Ultimate Holiday Gift Ideas for Content Creators
Have you ever found yourself pondering what are the best Christmas gift ideas for content creators? It can be a daunting task, right? Well, you're not alone! After six years in the content creation game, friends and family frequently turn to me for advice on this very dilemma. So, I decided it was high time to compile a go-to list that satisfies their curiosity and helps fellow content creators on their gift-giving quests. I've included some pretty unique gift ideas that I know your creator friend will love.
I also reached out to some fellow content creators for their top picks. We are trying to keep most of these all under $100, but have included some more higher-end items if your creator friends have been particularly nice this year. Let's unwrap these best gifts and thoughtful ideas that will make this holiday season extra special for the content creators in your life.
Content Creator Gifts Under $100
If you have someone special in your life who wants to get started with a YouTube channel, Instagram, or TikTok as a content creator and you want to show you care, this list of gift ideas is for you. This list includes the perfect gift ideas for any family member or loved one for you to show support that will help them not only improve the quality of their videos but also improve their workflow.
Let's start this holiday gift guide with some of the most practical and useful items you can buy for a content creator under $100. This is a great price point to start at, as many of these gifts are super useful, and as a creator, we can't get enough of these items. I'm sure your content creator friend would agree.
Memory Cards
It seems like a small gift, but I'm always buying new memory cards for myself and can often find these on a great deal for Black Friday.
My personal choice has always been SanDisk Extreme Pro. You can pick up a 64GB for under $20 and 512GB for around $70. For most modern cameras, you'll want to go with the extreme pro or better, as they have a higher transfer speed, which is better for capturing higher quality video, such as 4k.
You’ll need a place to store them and a way of reading them, and this device from PGYTECH called the CreateMate High-Speed SD Card Reader, is a great option for storing multiple memory cards and also acts as the memory card reader. With a silicone case, it helps protect the precious memory cards from bangs and knocks.
External Hard Drives
Sticking with the need for memory or, in this case, storage such as an SSD drive and having an external SSD drive for editing from or backing up your latest creation. While online storage is a great idea, it's also super helpful to have fast, reliable external storage.
I have always used SanDisk SSD drives, but Samsung external SSD drives are also a popular choice. They can also be easily plugged into any laptop or phone for transferring files. It is also important to have good online storage, but that's something I talk about more in my Best Apps for Content Creators post.
Good Lighting to Improve Video Quality
Whatever device is being used to record, one of the best ways to improve quality is having good lighting. This is because adding lighting will mean the camera can use a lower ISO. Lower ISO when it comes to video means the image quality will be less grainy and, therefore, give a better quality video. This is hands down one of the best improvements that can be made to any setup when it comes to improving quality.
Good options under $100 are either a ring light or key light like the Neewer GL25B 12.9" Streaming Key Light that is bi-color is ideal, as this allows the warmth of the light to be adjusted. The bi-color option allows for the light to be changed from a warming glow to a more blue light.
Portable Battery-operated Lighting for Content Creators
For travel creators, portable light weight lighting is ideal and that’s why I picked up the SMALLRIG P96L RGB Video Light or the SMALLRIG RM120 RGB Video Light. I personally own both of these lights and use them all the time at home and as a key light when recording videos. Both of these offer hours of battery life for creating on the go, but can also be plugged into a USB Power bank for longer lighting.
Better Sound Quality
Improving audio quality is one of the best things any content creator can do. Help your content creator buddy's YouTube videos with the Blue Yeti USB microphone —it's a total game-changer. This sleek microphone isn't just about plugging in and playing; it's about bringing their content to life with crystal-clear audio. Simple USB connectivity means they can forget about tech headaches and focus on creating killer content. No more background noise hassles—just pure, unfiltered sound that keeps the audience hooked.
Helping improve the sound quality of a video is a real game changer that your friend will appreciate this holiday season.
If you are looking for something a little higher-end when it comes to sound, then check out the DJI Wireless Microphone. With a range of up to 250m, this is the perfect companion for recording videos when out and about vlogging or capturing interviews, as it comes with two receivers—one for the interviewer and one for the interviewee.
Weekly Planner to Keep on Task
If your friend is anything like me and a bit scatty and finds it hard to stay on task with planning content and keeping a list of them in one place, a weekly planner might just be the ultimate holiday treat for your content creator friend or family member.
