Batik YING is a contemporary batik company rooted in the ancient craft of batik. Founded by Malaysian artist Ying, she reimagines traditional wax-resist dyeing techniques through a modern lens, creating batik art pieces that honours heritage while embracing innovation.
5 Best Craft Kits this Christmas 2026
The best Christmas gifts are the ones that actually get used. Not put on a shelf. Not returned. The ones where someone sits down, takes a breath, and makes something they didn't think they could.
This Christmas we wanted to write something honest about the top 5 craft kits we love and believe in, including our own.
1. Batik Art Kit
I'll start with mine, because it's genuinely the one I'm most proud of.
The Classic Kit comes with a 20cm embroidery hoop, a piece of 100% cotton with the batik design already waxed onto it, fabric dyes, brushes, a tray and an instruction card. I've done the waxing part for you. All you have to do is pick up a brush and paint.
That sounds simple, and it is. But simple doesn't mean it's not beautiful. Every kit I send out has been through my hands. I draw every design myself, I wax every piece. When you open one of my kits, you're getting something genuinely handmade.
There are 18 designs to choose from and the whole thing takes about an hour or two. No mess, no heat, no specialist kit beyond what's in the box. And at the end of it you have a piece of fabric art that you made. That still makes me happy every single time I see someone finish one.
Available from Batik Art Kit, Etsy and Not on the High Street. Free UK delivery on orders over £50.
2. Batik Lamp Kit
If you want to give something people will actually talk about, this is it.
The Lamp Kit is my premium gift. You make a batik lampshade and it comes with a rechargeable, touch-sensitive lamp base. When you switch it on, the light comes through the cotton and every colour you painted glows. It genuinely looks stunning. I have one in my studio and I still catch myself just looking at it.
There are five exclusive designs made just for this kit. The finished lamp looks like something from an independent design gallery, not a craft afternoon. At £42 it's the most special thing in my range and I think it's worth every penny as a gift.
Available from Batik Lamp Kit.
3. Mini Batik Bauble Kit
This one is for when you want to give something thoughtful but you're not sure if the person has tried batik before.
The Mini Kit has a 10cm hoop, 14 designs to pick from, and everything you need to make a finished piece. It's smaller, quicker, and at £18 it's a brilliant stocking filler or Secret Santa gift that doesn't feel throwaway. Most people who try the Mini Kit want to do it again. That's the whole point.
Available from Batik Mini Kit and Etsy.
4. A pressed flower botanical kit
This one isn't mine but I genuinely love it as a companion to batik.
For someone who's drawn to slow, nature-led making, pressing flowers is wonderful. You collect, you press, you wait, you arrange. There's something very calming about the whole process. Several independent UK makers sell lovely versions on Etsy and Not on the High Street. Search for botanical pressing kit and look for UK-based sellers.
5. A hand embroidery starter kit
Embroidery and batik live in similar worlds. Both are textile crafts. Both ask you to slow down. Both produce something you're genuinely proud of.
A good starter embroidery kit will have a hoop, a piece of pre-printed fabric with a design on it, threads and a guide to basic stitches. Look for one with a botanical or floral design if you're not sure what they'd like. UK brands like Anchor and DMC make solid kits, and Etsy has a lot of lovely independent options too.
If the person you're buying for already does embroidery, I'd honestly suggest pairing a small embroidery kit with one of my batik kits. They go together beautifully.
*image from Treasure Kave
A few questions I get asked a lot at this time of year
What's the best craft kit for someone who's never done anything like this before?
My Mini Kit. It's small, it's quick, and it's completely set up for someone who's starting from zero. The design is already waxed so all they do is paint. Takes about 30 to 60 minutes and they finish with something they actually made.
Are craft kits actually a good gift or do they just sit in a drawer?
Honestly, it depends on the kit. The ones that get used are the ones that don't require the person to go and buy extra supplies, figure out a complicated technique, or clear a whole afternoon. Mine are designed to be picked up and done. Everything is in the box. That's deliberate.
What is batik? Is it hard?
Batik is a traditional textile art from Southeast Asia that uses wax to resist dye on fabric. It's been around for thousands of years. In my kits the wax is already done, so you're just painting. It's not hard at all. Most people are surprised by how much they enjoy it.
Where can I buy your kits?
From batikying.com, Etsy, or Not on the High Street. Free UK delivery on orders over £50. We also ship internationally.
Can I book a workshop as a gift instead?
Yes, and honestly this is one of my favourite things to give people. A batik workshop is a proper experience, not just a thing. You can book / enquire your private workshop through batikying.com or ClassBento.
