The $16 Etsy Gift Our Readers Can’t Stop Buying

At the beginning of April, after the pandemic hit New York full force and I returned to my hometown in Oregon, I was desperately in search of hobbies to fill my seemingly endless spare time. One of the first people I turned to was my grandma, who lives in town and is a master of all things sewing. She set me up with an embroidery kit, complete with needles, thread, an embroidery hoop, and a book of patterns, packaged neatly in one of those tin boxes that every grandparent seems to have (you know the one.) 

Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s gotten interested in embroidery this year: Since we featured this beginner’s embroidery kit from Etsy in a holiday gift guide, it’s become an AT reader favorite. And for good reason: It has everything you need to get started, including an embroidery needle, a plastic hoop, several colors of thread, and a piece of linen fabric. But the best part is the design: You have a choice of seven adorable houseplant patterns, which adds a distinctly millennial flavor to a timeless activity. I literally already have all of these items in my embroidery kit, and I’m still thinking about purchasing it just for the patterns. 

Need a holiday gift for your creative, plant-obsessed friend? This is it. If your friend has a green thumb but lacks sewing skills, consider buying one for yourself and gifting the finished product. Especially after this tumultuous year, handmade and personal presents have more meaning. But the beauty of this kit is so much more than decorative: Hand-held activities like embroidery are also relaxing and perfect for those with ADHD. It’s one of my favorite hacks for keeping my hands busy and my brain focused during Netflix binge sessions, and it doesn’t require my full attention. Plus, I wind up with charming decor that makes me feel accomplished and productive. 

While some Etsy customers said the kit’s stitching instructions are a little unclear, they found YouTube tutorials to be extremely helpful (the seller can also be contacted for useful videos, and we have some great resources here ). Ultimately, customers were overwhelmingly pleased with their purchase.

“Love this! Perfect kit for a beginner. Having so much fun with it!” gushed one reviewer of their new favorite pastime, while another customer apparently discovered her ultimate go-to gift: “This was a gift for a friend and she LOVED it… All of the kits are ridiculously cute and come well organized with everything you need. I will definitely buy from this shop again!”

Buy: Beginner Embroidery Kit, $16 on Etsy (note that this set ships from China and may take between 10-20 days for delivery to U.S. customers)