Choosing a Secret Santa gift for an artist is easier when you start with how they like to create. This list includes options for painters, illustrators, printmakers, and makers, plus practical studio helpers.
17 Christmas Gift Ideas for Artists
1. XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Drawing Tablet
For a Digital Art Upgrade
XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Drawing Tablet
- 13.3-inch display drawing tablet that connects to a computer or laptop.
- Includes a battery-free stylus with tilt support and a pen holder with replacement nibs.
- Red dial and eight shortcut keys can be customized for common actions.
Best For: Digital artists who want to draw directly on a screen.
2. MEEDEN 120-Color Oil-Based Colored Pencils
For a Color-Rich Sketchbook
MEEDEN 120-Color Oil-Based Colored Pencils
- Set includes 120 oil-based colored pencils with named colors.
- Pencil cores are described as smooth-gliding and high-density.
- Sturdy metal tin keeps the set together for classes or sketching.
Best For: Illustrators and coloring enthusiasts who enjoy detailed work.
3. ALVIN Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 24 × 36 in
For a Roomier Craft Surface
ALVIN Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 24 × 36 in
- Reversible mat has a self-healing surface with gridded sides.
- Graduated markings include 1/8-inch hash marks along all four edges.
- Made for rotary and straight utility knives.
Best For: Paper artists, printmakers, and crafters who cut materials at a worktable.
4. LEHOM Rolling Storage Cart with 8 Drawers
For a Tidier Art Corner
LEHOM Rolling Storage Cart with 8 Drawers
- Eight drawers provide space for art materials, fabric, or small tools.
- Swivel casters make it easy to move between work areas; some wheels lock.
- Wooden tabletop adds a flat surface for supplies or decorations.
Best For: Artists who want supplies organized and close at hand.
5. A3 USB-Powered LED Tracing Light Pad
For Transferring Sketches
A3 USB-Powered LED Tracing Light Pad
- Slim A3 light pad has a touch-sensitive brightness control.
- USB cable powers the board from a USB source; it does not have a built-in battery.
- Listed uses include sketching, calligraphy, stenciling, and sewing projects.
Best For: Illustrators and crafters who trace or transfer designs.
6. Caliart 100-Color Alcohol Marker Set
For Bold Illustration Color
Caliart 100-Color Alcohol Marker Set
- Set includes 100 colors, including a colorless blender, with fine and chisel tips.
- Color-coded caps and a carrying case help organize the markers.
- Alcohol ink may bleed through regular coloring paper.
Best For: Illustrators who like working with broad strokes and fine details.
7. Grabie 100-Color Watercolor Set with Brush Pens
For Painting Away from the Desk
Grabie 100-Color Watercolor Set with Brush Pens
- Includes 100 watercolor shades, including metallic, macaron, and fluorescent colors.
- Set comes with three water brush pens, a pencil, sponge, and swatch sheet.
- Compact metal case is designed for carrying.
Best For: Watercolor painters who enjoy taking supplies on the go.
8. Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Kit
For Handmade Prints and Stamps
Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Kit
- Kit includes four linoleum blocks, printing ink, a brayer, and a baren.
- Six carving blades fit a handle with built-in storage.
- Transfer papers, rubbing papers, and an illustrated instruction manual are included.
Best For: Artists curious about carving blocks for cards, stamps, or prints.
9. JJRING Art Portfolio Tote, 25 × 37 in
For Carrying Large Artwork
JJRING Art Portfolio Tote, 25 × 37 in
- Sized to hold most 24 × 36-inch artwork; check the artist’s work size first.
- Zippered bag has a front pocket for small art supplies.
- Lightweight tote folds into a small square when not in use.
Best For: Artists who carry large drawings, posters, or canvases between places.
10. FIXSMITH Primed 8 × 10-Inch Canvases, 12 Pack
For More Painting Sessions
FIXSMITH Primed 8 × 10-Inch Canvases, 12 Pack
- Pack contains twelve 8 × 10-inch cotton canvases on pinewood bars.
- Each canvas is triple-primed with acrylic gesso.
- Suitable for oil, acrylic, and other painting media.
Best For: Painters who practice often or like having canvases ready to use.
11. Beechwood Adjustable Tabletop Easel
For a Desk-Sized Painting Setup
Beechwood Adjustable Tabletop Easel
- A-frame easel adjusts from 11 to 22½ inches high.
- Folding design and 0.9-pound weight make it portable.
- Rubber feet and a support groove hold a canvas or photo frame on a desk.
Best For: Artists who paint or display work on a tabletop.
12. Rechargeable Electric Pencil Sharpener
For Keeping Drawing Pencils Ready
Rechargeable Electric Pencil Sharpener
- Designed for standard 6–8 mm graphite and colored pencils.
- Three settings adjust the point from sharp to blunt.
- Rechargeable battery powers the sharpener; USB cable is included, charging head is not.
Best For: Artists who regularly sharpen graphite or colored pencils.
