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Posted on December 12, 2023
by Patrick Halbrook

18+ Holiday Gift Ideas for Museum Lovers

The holidays are here, and museums are some of the best places to find unique gifts for loved ones. Purchasing a gift from a museum is a great way of supporting a museum financially, and museum members often qualify for discounts.

Still need to finish your shopping? Check out our gift guide below!

  1. For Friends & Family
  2. For the Tree
  3. For the Kitchen
  4. For the Dining Room
  5. For the Library
  6. For Her
  7. For Him
  8. For Kids
  9. For the Book Lover
  10. For the Baseball Fan
  11. For the Rocky Fan
  12. For the Creative Builder
  13. For the Punster
  14. For the Board Game Enthusiast
  15. For the American Patriot 
  16. For Drawing & Writing
  17. For Rainy Days
  18. For the Museum Lover

1. For Friends & Family

Art-Themed Holiday Cards from the Detroit Institute of Arts – Enjoy holiday variations on classic works of art, including “The Persistence of Marry,” “Season’s Magritte-ings,” and more.

Pop-Up Holiday Cards from the Museum of Modern Art – For decades, the MoMA has been inviting artists to create beautiful unique holiday cards, which have become works of art in themselves.

2. For the Tree

Louis C. Tiffany Flora Cloisonné Ornaments from the Met – Each ornament replicates a different work by Louis C. Tiffany on display at the Met—two from lampshades, and one from a window panel.

3. For the Kitchen

Guggenheim Spiral Teapot from the Guggenheim Museum – Steep tea in style with this porcelain teapot, part of a collection that also includes a sugar and creamer set

4. For the Dining Room

Snowflake Plates from the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation – Handcrafted from clay using the same techniques artisans used in the 17th and 18th centuries, these plates are perfect for serving holiday treats.

5. For the Library

T-Rex Fossil Bookends from the American Museum of Natural History – Keep your book collection from going extinct with these majestic T-Rex Fossil Bookends, a thrilling gift for dinosaur enthusiasts.

6. For Her

Van Gogh Irises Silk Scarf from the Getty Museum – Drape yourself in Van Gogh’s iconic Irises with this stunning 100% silk scarf, featuring vibrant colors and intricate brushstrokes.

Chatty Feet Artist Socks Set from the MoMA Design Store – Take a walk through art history with this whimsical set of socks featuring Andy Sock-Hole, Frida Callus, Feetasso, and Vincent Van Toe.

Jewelry Inspired by Ancient Egypt from the Field Museum – Discover through treasures inspired by the Field Museum’s collection, from replicas of ancient artifacts to personalized hieroglyphic necklaces.

7. For Him

Aviator Style Smoke Sunglasses from the Air Force Museum – Choose from six styles of sunglasses and channel your inner Maverick.

Jackson Pollock Tie from the Museum of the City of New York – Inspired by Pollock’s Abstract Expressionism, this tie also has the advantage of making ketchup stains less noticeable.

Rosetta Stone Cufflinks from the British Museum – These steel cufflinks show off one of the greatest discoveries in history.

8. For Kids

Lion Plush and Lion Snow Globe from the Art Institute of Chicago – The Art Institute of Chicago’s iconic lion statues are the inspiration behind these adorable gifts—as well as dozens of other items

Youth Christmas Tree Rex Bundle with Gift Box from the Field Museum – One of many holiday gift sets and bundles, the “Tree Rex” gift set includes a stylish red sweatshirt, plush, lollipop, and sticker.

9. For the Book Lover

Highlights from the National Gallery of Art – Explore 400+ National Gallery masterpieces with vivid pictures and insightful explanations.

Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum – This book tells the story of September 11 from a rarely heard perspective—that of the women who were there, providing relief and support to victims and rescue workers.

Midway Memories: The Official Collection of the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum – Witness life aboard the USS Midway through 200 unpublished photographs by Midway sailors. Signed by the author.

10. For the Baseball Fan

Autographed Memorabilia from the National Baseball Hall of Fame – Browse an extensive collection of signed baseball cards, bats, photos, and more.

11. For the Rocky Fan

“Philadelphia’s Champion” Gifts from the Philadelphia Museum of Art – Commemorate Rocky’s iconic run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art with a sweatshirt, socks, keychain, and other items.

12. For the Creative Builder

Leonardo da Vinci’s Flying Machine Kit from the National Gallery of Art – Rediscover Leonardo’s flying machine with this working model and 48-page book. 

LEGO Ideas The Starry Night from the MoMA Design Store – This 2,316 piece LEGO set reimagines Van Gogh’s masterpiece in a unique way and was created in conjunction with the MoMA, where visitors can view the original painting.

13. For the Punster

“I Need My Space” Gifts from the Kennedy Space Center – Shop a wide variety of mugs, apparel, and more with this punny phrase.

“Be Rational,” “Get Real” T-Shirt from the California Science Center – Perfect for your favorite math geek.

14. For the Board Game Enthusiast

World War II Clue from the National WWII Museum – “World War II Clue: Spies and Espionage Edition” is a fun and unique variation on the classic game.

15. For the American Patriot 

U.S. Flag Flown Over the 9/11 Memorial from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum – Honor the heroes of 9/11 with an authentic U.S. flag flown over the Memorial, packaged with a personalized certificate of authenticity.

16. For Drawing & Writing

Blackwing x PMA: Duchamp Edition Pencils from the Philadelphia Museum of Art – In 1950, Marcel Duchamp helped donate his patrons’ collection to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and this exclusive Blackwing set honors 12 key works with a black-and-white design that reflects his love of chess. 

17. For Rainy Days

Monet Water Lilies Umbrella from the National Gallery of Art – Stay dry with Monet’s Water Lilies.

18. For the Museum Lover

The Museum: From its Origins to the 21st Century, by Owen Hopkins – This immersive book traces the fascinating history of museums, from early collections to today’s global institutions like the Louvre and Guggenheim, revealing the motivations of the architects, curators, and patrons who shaped their evolution.

Gift Membership to Your Local Museum – Last but not least, a museum membership is great way to inspire future adventures.

Merry Christmas!

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