If you have been toying with the idea of getting a Cricut machine or you want to put together the ultimate crafting bundle as a holiday gift, this Cricut Gift Guide is for you! Keep reading to learn about machine options to consider, my favorite to go basic tools for weeding vinyl, and the Cricut vinyl materials I use most for crafts and gifts that make great stocking stuffers!
I’m happy to be partnering with Cricut on today’s gift guide post as I want others to learn from my mistake and get a Cricut sooner than later! I’m not sure what took me so long to get one of these versatile machines but when they say “the possibilities are endless” they aren’t kidding!
Visit Cricut.com to grab any of all of the items on my Cricut Gift Guide and give someone a happy holiday!
- Cricut Machine – Choosing which machine really depends on what materials you think you might want to cut (and what color machine you actually want!) I started with (and still love) my Explore Air 2! If you’re looking to create projects for party décor and t-shirt designs, using mostly cardstock and vinyl, this is probably the machine for you. If you’re looking to cut those materials, but also want to create designs with fabric, felt, leather, or poster board, you might want to look at the Cricut Maker.
- Replacement tips and additional blades – There’s nothing like a fresh blade! You can make TON of cuts with one blade but they will eventually dull, especially when you use yours as much as me. Grab a few extra fine point tip blades for your basic cuts or, if you’re looking for an upgrade to your Cricut Maker, invest in some of the new QuickSwap tips! You can learn more about the debossing tip, wavy blade, perforation blade and engraving tip that I used on my Thanksgiving fall mantle.
- Mats – My go to mat is the green standard grip mat since 90% of the time I’m working with cardstock or vinyl. I have (2) in 12×12” size and (2) 12 x 24” size as I’m often doing layered vinyl designs that require back to back cuts in different colors that are different sizes. However, if you’re leaning towards the Cricut Maker because you want to cut those other material types, you’ll probably want the 12 x 12” mat variety pack that includes the Strong Grip and Light Grip mat.
- Basic Tools Kit – I have this 5 piece basic tool kit hung on a pegboard over my desk that gives me easy access as I work to weed (or remove the parts of the vinyl you don’t want adhered) a design. I use the scraper to smooth vinyl when using transfer tape, the weeder tool to pick up tiny pieces from an intricate design, and the spatula to help pick up cardstock shapes from the mat so they don’t curl or bend. The scissors and tweezers help separate any vinyl pieces as I’m working with layers or need exact placement so overall I recommend this bundle package than buying them separate.
- Nail Polish Holder – This little guy is actually meant to hold nail polish but can be worn on your opposite hand as you weed small pieces almost like a wearable garbage can. It comes in super handy when paired with the weeding hook in the above package, and especially with those tiny inners from letters.
- EasyPress 2 Machine – If you plan to do a lot of iron on designs on t-shirts, bags or canvases, you’re going to want an Easy Press 2 machine. I used my iron for months before getting upgraded to this machine that can change the temperature and timer setting with the press of a button. It provides even heat over your full design vs. an iron that has to be moved a lot and includes a lot of human error issues. The machine comes in a variety of sizes but the largest one is the one I used most for t-shirts and totes.
- EasyPress 2 Mat – This mat helps to protect your surface area from heat and moisture and is much better than your home ironing board. Tip: If you go with the larger size EasyPress, get the larger sized mat too!
- Vinyl Transfer Tape – Transfer tape helps you remove your custom adhesive vinyl cuts from their carrier sheet and line them up on its final surface. The best part – you can usually reuse this tape multiple times to get a lot of use from one roll!
- Iron On Vinyl – Cricut makes so many fun vinyl materials and they keep coming out with more! I personally love the Everyday Iron on for basic t-shirt designs, like the “class of (graduation year)” shirts. You can’t go wrong with getting a bulk roll of it in white or black. The shell tops of the girls’ mermaid Halloween costumes and Spark Joy t-shirts feature Glitter Iron On that really gives some sparkle. The iridescent look of the holographic vinyl works great for mermaid and unicorn designs, which are oh so trendy these days! They also make patterned iron-on for those who love a certain print or favorite licensed character!
- Adhesive Vinyl Materials – Once you start putting custom adhesive vinyl designs on a surface, you are going to be hooked! So far I’ve personalized storage tubs, drawers in my craft room, drink glasses, notebooks, Christmas ornaments, and signs using adhesive vinyl and I’m not stopping applying anytime soon! I suggest grabbing a few samplers pack so you have an assortment of colors on hand until you know what specific colors you need for a project. Make sure to check out other fun adhesive vinyl, like Holographic Sparkle, Disney licensed patterned vinyl, and Holographic threads.
Once you get your machine, check out my Cricut beginner’s guide with dos and don’ts for lots of Cricut made fun!
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