A Gift Guide for Creative Souls (and Those Who’d Like to Be)

by Marjorie McMillian

Whether you are already a creative soul looking to foster an existing interest or you’re seeking a little more creativity in your hobbies and life in general, there are always good options for stocking up on products and services that will help you on that journey. Here are some gifts you should consider adding to your wish list, brought to you by Belladonna’s Books.

Take some musical lessons

There’s no wrong or right musical instrument to take up if you’re looking to broaden your horizons and learn a new skill. Musical education is something that anyone can learn, and it provides the learner with a bevy of new skills and experiences.  Plus, it’s just really fun!

If you’re looking for something a little outside the mainstream, you could consider taking up the ukulele. It’s a great instrument that will give you a solid foundation for learning other stringed instruments. Although you might associate the instrument with Hawaiian vacations, it has proven more than versatile enough for rock royalty.  In a 2003 tribute to his late friend and former Beatle, George Harrison,  Paul McCartney played a ukulele on a performance of Harrison’s “Something.”  If you are interested in exploring this unique instrument, research the best ukulele to find the one that suits your preferences and budget.

Learn a new language

Few things are more beneficial than expanding your fluency. There are plenty of free apps out there to help (like Duolingo), but for a true language learning experience you may need paid software, classes, or even immersion. Consider using a language learning program,enrolling in local language classes, or even making a trip to a country where your target language is spoken (if you want to go big).

For the artistic type, improve your medium

If you’re a physical artist, you may be thinking about how you can expand your horizons by creating art in a different medium. One high-tech way to try something new is with a digital sketching device like the iSketchnote. With this cool gadget, you can sketch on a touch-sensitive board and have your paper creations digitized instantly. If low-quality tools are holding you back, put some better ones on your birthday, holiday, or anniversary wish list. Try Prismacolor or Derwent. If paint is your preferred medium, you might want to try acrylic paints. The Spruce points out they are quick drying and easy to clean, and can be used on a wide range of materials.

Boost your moviemaking

There is a lot of free video editing software out there, and some of these programs are really solid.  But if you have decided to make your own movies, you are going to need professional software. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, Roxio Creator, and the classic standby Sony Vegas Pro are all great options if you’re a budding filmmaker looking to up your game.

Power your creativity

Not all creative types pray at the altar of caffeine, but many do. The creative’s life is often filled with late nights and early mornings, and whether you’re feeling like creating or you need the motivation to do so, there’s a good chance that the almighty coffee is a trusted friend. If you power through coffee anyway, you might as well drink the good stuff–and a variety of it. Since you often can’t justify spending money on fancy coffee, let someone else do it for you. The next time a gift-giving situation is approaching, ask for a subscription to a coffee delivery service. 

Also, don’t rule out the power of getting some fresh air and sunlight. Spend some time outdoors every day, and keep those curtains open to let natural light fill your creative space. Sunlight helps improve your mood and can lower stress levels, both of which are important when you’re feeling creative. So, find a way to spend some time creating outside, and if your dirty windows are keeping you from enjoying that sunshine, look for a professional on sites like Angi that have customer reviews from people who have used them before.

Don’t feel compelled to limit your wish list to items you need. It’s okay to be a little whimsical and wish for things you truly want. Use this opportunity to ask  for products and services that will foster your creativity or set you down a path to something entirely new.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

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