Looking for Secret Santa gift ideas for an artist? Useful tools and materials can suit many creative styles, whether they work digitally, paint, draw, or make prints.
This list ranges from compact essentials to larger studio upgrades. If you’re unsure what they use, consider their medium and workspace before choosing.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Artists
1. XPPen Artist 16 3rd Drawing Tablet
A Screen for Digital Sketching
XPPen Artist 16 3rd Drawing Tablet
- 15.4-inch FHD pen display with etched anti-glare glass.
- Includes a stylus, foldable stand, shortcut keys, and two scroll wheels.
- Compatible with Mac, Windows, Android, ChromeOS, and Linux.
Best For: Digital illustrators who want to draw directly on a display.
2. Adjustable LED Desk Lamp
Flexible Light for the Art Desk
- Adjustable 28.2-inch gooseneck and three light bars.
- Brightness dims from 1% to 100%; color temperature adjusts from 2700K to 6500K.
- Auxiliary bars rotate, and the lamp has touch controls and a memory function.
Best For: Artists who draw, paint, or craft at a desk.
3. Ohuhu 200-Color Alcohol Marker Set
A Big Palette for Illustration
Ohuhu 200-Color Alcohol Marker Set
- Includes 200 colors and one colorless blender.
- Double-ended markers have fine and chisel tips.
- Alcohol-based ink dries quickly; markers are refillable.
Best For: Illustrators and coloring enthusiasts who enjoy working in color.
4. Falling in Art Adjustable Tabletop Easel
A Compact Easel for Small Works
Falling in Art Adjustable Tabletop Easel
- Beechwood easel folds for compact storage or portability.
- Board angle adjusts from flat to 80 degrees.
- Holds work up to 22.5 inches and can also display art or photos.
Best For: Painters or illustrators who want tabletop support for smaller projects.
5. Bobblebro Linocut Starter Kit
A Hands-On Printmaking Kit
- Includes four linoleum blocks, carving tools, brayer, baren, ink plate, and papers.
- Six blade options support different carving details.
- Water-soluble black ink cleans with soap and water.
Best For: Artists curious about carving stamps, cards, and handmade prints.
6. 14-Piece Canvas Assortment
Fresh Surfaces for Painting
- Assortment includes rectangular and round canvases in several sizes.
- Blank canvases are primed with acrylic gesso.
- Listed for acrylic, oil, watercolor, tempera, and gouache paints.
Best For: Painters who like having varied canvas sizes ready to use.
7. REDSHELL 26-Piece Paint Brush Set
Brush Variety for the Studio
REDSHELL 26-Piece Paint Brush Set
- Set includes 25 brushes and a palette knife in multiple shapes.
- Nylon bristles are paired with wooden handles.
- The case opens into a standing holder and zips closed for carrying.
Best For: Painters who work with acrylic, watercolor, or mixed media.
8. Schmincke HORADAM 48-Color Watercolor Set
A Portable Watercolor Palette
Schmincke HORADAM 48-Color Watercolor Set
- Contains 48 half pans in a metal box with an integrated mixing palette.
- The set includes both opaque and transparent colors.
- Pans can be refilled with HORADAM AQUARELL tube color.
Best For: Watercolor painters who want a broad palette in a compact box.
9. Prismacolor Premier 150 Colored Pencils
Color for Layered Drawing
Prismacolor Premier 150 Colored Pencils
- Set includes 150 assorted colors in a storage case.
- Soft cores are suited to shading and smooth color laydown.
- Pencils are described for sketching, coloring, and art projects.
Best For: Artists who enjoy detailed drawing and controlled color.
10. TOPOWN Mini Linocut Press
A Manual Press for Printmaking
- Manual lever press is compatible with A5 paper and blocks up to 25 mm thick.
- Includes a rubber roller, felt pad, rubber pad, and wrenches; blocks are not included.
- Designed for linocut, woodcut, and rubber relief printing.
Best For: Printmakers who want a hand-operated way to press relief prints.
11. Datacolor Spyder X Pro Monitor Calibrator
More Consistent Screen Color
Datacolor Spyder X Pro Monitor Calibrator
- Calibration software includes 12 predefined targets and a wizard workflow.
- Supports calibration of multiple laptop and desktop monitors.
- SpyderProof compares a display before and after calibration using personal images.
Best For: Digital artists who want to calibrate their computer displays.
How to Choose a Gift for an Artist
Start with the way the recipient likes to make art. Digital illustrators may appreciate a pen display or monitor calibrator, while someone who paints traditionally could use canvases, brushes, an easel, or watercolors. For a creative person whose preferred medium you don’t know, look for adaptable supplies: colored pencils, a brush assortment, or a range of blank canvases can fit more than one project.
Think about whether the gift invites experimentation or supports an established practice. The linocut kit gathers carving and printing materials into one package, which makes it a natural introduction to block printing. The mini press is a more specialized tool for someone already interested in printmaking; its listing says blocks are not included. Matching the gift to their experience can help it feel considered rather than imposing a new hobby.
Match the Gift to Your Budget
Set a comfortable spending limit before comparing gifts. Small consumables and drawing materials are often easier to give as Secret Santa presents, while electronic tools and larger studio equipment may be a better fit when the group budget allows for a more substantial gift. The supplied list includes both everyday creative materials and equipment for a dedicated workspace, so you can choose by scale without assuming that a higher price means a more personal choice.
If you’re uncertain, favor something the recipient can use alongside their existing supplies. A set of colored pencils, markers, or canvases offers materials to use up in projects. For someone with a clearly established digital or printmaking practice, a tool may feel more tailored, provided you know it suits their setup.
Check Compatibility and Personalization
Compatibility matters most with digital gifts. The XPPen display lists support for Mac, Windows, Android, ChromeOS, and Linux, but the recipient should still confirm that their particular device and preferred software work with it. The Spyder X Pro is intended for laptop and desktop monitors, so it makes sense for an artist who edits work on a computer. These tools are thoughtful choices when you know something about the person’s equipment; otherwise, general-purpose art materials may be simpler.
Personalization can come from matching a material to a favorite process. Choose watercolors for someone who paints with washes, markers for an illustrator who enjoys bold color, or a printmaking kit for a person who likes carving and making repeatable designs. Even a practical lamp or easel can feel personal when it suits how they use their workspace. Avoid guessing at specialized preferences such as a particular brand of paint or tablet unless you have a reliable clue.
Plan Timing and Last-Minute Decisions
For Christmas, give yourself time to check the exact item details and the recipient’s setup, especially for equipment with compatibility requirements. Product availability and delivery dates can change, so confirm those directly when ordering rather than relying on a general guide. For a last-minute Secret Santa decision, a clearly useful supply set may be easier to choose than a screen, calibrator, or press that depends on a specific workspace or technique.
When there’s little time to learn about their preferences, choose based on what you already know: their medium, whether they work at home or on the go, and whether they make physical or digital art. A gift does not need Christmas decorations to feel festive. A well-matched tool or material can give an artist something useful to enjoy long after the holiday.