Think artsy gifts for your loved ones this holiday

This holiday season, gifts can come in the form of art. Artsy gifts encourage exploration, self-expression, reflection, and appreciation of culture.

Whether exploring, creating, learning, or simply appreciating, thoughtful artsy gifts offer tangible value while inspiring and nurturing the human imagination.

From museum gifts to handmade items, there is a wide array of options to suit every type of art lover.

For those who wander with curiosity and wonder, gifts centred on discovery are ideal.

Visiting museums and art galleries increases knowledge, uplifts mood, relaxes the mind, and replenishes creativity.

Gifting museum tickets or memberships, travel-friendly sketchbooks, portable tripods, guided art tours, and coffee table books makes it easy to experience creativity on the move.

Lydia Galavu, an art curator at the National Museums of Kenya, notes that giving loved ones museum-related gifts, such as museum tickets, memberships, or guided tours holds great value.

The recipient benefits from exposure to artistic, historical, and cultural heritage all under one roof.

“This is a perfect gift for someone who is less attached to their roots or knows little about the content of the museum. They will come out of the place transformed,” says Galavu.

Joy Kito, visual artist and founder of Art Kito Gallery, said that her gift choices would include something made by hand, such as a painting, a hand-painted bag, or handmade jewellery.

For someone who loves flowers, she recommends gifting a painting of a flower that never dies or a hand-painted flowerpot.

She prefers objects that are handmade, even if they are not entirely crafted by hand.

She recounted a memorable story of a man who gifted his girlfriend a surprise art gallery visit.

“She was excited, and she really loved learning about art. Later, he returned and purchased a painting she admired for her birthday,” she says.

You could also enjoy virtual art exhibitions and tours together, both locally and internationally.

For people interested in making art, materials that facilitate self-expression are ideal.

Art supplies, such as watercolours, crayons, canvases, acrylics, pastels, coloured pencils, sketchbooks, canvas stands, pencil cases, clay modelling, knitting, and crochet sets are excellent gift ideas.

Studies have shown that art reduces stress, improves memory and focus, enhances problem-solving, fosters emotional resilience, and boosts self-esteem.

Creativity provides a safe outlet for emotions while encouraging critical thinking and personal growth.

Those with an eye for design and aesthetics appreciate gifts that elevate their living spaces. Decorative objects, beautiful housewares, ceramic palettes, custom-made furniture, and sculptural pieces can transform a home into a gallery of personal taste.

If your recipient is a wellness enthusiast, hand-painted journals, art therapy journals, colouring books, and personal sketchbooks support mindfulness, personal expression, and creative self-care.

These gifts provide restorative respites during the holiday season, allowing recipients to reconnect with themselves.

Books are timeless gifts, and literature lovers will appreciate works by their favourite authors. You won’t go wrong with novels, art history books, art technique books, or curated sketchbook collections.

For recipients who love style, fashion, and accessories with an artistic twist, practical and creative gifts are ideal.

Art-designed tote bags, handcrafted jewellery, collectible ornaments, beaded pieces, and even art-inspired phone cases allow personal style to merge with artistic expression.

Paintings, prints, or limited-edition artworks make perfect gifts for anyone who enjoys visual beauty.

Art curator and writer Joy Mala of Munyu Space said, “When gifting someone a painting or sculpture, visit artist studios to understand their style and see what matches the recipient’s taste.”

She noted that most artworks have layered themes and encouraged consulting the artist to ensure the piece is ideal for the gift receiver. “Also, art is timeless, especially when it is not mass-produced. It shows thoughtfulness for the recipient,” said Mala.

For those who collect and cherish art, monographs on favourite artists, collectors’ guides, exhibition catalogues, sculptures or small statues, photography prints by emerging artists, studio visits, art fair tickets, and virtual tours of renowned collections are ideal.

Theatre enthusiasts in your life will enjoy tickets to live shows, theatre-inspired jewellery featuring masks or script motifs, books on theatre history, and curated collections of plays.

John Anyagwa, in charge of a museum gift shop, noted that books and art merchandise, such as African-inspired jewellery, are top sellers during the holiday season.

“Experience-based gifts like memberships are also popular. Shoppers often want something meaningful for someone interested in art,” he says.