Relaxation has been an elusive friend for many of us over the years. For busy professional people, life used to be an endless hamster wheel of work, family and social commitments.
And then the pandemic happened. Collectively it turned our worlds upside down, but it also gave many of us an unprecedented moment of pause. Time to reflect. Time to slow down. And suddenly – time to fill.
For those of you who like the sense of accomplishment and enjoy the process, who care about the design and are looking for a creative outlet, who want to feel relaxed and need help with stress and mood:
we've created a list of creative gifts (for you, or to offer this Christmas!) from some of our favorite small businesses. They will help you feel relaxed and inspired, and are at the same time, a (very good) excuse to move you away from the endless scrolling in our phones.
1. Sculpd Pottery Kit
A Sculpd Pottery Kit contains everything you'll need to sculpt, carve, air-dry and waterproof your own pinch pots, succulent plant pots, trinket dishes, vases, candle holders, sculptures, wall hangings and everything in between.
According to the Sculpd team, "clay is wonderful! Creating with clay is a sensory experience that relaxes the mind by disconnecting our thoughts with the exterior, allowing us to focus only on the material in our hands."
2. Ordinary Habit Artful Puzzles
Ordinary Habit was founded with a simple purpose: to create artful objects, designed to be both fun and functional, that would help people access habitual moments of calm and connectedness. They believe in the transformative nature of something perfectly ordinary: daily play.
The beautiful products they offer are meant to serve as both a reason to gather together with friends, and as an escape for individuals in search of quietude – games to be brought out at a party, or used as a form of tactile meditation throughout your day.
3. Coloring with Rachel Castle
We absolutely love everything that Rachel Castle creates! During the pandemic lockdowns, she started releasing free coloring artworks for everyone.
What used to be known as a simple, fun activity for kids, coloring is now a tool for practicing good mental health.
Checkout the example below, and in her website you'll find many other amazing examples that will sure bring you moments of relaxation and peace.
4. Really Truly Actually & Fully All Over It, Like Actually
Another amazing product by Rachel Castle, because we love her so much (yes, we are reinforcing it, because we want you to love her too! :))
The first time she launched this 2022 journal, it sold out in 20 minutes! Do yourself a favor and follow Rachel for a daily blast of color and creativity in your IG feed, and oh, we love her humor and the way she writes so much!
We almost forgot the most important part: why journaling? It is powerful tool for self-reflection and self-awareness. According to these experts, journaling does more than just help you record your memories or find self-expression. It’s good for your health.
5. Wool and the Gang Beginner Knitting Kits
Knitting bring me joyful memories from childhood, as it was the first needle craft technique that I've learned from my mother.
Although needlepoint embroidery is my favorite needle craft activity, one thing that I have on my to-do list is to remember the basic skills of knitting and create a warm and beautiful scarf for me with a WATG Beginner Kit.
Why Wool and the Gang? I love everything about their mission (and their tagline "Fashion Made by You"), the products they create, and overall, how their brand makes me feel!
6. Artist-Designed Needlepoint Kit
And finally, we couldn't finish this post by not recommending you our needlepoint kits. For us they are the perfect activity to unwind, but since we are biased, we leave you here the reviews from our lovely customers!
We want to give people an antidote to modern life. The ability to not only to find their inner calm and creativity, but to make something truly unique with their own hands in the process, which they can treasure for a lifetime.
