ourppls team, may find yourself engaged in last-minute gift purchasing.  This guide presents a curated selection of gift ideas intended for your creative friends, family and loved ones. Each has been hand-picked with the consideration of what can be secured within a limited time frame. 

Even as we suggest things to buy, please know this piece was written with an explicit awareness that over consumption is often treated as a substitute for care and community, rather than a meaningful reflection of what actually matters around this time of year. We are to remain ever-vigilant and critical of consumer culture, even as we participate in the rituals of gift giving.

P.S. None of the suggestions listed below will be Karl Marx Manifesto.

1. Gift Cards

When considering a gift, thoughtfulness should always be top priority.  A friend who regularly hosts dinner parties might appreciate an M&S gift card, while your skincare-obsessed bestie could enjoy a booked green peel facial. For a parent in need of rest, a Treatwell voucher offers the opportunity to pause and recuperate, and for a sibling that loves zipping from A to B, a yearly railcard provides a practical gesture of care through sustained savings.

2. Concert tickets

Gifting an experience can be uniquely meaningful, as it can extend beyond the moment of exchange. Tickets to see a favourite artist, offer not only the immediate pleasure of recognition but also the anticipation of creating a future shared memory. Theatre tickets can also be an extension of this idea; platforms such as The Rendition regularly offer curated recommendations and exclusive discounts to their email subscribers.

3. A Non-Fiction Book

While there is nothing inherently lacking in gifting fiction, recent cultural trends suggest a turn away from non-fiction. For self-identified creatives, books such as The Creative Act or The Artist’s Way can provide both profound insight and actionable approaches to the creative practice. The latter, a well-known twelve-week programme, is designed to help individuals unblock creativity and reconnect with their inner artist through structured exercises and reflective prompts.

Beyond self-help, which carries a universal appeal, non-fiction can also demonstrate a more tailored attentiveness to your friend’s specific interests. Cookbooks, for example, offer a practical yet personal option; Padella was recently named Waterstones’ Gift of the Year.  Wherever possible, however, it remains important to support independent booksellers, particularly Black-owned bookshops, when purchasing.

4. A Vinyl 

We have included this selection in our list because sometimes nothing beats physical media, especially in an increasingly digital culture. The perfect way to demonstrate your own perfect music taste as well as attentiveness when selecting for a close one. Depending on budget, a vinyl player can be a good extension of this gift. Perfect for a seasoned collector, or someone looking for an invitation to slow down and engage more intentionally with their favourite tracks.

5. A subscription service

This type of gift begins with a simple question: how might this make their everyday life easier? It can also align closely with a specific New Year’s resolution you know they will set. If they hope to read more, an Audible subscription may offer a practical solution; if they are learning a new language, a year-long Duolingo subscription could provide structure and motivation. Subscription-based gifts are particularly effective because they introduce a degree of accountability. Unlike our personal gym memberships which are easily abandoned mid-year, this gift can be strengthened when paired with the shared encouragement.

6. Homeware

This suggestion can also take the form of a two-part gift, especially when paired with the promise of a shared trip to IKEA, H&M Home, or Søstrene Grene. Practical but luxurious homeware, such as a set of Le Creuset mugs (not enough people know about the outlet shop in the O2 for our liking) can feel especially considered. Objects associated with wellness can also make effective gifts, as they are often items people hesitate to purchase for themselves: an aesthetically pleasing incense holder, a well-scented candle, or luxury bath salts.

7. A journal or planner

This presents an opportunity to introduce the Create with Care ourppls planner. With over 180 pages, it is designed to support monthly planning and reflection, whether for yourself or a fellow creative. The planner includes sections for creative prompts, goal-setting and a range of habit and wellbeing trackers. Like the suggestions outlined above, this planner, or one of the many comparable alternatives available on the market, functions as an investment in the personal organisation and creative practice of those closest to you.

8. A re-up. 

Let me expand. You have likely overheard a friend or family member complain about the price of an item in their skincare regime: a moisturiser or beard oil. When several staple products run out at once: serious cash loss. The products highlighted below, such as Topicals eye masks, which make a sensational stocking filler, and the Hue Suprafade serum, formulated to address hyperpigmentation, span different price points. Do use your imagination with this approach: consider the cleaning products, haircare items, or even the distinctive hand soap you always notice when visiting their home; everyday essentials that, when gifted, will be kindly received. 

9. A letter 

What happened to handmade gifts, not the pasta necklaces from childhood, but the real, intentional acts of making. Maintaining a DIY culture is especially important as a cost-effective alternative to constant purchasing. Many of us possess craft skills that we either underestimate or overlook entirely. A carefully curated playlist, a handmade decorative object for a friend’s home, or the simple act of sitting down to write a considered letter can carry lasting significance. For a friend who values words of affirmation, the time taken to articulate care and encouragement may ultimately mean more than any of the material gifts listed above.

To conclude, we encourage you to enjoy the gift-giving season, approaching it with intention rather than simply obligation. Take the time out to consider the needs of those you are buying for and allow your thoughtfulness to go far beyond the act of purchase itself.

Written by: Bridget Eke