To help you fill in the printable Gift Planner I posted a few days ago I thought I’d share some of the coolest creative gifts I’ve seen in the lead up to the festive period. I’ve put the caveat of ‘grown up’ on this list because, and I’m not sure how, almost everything I’ve pulled isn’t really PG13. Hopefully these will give you some inspiration for that difficult someone in your life, or maybes just give you something else to add to your own Christmas list*.
1 – THIS GFDA MUG
Good for: Every creative you know
Price: £13.50ish ($16.50)
GFDA’s advice is always so on point, and in mug form its even better. Sometimes everyone needs to be reminded to “Be Fucking Bold” (No. 213), and when better to see that advice then when you’re working with a little caffeine boost for extra boldness? It looks good, it sounds good, and it tastes good. GFDA have load of other great stuff in their shop too, if mugs just aren’t you cup of tea (ba dum bum tsh)
2 – THIS CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY DESIGN PACK
Good for: Fans of Cards Against Humanity
Price: £4
This Design Pack for Cards Against Humanity (if your designer doesn’t have CAH already, you’ll need to get the original cards too) contains 30 fully-illustrated cards by some of the best graphic designers in the world, including Milton Glaser (I <3 NY), Susan Kare (the Apple Macintosh), and Erik Spiekermann (MetaDesign). What’s better is that all of the proceeds from the sales of the expansion pack go to The Chicago Design Museum. As well as a great stocking filler this also makes a fun ‘thanks for having me over’ gift instead of/as well as a bottle of wine. If you’re into silly, yet challenging, card games you should also totally check out Person Do Thing – it’s great not just because it was made by some friends of mine and it has some of my work in it.
3 – ADAM JK’S PICK ME UP BOOK OR UNSOLICITED ADVICE 2017
Good for: Anyone who might need a pep talk, or loves a bit of creative self care
Price: £12-15ish ($10-$12)
As Bigcartel said when they launched their anniversary pack with Adam JK, “No one knows the artist’s struggle better than Adam J. Kurtz”. I couldn’t agree more. Pick Me Up is an interactive book for getting through the darker parts of life, kind of a creative self-help workbook but way more fun than that sounds. It’s Adam’s follow up to the cult favourite 1 Page At A Time. The Unsolicited Advice planner is now in its 6th year. It’s exactly what it sounds like, a planner with advice and activities to help you get through the year. Both of them I basically want everything from his Gift Shop, so make sure you have a browse as well.
4 – THIS GROUP PARTNER PLANT POT
Good for: Plant lovers
Price: £53ish ($65)
I firmly believe that having a plant on your desk is good for you. But finding the perfect planter to give your succulent, fern, or cactus, to give your plant a little extra something can be tough. I feel like everyone and their nan has seen these tiny boob plant pots, but there’s a good reason. They’re so good – they’re fun and really well designed. Group partner have just listed a load of new designs though, so if there wasn’t one that caught your eye before, there might be now.
5 – THIS SIGNED COPY OF MR BINGO’S BOOK
Good for: People with coffee tables
Price: £30
Everyone knows about Mr Bingo’s Hate Mail postcards, but not everyone has a copy, and they should. So why not spice up your friend’s coffee table with a signed copy, and maybes even a bookmark if you want to go all out. Also you should still be reading this early enough to buy his advent calendar, which you should 100% do, it’s way healthier than the chocolate kind.
What’s on your Christmas list?
*Dear loved ones, please don’t read this post as me making hints at my own Christmas list!
