After a year full of noise, deadlines, and constant scrolling, the holiday season can feel less like a break and more like one last sprint. But this year, instead of pouring a glass of wine to unwind, what if you picked up a paint pen, some clay, or a pair of knitting needles?
Crafting offers something that alcohol and screen time never can – calm with purpose. Studies show that creative activities like painting, colouring, and knitting can lower stress, reduce anxiety, and boost overall happiness. When we use our hands to make something, we step out of our heads and into the present moment – exactly where peace lives.
This idea isn’t new. Arts and crafts have long played a therapeutic role in supporting mental health. Whether in hospitals, community groups, or at home, creating something tangible can help people manage emotions, find flow, and reconnect with themselves.
Why Crafting Works for Mental Health
- Emotional Expression: Art gives people a safe outlet for feelings they might struggle to express verbally – sadness, frustration, or anxiety can all be channelled into colour, texture, or form.
- Stress Reduction and Mindfulness: The repetitive, sensory nature of crafting helps quiet the mind and invites focus. The “flow” state that follows reduces cortisol and encourages calm.
- Achievement and Self-Worth: Finishing a creative project (no matter how small) builds confidence and self-esteem – both crucial to emotional wellbeing.
- Connection: Group or family crafting fosters social belonging and shared accomplishment, countering loneliness and isolation.
- Accessibility: Crafting is inclusive – you don’t need expensive supplies or special talent. It’s about the process, not perfection.
Crafting is often used in mental-health care settings – from occupational therapy to trauma recovery – because it encourages focus, skill-building, and emotional regulation. But you don’t need to be in therapy to experience the benefits. A quiet evening colouring, knitting, or working on a puzzle at home can have the same calming effects.
Ultimately, the article reminds us that crafting helps us slow down. It pulls us away from screens and instant gratification and gives us something real, something to touch, hold, and finish. It’s the mindful alternative to “unwinding” with alcohol – one that leaves you recharged rather than drained.
Top 5 Creative Brands to Help You Unwind This Holiday Season
Whether you’re crafting for mindfulness, bonding time, or pure creative joy, these five brands offer beautiful, accessible ways to end your year feeling calmer and more grounded.
1. Life of Colour – Painting, Colouring, and Mindful Art Kits
When it comes to turning creativity into calm, few brands capture it as beautifully as Life of Colour.
Life of Colour was born from the simple idea that art should be accessible, joyful, and deeply mindful. Each kit is designed to help you step away from life’s chaos and reconnect with your inner calm – through colour, pattern, and play.
Their painting and colouring kits aren’t about “being artistic” – they’re about letting go. As soon as you unbox one, you’re greeted with vibrant paint pens, beautifully illustrated wooden art boards, and inspiring designs that encourage focus, flow, and freedom. The brand’s bestsellers, like their Mandala Painting Kits and 3D Layered Mandalas, invite you to sink into slow, satisfying detail work that naturally lowers your heart rate and quiets the mind.
But what truly sets Life of Colour apart is their mission beyond art – promoting creativity as a form of mental wellbeing. The brand has built a thriving online community of thousands who use their kits for mindfulness, therapy, and family connection.
🖌️ What they offer: Mandala and mystical art boards and wooden coasters, 3D layered mandalas, colouring books, functional art kits (like tote bags, bottles, and mugs), and a range of premium paint pens.
💖 Why it helps: Painting with guided outlines and tactile materials helps you enter a “flow” state – the same mindful focus achieved through meditation. The act of creating, rather than consuming, gives your brain space to rest and recharge.
🎁 Perfect for: Individuals seeking mindful “me-time,” parents looking for creative family moments, or anyone wanting a meaningful, screen-free gift this season.
2. Pott’d – DIY Pottery and Clay Kits
Pott’d brings pottery out of the studio and into your home. Their clay and ceramic paint kits are simple, tactile, and deeply soothing. There’s something magical about rolling, shaping, and painting your own little clay creations.
🎨 What they offer: Air-dry pottery kits, ceramic paints, tools, and inspiration for personalised home décor pieces.
💖 Why it helps: The sensory nature of clay work grounds you – literally. Feeling the texture in your hands is calming, physical, and almost meditative.
3. We Are Knitters – Knitting and Crochet Kits
Few things are more comforting than the rhythm of knitting needles. We Are Knitters offers stylish, sustainable kits that make it easy for beginners or experts to create something cozy while calming the mind.
🧶 What they offer: Yarn, needles, and easy-to-follow patterns for scarves, sweaters, and blankets.
💖 Why it helps: Knitting and crocheting are known to reduce anxiety, improve focus, and create a sense of accomplishment through repetition and progress.
4. Hubman and Chubgirl – Stickers, Journaling, and Wholesome Art Supplies
For those who find joy in small, cute details, Hubman and Chubgirl is a creative wonderland. Their adorable stationery, sticker packs, and journaling kits add lightness and play to mindfulness.
✨ What they offer: Journals, stickers, stationery sets, and colouring pages.
💖 Why it helps: Playful, low-pressure creativity helps you relax without overthinking. Perfect for evening wind-downs or journaling sessions.
5. Cloudberries – Beautiful, Design-Led Puzzles
For puzzle lovers, Cloudberries turns mindfulness into design. Their stunning jigsaw puzzles feature bold, modern art and premium materials – perfect for slow, screen-free evenings.
🧩 What they offer: Artist-collaboration puzzles, gradient designs, and eco-friendly packaging.
💖 Why it helps: Puzzles promote focus, patience, and satisfaction. Piece by piece, you train your brain to stay present – the ultimate antidote to stress.
Craft, Don’t Cope
When the year’s chaos finally slows, don’t rush to fill the silence – create in it.
Each stroke, stitch, or puzzle piece is a reminder that peace doesn’t come from escape; it comes from presence.
So this holiday season, skip the cocktails and pick up some clay, colour, yarn, or a brush instead.
Your mind and your nervous system will thank you.
