Well HELLO there Fall, & right around the corner, WINTER! This time of year always means a couple of things to me… slowing down, resting & getting ready for the yearly reset, Holiday time with friends & family, and of course GIFT GIVING. Now, there are loads of ways to show people you love them – kind words of praise, spending time with them, doing activities they enjoy… & plenty more of course… However, I have found that my love language is gift giving! Sometimes I find the perfect item through the year, or brainstorm on something handmade… sometimes it’s a sweet treat! Whichever seems to fit the bill, I NEVER tire of handing over something specifically picked out for someone near & dear.
Now before you come at me, I KNOW it’s a weird year! I KNOW things can be tight, and I KNOW that gift giving isn’t EVERYONE’s love language. & all mentioned things are aOk! If you find this little list I’ve put together useful, great! I’m trying to make notes of awesome things I’ve found to make gift giving easier thought the last few years. A couple experience type ideas, a couple purchasable ideas (may be affiliate links,) a few support small business suggestions! & even some handmade ideas <3
+ + + First – I’ve got a personal lil plug here : I have put together a new Junk Journal kit that INCLUDES my Book Bones workshop — grab a kit (or 2) to gift & plan an afternoon for a fun TO DO w/ your friend! You can also reach out to me to coordinate any gift boxes you’d like to put together featuring UmWowStudio + ephemera! email me : umwowstudio@gmail.com : with a list of your desires & I’ll see what I can pull together for you! Check out this new kit, tho!! :
Experiences
Things I consider a good time!
- Tickets to a movie.
- An afternoon plan to a local botanical garden or preserve.
- A spa day — nothing like relaxing with a loved one, professional OR homemade.
- Even a planned date day in — bring on the charcuterie boards & stupid TV.
Handmade Ideas:
Easy peasy but meaningful things you can craft yourself to gift.
- Candles — if you’ve got the set up candles have become seriously gorgeous & personalized!
- A mix tape : whatever that looks like now, maybe a seasonal / holiday themed one, or something reminds you of said person! send ’em a spotify or youtube playlist <3
- FOOD : I won’t give you any specific links, but nothing beats getting a handmade box of goodies : fudge, cookies, caramels, shortbread, nut mixes, chex mix… all of the above!
- Also! Consider joining us for The Sharing Season where we share TONS of fun handmade holiday ideas! : https://theuglyartclub.teachable.com/p/thesharingseason25
Art Supplies
A few useful things I always have on hand – I’m listing tools rather than color or type specific materials.
- Travel sized press : https://umwowstudio.com/product/umwow-travel-press/
- This file set for sanding edges on book covers & thicker projects : https://amzn.to/4r3CfrJ
- A Speedball stamp carving tool : https://amzn.to/49lMwsV
- This brother sewing machine w/ 60 built in stitches : https://amzn.to/47UUFSG
- A screw-hole punch for pesky tougher than normal materials : https://amzn.to/3JtRHwo
Small shops by Artists I enjoy buying from!
It’s a mixture of handmade goods, artsy workshops, beautiful art turned products +more!
- *Altered States Studio : Kristin Peterson : https://www.etsy.com/shop/alteredstatesstudio
- *Southern Gals Designs : Tiffany Goff Smith : https://southerngalsdesigns.com/
- Eleven Acre : Rachel Shepherd : https://www.etsy.com/shop/eleventhacreshop
- Tina Walker Studio : https://www.etsy.com/shop/FrogDogStudio
- Dori Patrick : https://www.etsy.com/shop/doripatrickart
*These girls also have their own buyer’s guides going! pop on over to see ^_^