'Tis officially the season for gift-giving. For us, it’s 31 days of gift giving; for a month, we’ll be providing gift ideas for everyone on your list—from your hard-to-please parents to your ’90s-loving BFF and even your spoiled pet. Filled with creative picks that got our pulses racing, our Unwrapped holiday gift guides will make Christmas shopping a breeze this holiday season.
Of all the career-having people in your life—the teachers, the doctors, the social workers, the lawyers, the publishers, etc.—the artists might be the hardest to shop for. They’re in the field they’re in for a reason, and it’s usually because they’re turned off by the everyday and aspire to push the boundaries on what’s deemed appropriate and/or normal.
They may not be the easiest bunch to impress, but we’ve managed to weed out some presents to help get their creative juices at least trickling a little and might give you some cool points in the process.
From Mondrian-inspired scarves to a recent book from photographer Ana Kras, check out our picks ahead.
Ana Kras, Ana Kra: Ikebana Albums, $45, available at Rizzoli Bookstore.
Photographer, furniture designer, model, and illustrator Ana Kras’ lauded first compilation book includes a range of photographs, from candid portraits to landscape shots. The artist has been featured by W and The New York Times and is definitely one worth having on your radar, for art lovers and lovers of pretty things alike.
Unemployed Philosophers Guild, Great Nudes Mug, $13.95, available at Unemployed Philosophers Guild.
Once you fill this mug up with hot water, the figures’ clothes start to disappear, leaving you with a great nude piece of art right at your fingertips.
Unemployed Philosophers Guild, Color Wheel Watch, $42.95, available at Unemployed Philosophers Guild.
Even if your only indicator of time is the clock on your phone, this color wheel watch is still a pretty addition to any wrist.
Uniqlo, Basquiat Sweatshirt, #29.90, available at MoMA Store.
Wear your favorite artist's creations on your chest to show your true fandom.
MoMA, Modern Artist Ornaments, $36, available at MoMA Store.
Get into the holiday spirit with hand-chiseled wooden ornaments of your favorite artist. Take your pick of Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, or Salvador Dali. We like our inspiration where we can see it: hanging on the Christmas tree.
MoMA, Mondrian Scarf, $60, available at MoMA Store.
For modern art lovers, this silk scarf inspired by Piet Mondrian’s paintings allow you to take your favorite art piece with you wherever you go.
Feelings: Soft Art, $35, available at Rizzoli Bookstore.
Feelings: Soft Art will have you emotionally invested in works by up-and-coming artists but also the responses artists and non-artists like Shayne Oliver of Hood by Air and model Emily Ratajkowski have to contemporary art pieces.
Impossible Project, I-1 Analong Instant Camera, $299, available at Impossible Project.
Help flex your skills with Impossible Project’s vintage-inspired instant camera. Even if photography isn’t your medium of choice, it’s easy to use and can be connected to your phone so you can document your images while bringing your personal brand to new artistic heights.
Maddiestratton, Art History Coloring Book, $15, available at Etsy.
A coloring book is a great and easy activity to do when you need a stress break. Take your mind off what you’re working on and focus your attention on coloring Picasso’s “Girl Before A Mirror” instead.
Crafic, Watercolor Set iPhone 7 Case, $10, available at Etsy.
This realistic-looking watercolor iPhone case will have you feeling like Bob Ross in no time.
Angelica Hicks, Playing Cards, $38, available at Yoox.
Illustrator Angelica Hicks created these playing cards exclusively for Yoox. Play your cards right and you might find these fun reimaginations in your stocking.
What beats free trips to the museum? An artist’s income is typically sparse anyway, and this allows them to take a break and absorb some inspiration on more unproductive days. Most memberships even include discounts and private previews of special exhibits.
Check out more of our Unwrapped gift guides here.
