Art lovers are hard to shop for. They have opinions about color, they notice a cheap print from across the room, and many of them already own the museum mug, the tote bag and the Starry Night umbrella. A good gift for them doesn't have to be expensive. It just has to show you know which painting they'd stand in front of the longest.
This guide mixes a few general ideas with the art-inspired gift boxes we curate and pack in Los Angeles. Each box is built around one painting: a mini framed print of the work, plus home pieces in its colors and mood. Prices below are current at the time of writing, and every box ships free within the US.
How to choose a gift for an art lover (without guessing)
Before you buy anything, spend five minutes on detective work:
- Find their painting. Look at their phone wallpaper, the postcards on the fridge, or the museum photos they post. One favorite artist narrows things down fast.
- Notice their home, not just their taste. Someone with a tea ritual, a dinner-party habit or a reading corner will use a gift that fits that routine.
- Think "use it and see it." The gifts that last are things they'll use (a cup, a candle, a throw) and things they'll look at (a print on the shelf).
- Avoid generic art supplies unless they've told you exactly what they use. Working artists are particular about brands and materials.
For the romantic: Klimt's The Kiss
Gold, rose and warm light make Gustav Klimt's The Kiss an easy pick for a partner, a mom or a best friend who loves Vienna's golden period.
The Klimt The Kiss Gift Box ($59) is built for a slow tea moment: a rose butterfly glass teacup, curated tea vials, artisan handmade chocolate, a long burgundy candle with a golden holder, a table runner with pearl details, a reed diffuser and a mini gold-framed print of The Kiss. It arrives in a black box with a red satin ribbon, which looks right at home under a Christmas tree.
For the quiet tea-and-blossom type: Van Gogh's Almond Blossom
Van Gogh painted Almond Blossom in 1890 to celebrate the birth of his nephew, so it's a painting about new beginnings and care. It suits someone who loves soft color and calm mornings more than the swirling drama of Starry Night.
The Van Gogh Almond Blossom Gift Box ($54) includes an elegant glass cup with butterfly floral details, a blue table runner with pearl accents, a long blue candle with a golden holder, a handmade artisan chocolate bar, a reed diffuser and a framed mini print of Almond Blossom, tied with a blue satin ribbon.
For the host who loves Dutch masters: Vermeer
Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of the most recognized faces in art, and its palette (soft white, Delft blue, candlelight) is made for winter evenings at home. There are two ways to give it:
- The Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Gift Box ($65) is the cozier set: a soft throw blanket, two crystal candle holders with tall Delft-inspired candles, two Delft-style ceramic bowls, a wooden cheese board with knife and fork, a pearl sugar candy jar, a reed diffuser and a mini framed Vermeer print.
- The Elegant Pearl Earring Table Gift Box ($59) focuses on the table: a white runner with pearl details, crystal candle holders with blue-and-white taper candles, Delft-style bowls, pearl sugar candy, a cheese board with serving tools and the framed print. You can add a short lid inscription at checkout (up to 20 characters, such as "For Mom" or a name), which makes it a nice choice for a parent or a holiday host.
For art lovers who also love wine: Caravaggio and Sargent
If the person on your list is as likely to talk about a Barolo as a Baroque painting, pick a box that joins the two.
- The Caravaggio Bacchus Wine Gift Box ($69) is a full cozy night in: two thin-stem wine glasses, a cable-knit throw in forest green or Bacchus red, a pear and freesia scented candle, a wine opener set, a reed diffuser and a mini gold frame with Caravaggio's Bacchus. The green or red throw also happens to match the season.
- The John Singer Sargent The Wineglasses Gift Box ($59) is lighter and great for couples or a holiday host: two angled stemless wine glasses, a wooden cheese board with cheese knives, an antique green bell candle snuffer, a sculptural pillar candle, a champagne table runner with pearl detailing, roasted almonds in a glass jar and a miniature gilded frame with a Sargent print.
Add a bottle of their favorite wine and the gift is complete. (The boxes don't include wine.)
A one-of-a-kind piece for darker tastes
Not every art lover wants gold and blossoms. For someone drawn to Victorian, gothic or dark academia style, the Gothic Romance Decorative Glass Bottle ($65) is a display piece rather than a set. It is a glass bottle hand-decorated with decoupage art of a pale maiden with red peonies and a skull blooming with roses, with an aged-bronze cast-metal collar, 3D rose details and a cork stopper. It is about 7.4" tall. Because each bottle is decorated by hand, no two are exactly alike. It comes in a gift box with a black velvet dust cover.
Gift ideas for art lovers that aren't a box
Some of the best gifts for art lovers can't be wrapped at all. A few ideas that pair well with a physical present:
- A museum membership. Many museums sell gift memberships with free entry and member previews. It's a great pick for someone who lives near a museum they love.
- Exhibition tickets plus a plan. Pick a show, book the date and include lunch. The day together is the gift.
- A book about their favorite artist. Choose a biography or letters over a general survey. Van Gogh's letters, for example, are a favorite with fans.
- A handwritten note about the painting. A few lines on why the painting reminds you of them will mean more than any add-on.
Quick guide: which gift for which person
| If they love... | Try | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Romance, gold, tea | Klimt The Kiss Gift Box | $59 |
| Soft blue, calm mornings | Van Gogh Almond Blossom Gift Box | $54 |
| Cozy nights, Dutch masters | Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Gift Box | $65 |
| Hosting, a personalized lid | Elegant Pearl Earring Table Gift Box | $59 |
| Red wine and Baroque drama | Caravaggio Bacchus Wine Gift Box | $69 |
| Wine nights for two | Sargent The Wineglasses Gift Box | $59 |
| Gothic or dark academia decor | Gothic Romance Glass Bottle | $65 |
You can see all of the painting-inspired sets in our art-inspired gift boxes collection. For more one-of-a-kind decor, browse handcrafted home decor.
Before you order: timing and finishing touches
- Order early. Holiday shipping gets slower every week of December. Check our shipping details for current processing times and order by mid-December to be safe.
- Ship it straight to them. If you're sending a gift to someone in another state, every box ships free within the US and arrives ready to give, so you don't need extra wrapping.
- Add a personal line. Even a short note, like "This one made me think of you," turns a nice gift into a memorable one.
The right gift for an art lover doesn't try to cover all of art history. It picks one painting they love and brings it into their everyday life. Find their painting, and the rest is easy.