Picture this: a weekly planner or journal, not just as a practical gift but as a creative sidekick. It's the secret sauce to keeping their brilliant ideas organized and ready to shine. From noting down the latest trends to planning their next video, this gift is like giving them a place to keep track of all their ideas. It's not just about planning; it's about helping them turn dreams into reality and keeping them on track to do so.
My favorite is the Regolden-Book Weekly Planner
Key things to look for in a weekly planner for content creators
It doesn't have set dates in
Can see a week on an open page
Allows for some customization
One that opens flat is ideal (has a loop binder)
If your friend is more of a digital planner, then check out my post on the best apps for content creators, where I talk about Motion as an AI content planner.
Portable Charger or Battery Pack
Make sure your friend is always ready to create and never runs out of battery charge. From small discrete battery chargers like Anker Nano Power Bank to the Anker USB-C Power Bank 323 Portable Charger, your friend will never have the excuse of running out of power again.
Online Courses - Gift of Learning
Give the gift of endless creativity with Skillshare! This great gift idea gives your friend access to a year of learning and growth for their content creation. Whether they're into crafting better social media posts, improving how they record videos, designing graphics, or perfecting their photography skills, Skillshare is the ultimate platform to fuel their creative journey. It's a ticket to a year of inspiration and skill-building that will help them grow as an online creator.
Imagine them unwrapping the potential to learn something new anytime, anywhere—be it during travels or those precious coffee breaks. It's a gift that keeps on giving, empowering them to explore and evolve as a content creator throughout the year ahead.
I use this a lot and also feature it on my Best Apps for Content Creators list.
Ultimate Content Creator Wishlist
Let's up this gift list with something a bit extra special. These items are your content creator friend that has been top of the nice list all year, and you want to treat them to say thank you and that you believe in them and their content creation journey. They might have had these items on their list for a while or have been saving for them.
Digital Camera or High-quality Camera
As a fellow content creator, there is no better feeling than unwrapping a new camera. The excitement of learning how it all works and the new adventures and videos you will capture with it. ahhh. Please can I be your friend if this is what you are getting them? haha.
Top of this list is Full Frame mirrorless Cameras like the Sony A7C, for a full frame camera (this is one I use and I love it). There is a new version, the Sony A7C ii or the Sony A7Cr. These cameras all capture amazing video and are ideal for both photography and video creators. The benefit of these cameras is that the lens is swappable and means there is the option of adding a Wide-angle lens (ideal for vloggers), but there is also a wide range of other Sony Lenses ideal for travel bloggers and content creators.
The Sony Alpha 6700 is the perfect camera if you are looking for something a little more compact and is a perfect camera for vlogging on, but you also want the option of swapping out the lens.
The benefits of this camera are:
In-body stabilization
26MP sensor
AI Autofocus (meaning you’ll never miss another shot).
4K recording downsampled from 6K quality at up to 30p (10bit, 4:2:2)
4K slow motion up to 120p
If I was starting out today, this is the camera that I would have at the top of my list. Aside from being a great photo camera, the Sony A6700 will deliver for any of your content creation needs.
Action Camera for Vlogging
When it comes to vlogging, a lot of creators are now using action cameras. These are small, lightweight options that offer great stabilization, but really, these are for your action content creators.
But if this is your jam, then the latest GoPro Hero or the DJI Osmo Action are the go-to action cameras. The difference between these is minimal, but I prefer the GoPro Hero 12 with the Max Lens Mod 2.0.
Ideal Compact Camera for Vloggers and Content Creators
If you are looking for a light weight stabilized option as a content creator, one option not to be sniffed at is the DJI Osmo Pocket. This is advertised as a Vlogging Camera with 1'' CMOS sensor for better low light performance and will record video at 4K/120fps and has a 3-axis gimbal Stabilization for buttery smooth footage.
With the latest version, you also get fast focusing and Face/Object Tracking. To be able to see what you are recording, you also get a 2" rotatable touchscreen that, when rotated, will start up quick capture, so you'll be ready to go in a second.
Gimbal for Your Mobile Phone
If your phone is your go-to camera of choice, then you might want to consider the Insta360 Flow or the DJI Osmo Mobile 6. Both of these mobile gambles offer AI active tracking, a 3-axis stabilization for your phone, and a built-in extension rod. They are Portable and Foldable for creators on the go.
I myself have the Insta 360 flow and never leave home without it. It's great for stabilization and capturing the panning timelapse, every vlogger needs in their video.
Both of these offer a Content creator kit option that includes lighting and additional accessories.
If you have found this guide useful, make sure you pin it, share it with a friend, and check out my guide to The Best Apps and Tools for Content Creators.