Quick answer: The best gifts for makers solve a small, real problem or start a new skill. Good picks are a beech kendama for screen-free downtime, a 16-piece watch-repair kit for the person who swaps their own straps, an over-stitch wheel for a budding leatherworker, a horse-hair shaving brush for a wet shaver, a leather skipping rope for fitness, and fine stork embroidery scissors for a stitcher.
People who make and mend things are hard to buy for. They already own the obvious tools, and they are fussy about the rest. The trick is to give something that either does one job better than what they have, or starts a new skill they have been meaning to try. Every idea below comes from our own range, and none of them is a gadget that ends up in a drawer.
For the fidgeter: a kendama
A kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy: a wooden handle with three cups and a spike, and a ball on a string. It is the ideal gift for anyone who spends their day at a screen or a bench and needs a ten-minute reset. Our blue-ball 5-way kendama is turned from solid beech with a smooth finish, and is listed at 18.5 cm tall with a 6 cm ball. It comes in several ball colours, and in 3-way and 5-way versions.
Good for: teenagers and adults, office desks, workshop tea breaks.
Check: a 5-way gives every catching point to grow into, while a 3-way is a cheaper first try.
For the watch enthusiast: a starter repair kit
Anyone who owns more than one watch eventually wants to change a strap or resize a bracelet without a trip to the shop. The 16-piece watch repair tool kit covers the common jobs: an adjustable two-pin case-back wrench, a link-pin pusher with holder block, a spring bar tool, fine tweezers, small screwdrivers and pin punches, and a dual-head hammer.
Good for: collectors and anyone who swaps straps by the season.
Check: for battery changes and more delicate work, our watch-repair guide (linked below) explains what to add next.
For the budding leatherworker: an over-stitch wheel
Hand-stitched leather looks professional when the stitches are evenly spaced, and that is exactly what an over-stitch wheel does. The leather over-stitch wheel system has a contoured wooden handle, three interchangeable wheels for different stitch spacings and a screwdriver for changing them. It is a small, satisfying upgrade for someone who has made a wallet or belt and wants the next one to look neater.
Good for: leathercraft beginners and improvers.
Check: pair it with a set of hole punch pliers if they do not already own some.
For the wet shaver: a horse-hair brush
A good brush is the part of a traditional shave that people most often under-buy. The 100% horse-hair shaving brush has a turned rosewood handle, and horse hair sits between the softness of badger and the firmness of boar. Add a double-walled stainless steel lather bowl and a rosewood brush stand from the same range to make a complete set.
Good for: anyone who already wet-shaves, or who has been talking about starting.
Check: the stand holds brushes with a knot of about 20–21 mm.
For the New Year resolution: a leather skipping rope
A leather skipping rope is the classic conditioning tool for boxers and a compact, cheap way to train at home. The pro leather skipping rope has polished wooden handles, smooth-rotating pivots and an adjustable length. The leather's weight helps build rhythm in a way a light PVC rope does not.
Good for: boxers, runners and anyone after a garage or garden workout.
Check: set the length to the user's height before wrapping it up, or include a note on how to adjust it.
For the stitcher: fine embroidery scissors
A pair of decorative embroidery scissors is a small gift that gets used every day. The stork embroidery scissors are the traditional design, in stainless steel with a gold-plated finish, 90 mm long with fine points for snipping threads close to the fabric. The same range includes butterfly, cat, swan and floral designs if the recipient has a favourite.
Good for: cross-stitchers, embroiderers and quilters, or as a stocking filler for anyone with a sewing box.
Stocking fillers and extras
- Seafood shears with tong ends for the Christmas table, whether lobster, crab or langoustine.
- A training treat pouch for the dog owner, with a waist clip, shoulder strap and a dispenser for waste bags.
- A 0–25 mm micrometer for the model engineer who still measures with a ruler.
- Bull-nose safety scissors for tidy moustaches and eyebrows.
Buying tips for tool gifts
- Ask a sideways question. "What tool do you borrow most?" tells you what is missing.
- Buy the upgrade, not the duplicate. A better version of a tool they use often beats a novelty.
- Include a note on what the tool does and a link to a guide. It turns a gadget into a project.
- Order early. December post gets busy, so give yourself time before the last posting days.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Christmas gift for someone who likes making things?
Choose something that either does one job better than what they already have, or starts a new skill. Good examples are an over-stitch wheel for a leatherworker, a starter watch-repair kit for someone who changes their own straps, or a beech kendama for downtime away from a screen.
Is a kendama a good present for adults?
Yes. Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy that adults and teenagers enjoy as a short break from screens or the workbench. A full-size beech kendama, such as our 5-way models at 18.5 cm tall with a 6 cm ball, suits adult hands, and the first tricks can be learned in minutes.
What should I buy someone who wants to start wet shaving?
A good brush is the part people most often under-buy. A 100% horse-hair brush with a rosewood handle works up a rich lather, and a double-walled stainless steel lather bowl and a brush stand make it a complete gift set.
When should I order Christmas gifts from Toolsmith?
Order as early as you can, because December post gets busy. Delivery is free across the UK on every order, and we aim to dispatch orders placed before 2pm UK time, Monday to Friday, the same working day. Unused items can be returned within 30 days.
Everything above ships from the UK with free UK delivery on every order, and we aim to dispatch orders placed before 2pm UK time, Monday to Friday, the same working day. Unused items can be returned within 30 days. Order early for Christmas.
