Christmas Eve is looming but there is still time to pick up a present or two if you haven’t quite finished your Christmas list. If you need ideas for the creative person in your life – and are in a hurry – we’ve come up with a few suggestions, and where you can get them today.
Cricut Joy
€136 (usually €190)
Homemade cards? Nailed it. Personalised banners? Sorted. Labelling every item you own with your own personalised designs? Simple. All you need is the Cricut Joy and a few supplies. The mini cutting machine will cut a variety of more than 50 materials, from card and paper to vinyl and faux leather, and when teamed with its DesignSpace software, you can create your own designs and projects.
The Joy connects over bluetooth, so you use the software on your laptop, tablet or smartphone. It is easy enough for a child to master – although there are sharp blades to replace, so it's not one for younger users unsupervised.
Where to get it: Harvey Norman
Polaroid CandyPlay 3D pen
€42
Remember the 3D pens that hit the market a few years ago? There is another option: the Polaroid CandyPlay 3D Pen, which allows you to “draw “ your own sweets and treats. The edible creations are sugar free and vegan-friendly, and come in six flavours. All you need is replacement cartridges in the flavour of your choice, and a bit of imagination.
It charges over USB too, and the design means it's easy to grip for both right and left-handed users.
Where to buy it: Art and Hobby
YouStar Ring light dimmable
€25
Budding TikTok, YouTube and Instagram stars will appreciate a bit of extra light to make their content look a bit more professional. The YouStar Ring Light comes with a table-top tripod, has variable colour tones, and three brightness modes to make it the perfect addition for your tutorial videos or photography. The 26cm ring light uses a USB power supply, and the adjustable arm allows it to bend to your required angle.
Where to buy: Harvey Norman
Craftsy
$80 for the year
Sometimes we need a bit of help on the skills side of things, whether it's refining our existing ones or developing some new ones. That's where an online library of craft classes can help. Craftsy offers more than 1,500 classes in various topics from quilting and sewing to cake decorating and paper crafting.
You can also share your membership with up to three family members, which makes it a gift for the family.
Where to buy: Craftsy.com
