If you're reading this, you're probably an art lover. But what about the other people in your life?
I know firsthand that art can be a difficult thing to gift, even when we really want to put our dollars in the creative world. Peoples' tastes can be so different, and some people just don't want art, period. That's okay! Don't try to give art to people who don't appreciate it.
But back to those who do like a little fine art: how do you choose, for someone else, a gift that can be so very personal? Below, I've outlined several ways to give the gift of art in a way that will be well received- and most of these won't break the bank.
Choosing the Right Artist
The best way to start would be to match the gift recipient to an artist they'd like. Ideally, you're trying to give artwork to someone you know well, so you should have an idea of their taste. Here are some things you can consider when evaluating if the artist's style is a match for your person:
- Color palette. Think about their home, wardrobe, or even their Instagram feed- does the art go with their usual colors? I wouldn't go with a hot pink abstract painting for a log cabin in the woods, but I might for a stylish thirty-something's city apartment.
- Subject matters! If your person has a flock of chickens in their yard, maybe they'd want some chicken artwork. Or maybe they're into travel, and a landscape of a recent destination would be a touching memento. What are their hobbies or interests? There's an artist that does that.
- Style and medium. Is your person into a classic, traditional look? Try a realistic oil or acrylic painter. Are they funny and a touch whimsical? Maybe they'd rather have some digital art, like from my friends at BMcCormickArt. If they've got a beachy home with light walls and open space, try some playful watercolor work, like from Leah Kuehne.
- Think about the art in their home or office, or maybe you're lucky enough to have been to a gallery or museum with them and noticed what they were most drawn to. This is a pretty strong cue of the kind of work they vibe with.
Once you have an idea of the artist(s) your person would like, you can start looking at what they offer that may make a good gift.
Custom Work
The most obvious art-gift for many is custom artwork. Though it's a little late in the season this year, this is something to keep in mind for the next time they need a gift. Maybe there's a birthday, big life event, or other holiday in the new year that you can start planning for now?
Typically, I'd try to contact your artist at least three months before you need the gift. This gives plenty of time to talk through your idea and pricing, for the artist to work carefully on your commission, and for framing and delivery to you. If your artist is in high demand, expect a longer timeline or hop on their waitlist.
My custom work has been pet portraits in the past, with a few exceptions, but there's an artist out there for every need. Maybe a portrait of their child, an illustration of their new home, or something as specialized as a custom ceramic bowl for their favorite cereal. (I actually made a series of cereal bowls for myself in college!) The options are truly endless.
Keep in mind that custom original artwork can carry a larger pricetag, so you may want to reserve this idea for the people closest to your heart.
Greeting Cards
Greeting cards are actually a versatile and practical gift. The recipient can keep them to display as small artwork or send them to others as needed. You can buy a pre-curated set from many artists or select the individual cards you want. Several cards would likely make more sense when leaving them blank, but you can always use one card to write a heartfelt message, too. Shop my greeting cards here.
Ornaments
Lots of artists create a line of hand-painted ornaments for the holiday season, or maybe they have some mass-produced with their designs. Either way, when you find a really unique ornament and give it to someone you love, that becomes a cherished part of their holiday tradition for years to come. You can try searching a site like Etsy for hand-painted tree ornaments and see what pops up.
I released a line of little New Hampshire-shaped paintings just a few weeks ago, and about half are still available. I offer to send these as-is, or with a magnet attached to the back, or a hole drilled in the top for easy hanging. Check the All Things New Hampshire line here.
Art Prints
Prints of artwork offer all the fun of an original without the high-end price. They're also less precious, especially when open-edition, so your recipient won't feel as guilty if they don't keep it forever and ever.
One easy way to present an art print is to stick it in a frame before gifting. When I worked in the framing world, people would often bring in art they'd had for years and never hung up because they hadn't gotten around to framing it. Don't give your person a chore- make it easy by having it ready-to-display when they open it.
My 8x10 sized open-edition prints are easy to frame in a ready-made 8x10 frame or an 11x14 with a mat. These are sizes you can find anywhere from Amazon to Michaels to Walmart, in styles for any home.
You can also thrift frames for odd-sized art and have a framer just cut a mat for you- look for something with around a 1.5-inch or wider of extra space on all sides. (If you're in the Concord, NH area, I recommend Art Plus, where I used to work, for your custom framing needs.)
Calendars
A classic Christmas gift! People are using their digital calendars more and more, but I still like to have a good old-fashioned paper calendar to check at a glance. When you get an artist's calendar, it's like a piece of artwork that changes every month. Plus, they can save the pages they liked most at the end of the year and have them framed like a print.
While I don't offer calendars (yet?) so many artists do. I've liked having Dan Tavis's calendar for a few years now, and this year I'm hoping someone will get me one from Sarah Moore.
Experiences
Many people express interest in experiential gifts. Believe it or not, there are even ways to support artists without buying a physical object.
- Most of this list is on visual artists, but performers (musicians, comedians, actors, etc) are easy to support by experience! Get a pair of tickets to their gig! You can also attend gallery receptions for a fun, free night of socializing with artists.
- Memberships are still on the rise for creators. I'm seeing more and more writers on Substack, and you could subscribe your person to the feed of someone you know they like.
- Patreon is still the best-known subscription platform, and many different creators offer a range of benefits from bonus online content to physical products. My membership gets a greeting card in the mail every month of a new chicken painting. Or maybe they'd prefer a new pair of handcrafted earrings from Sunshine Dust Co. (I subscribe to this one!) Or even some wearable printmaking on upcycled clothing from Bethany Clarke?
- Now, this might even be free: give your time! Go on a gallery-hop with your person one day. Go to the museum. In the summer, you could picnic at a local park's free performance. Art can be so accessible.
Stocking Stuffers
Stocking stuffers are only limited by the size of the sock. Every artist will have different small options, but here are a few to get your gears turning:
- I make eraser prints and have found they're really cute matted up in a 4x6 frame.
- Just about every artist I know has hopped on the sticker train by now. Mine are made from weatherproof vinyl with a permanent adhesive, making them safe for laptops, water bottles, or even cars- yes, they can survive many a New England winter.
- Magnets are equally as fun as stickers, but can tend toward slightly higher prices. Still a relatively low-cost and easy gift.
- Some people are really into pinback buttons- you'll know who they are. Selecting a few for their collection is a surefire hit.
- If they're an avid reader, they could always use another bookmark!
Wrapping things up (no pun intended)
I hope these ideas have got you feeling more ready to gift some art this year. Remember, the main thing to do is choose an artist your person would like, then find the product of theirs that makes the best gift.
When you shop from artists this year, you're not only getting the gift for your person- you're also making a very tangible difference in the artist's life. It's almost like a gift to the artist, too!