My daughter loves to draw and paint so every year I've started giving
her an art set. The ones at Michaels serve the purpose ($3.99 when on
sale). I decided last year to personalize the set by covering it with
scrapbook paper and Mod Podge. It's a very simple way to dress it up. I also buy the notebook and cover it to match. I just finished the set for Olivia this year. Makes for a nice kid's birthday gift too. And you will have less than $10 in it total!
Another idea is to cover a clipboard with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge. Olivia uses this one to do her homework sheets on.