Should I get driftwood or live plants?

I would say get the chunk of drift wood. Then if you want get some easy basic plants like Hornwart( Ceratophyllum demersum), or Cabomba, or Java fern or vallisneria (gr). I have never used anything but regular gravel and no plant food and they lived fine. If it works good for you try different plants, plan something out, go to town... but if they die, well you tried right, and these should all be cheap plants, and no big loss. My biggest problem with plants is certain fish eat them, and it is a really $$ snack. You are also approach the plants from the wrong angle... you should find out what is available to get, and then do the research and find out what you need.