13. SUIN Gold, Silver, and White Metallic Gel Pens
For Highlights on Dark Paper
SUIN Gold, Silver, and White Metallic Gel Pens
- Three opaque ink colors: gold, silver, and white.
- Broad 1.0 mm tips suit bold highlights, calligraphy, and expressive strokes.
- Capped design helps protect the ink from drying out.
Best For: Journal artists and illustrators who add bright accents to their work.
14. Falling in Art 8-Well Ceramic Palette
For a Dedicated Mixing Palette
Falling in Art 8-Well Ceramic Palette
- Seven-inch white ceramic palette has eight wells.
- Suitable for mixing watercolor, gouache, acrylic, or oil paint.
- Smooth porcelain surface is designed to be easy to clean.
Best For: Painters who want separate wells for mixing colors.
15. Benicci 12-Piece Synthetic Paint Brush Set
For a Versatile Brush Refresh
Benicci 12-Piece Synthetic Paint Brush Set
- Twelve brushes include flat, round, fan, and filbert shapes.
- Nylon bristles are intended for acrylic, oil, and watercolor painting.
- Wooden handles have an ergonomic rounded shape.
Best For: Painters who work across several media and techniques.
16. Adjustable Folding Floor Easel with Tray
For Larger Canvas Work
Adjustable Folding Floor Easel with Tray
- Height adjusts from 20 to 61 inches for painting or display.
- Folds to 22½ inches long for carrying or storage.
- Includes a tray and a hanging bucket for added stability.
Best For: Painters who work standing or display larger canvases.
17. WEP Dual-Pen Wood Burning Kit
For Drawing Designs in Wood
- Kit includes two detachable pens, 20 wire-nib tips, and two wood pieces.
- Temperature adjusts from 250 to 750°C, with an LED display.
- Rated for 110–127V, 60Hz; the supplied notes say not to connect it to 220V.
Best For: Makers interested in pyrography on wood or leather.
Choosing a Secret Santa Gift for an Artist
Start by thinking about the artist’s usual medium and where they work. A painter may appreciate brushes, a palette, canvases, or an easel; someone who draws may make better use of colored pencils, markers, or a sharpener. A digital artist has different needs, such as a drawing tablet, while a printmaker might enjoy a linocut kit or a cutting mat. If you are unsure what they already own, a practical organizer, portfolio tote, or portable accessory can still support their creative routine.
Pay attention to how the gift will fit into their workspace. A rolling cart takes floor space, and the 24 × 36-inch cutting mat needs a broad, flat surface. A tabletop easel is more compact, while a folding floor easel suits someone who paints standing or displays larger work. For artists who move between home, school, or studio, portable supplies such as the watercolor set or portfolio tote may be particularly useful.
Set a Budget That Fits the Exchange
Secret Santa budgets vary, so use the agreed limit as your guide and consider how complete a gift feels at that scale. A three-pen metallic set, ceramic palette, or sharpener can make a focused present without requiring a large purchase. Multipacks of canvases, brushes, and colored pencils offer more materials in one package, while a drawing tablet, storage cart, or easel is a larger studio addition. You do not need to match the size of someone’s art practice; a tool that fits one regular task can be a thoughtful gift.
For an especially low-key exchange, choose a useful item that does not presume a particular style. Canvases, brushes, storage, and carrying equipment support many kinds of projects. More specialized gifts, such as alcohol markers, watercolors, or woodburning tools, are best when you know the recipient uses or wants to explore that medium.
Check Compatibility and Personalization
Before choosing a specialized tool, check the recipient’s materials and setup. The XPPen tablet needs a computer or laptop, so it is worth confirming that the artist has a compatible device and a place to use it. The tracing light pad needs a USB power source and will not work unplugged. The woodburning kit is specified for 110–127V, 60Hz power, so confirm the recipient’s electrical setup before gifting it.
Size and medium matter, too. The portfolio tote is intended for most 24 × 36-inch artwork, but the recipient’s pieces should be checked against that size. The easels suit different working styles: one sits on a tabletop, while the other adjusts to a floor-standing height. For materials, consider whether the artist prefers watercolor, acrylic, oil, or dry media. If you are unsure, a versatile brush set or organizer can be easier to match than a specialized paint set.
Personalization can come from how you present the gift. Pair a tool with a short note recognizing the kind of art they make, or write a few words on a card that can be used for sketches. Keep the message warm and specific without making assumptions about their ambitions or skill level. The aim is to make their creative time easier or more enjoyable.
Timing and Last-Minute Decisions
For Christmas shopping, allow time to confirm dimensions, power needs, and whether a larger item will suit the recipient’s space. If you are deciding late, favor a gift whose purpose is clear from its materials and form: a brush set for painting, a pencil set for drawing, or a portfolio for transporting artwork. A practical supply can feel considered even without festive styling.
When time is short, choose based on what you already know rather than guessing at a niche medium. If you have seen the artist paint, draw, or carry work to classes, let that clue guide you. If not, look to everyday studio needs such as organization or a general-purpose accessory. A useful Secret Santa gift for an artist does not need to be elaborate; it should simply fit the way they create.