How to gift art for Christmas?

kat84613
Dec 10
6 min read

🎄 This is a question I have been asking myself a lot and I have even questioned, as an artist, if I should promote my art during the festive season. Art is personal, it is a commitment, so it can feel too hard to choose for someone else. It's indeed something that becomes part of our home and that we look at everyday.

But after doing some research it seems that gifting art at Christmas can be one of the most appreciated, lasting presents you can offer, if done right. Here are some hopefully useful tips to get this thoughtful gift right:

1. First check: is art actually the right gift for this person?

Before looking at styles or colours, the first question is: is this person an “art person” at all?

Psychology research on personalised gifts shows that the most appreciated presents are those that reflect how well you understand someone’s tastes and identity, not how clever or original you are as a giver.

So ask yourself:

Do they already have art on their walls?
Do they talk about exhibitions, galleries, design, architecture or interiors?
Do they enjoy visual details in restaurants, hotels, stores?

If the answer is “yes, definitely,” then gifting art is a strong contender. If you’re unsure, you can still keep art in mind, but you may want to make the gift lower-commitment (a print, a voucher), rather than a huge statement piece.

2. Uplifting versus moody: what kind of art suits gifting?

Christmas is about warmth, connection and renewal. Research on nostalgia and positive memories shows that when we evoke happy, comforting images, we boost wellbeing, connection and resilience.

That’s why, for gifting, it usually works better to choose uplifting, joyful art rather than very dark, political or emotionally heavy pieces. Those deeper, moody works can be powerful, but they’re also extremely personal and risk missing the mark.

If they love colourful art, Neo Pop, playful design, dopamine décor, happy interiors, then my kind of work for instance could genuinely be a good match. This is where I can help you choose something that feels fun, light, emotional and very “them.”
If they only collect very dark, conceptual or politically charged art, a surprise artwork might be too personal. In that case, another type of gift might be safer.

Gifting should feel like offering joy, not imposing a worldview.

3. Understand their style: home, space, and “art personality”

Guides from galleries like Rise Art and Affordable Art Fair emphasise the importance of thinking about the recipient’s “art personality” and the character of their home before buying.

If you’ve seen their home, ask yourself:

Is it minimal and neutral, or colourful and eclectic?
Do they have big, empty walls or lots of small pieces grouped together?
Do they lean more Scandi calm, maximalist joy, or industrial chic?

If you haven’t seen their home, you still have clues:

What colours do they wear?
Which interiors do they “like” or save on Instagram or Pinterest?
What kind of art do they pause in front of at museums or galleries?

This gives you a good read on whether a colourful, toy-based Happy Art piece fits them, and what kind of scale might feel natural.

4. Make it personal, but not intrusive

Gift-psychology research talks about emotional resonance: the best gifts feel like a reflection of the recipient’s identity, not the giver’s ego.

Art gifting sits right on that line: intimate, but it shouldn’t feel controlling.

To keep it personal yet light:

Avoid anything that could be read as a critique (for example, art about politics, bodies, religion, addictions, etc.).
Favour themes of joy, play, childhood memories, games, toys, colour, or shared anecdotes.
Think of the artwork as a wink rather than a statement: “This made me think of your playful side,” not “this should redefine your entire house.”

This is exactly where my Happy Art pieces shine: they’re emotionally warm, fun and nostalgic, but not invasive or judgmental.

5. Ask subtle questions (and test the waters)

If you’re not sure how they feel about art as a gift, you can gently explore:

“If you could buy any piece of art for your home, what would it be?”
“Do you have any empty walls you’d love to fill one day?”
“Do you like very colourful art, or more muted pieces?”

You can also casually share an artist’s Instagram and see how they react.

Cough cough have you seen that colourful toy-art account on Instagram? Okay, it’s mine… but you get the idea 😉:

Do they zoom in, smile, send you a post back, say “this is so fun / so me”?
Or do they say, “Nice, but I prefer black and white photography”?

Their response tells you if colourful, Neo Pop, toy-based art is right for them, or if you should consider something else.

6. Size & commitment: why small can be better

When buying art for your own home, a huge piece can be exciting. When gifting, it’s often better to think about commitment level.

Smaller works:

Are easier to place in any home or future home
Can be combined with their existing art
Feel more like a gift and less like an architectural decision

This is especially true if they’re moving soon or renting. They might not know their future walls yet, but a smaller, joyful artwork can travel with them through different spaces and still feel right. And it's easier to wrap...

7. Prints, originals… or a curated voucher?

Instead of linking prints vs originals to emotional closeness, it can be more practical to link them to budget and flexibility:

Prints (under ~£100): Great for friends, siblings, teens, colleagues, or anyone whose exact wall situation you don’t know. They’re an accessible entry into collecting colourful pop art and still feel special and intentional.
Original artworks: Ideal when you have a bit more budget and a clearer sense of their space and style. An original Happy Art piece can become a real emotional anchor in their home.

Research on personalised gifts shows that when a gift feels tailored, it strengthens emotional connection and even boosts self-esteem in the recipient.

If you’re still unsure what piece to choose, a gift voucher for a specific emerging artist (rather than a generic shop) is a brilliant compromise:

It shows you’ve noticed they like art and chosen a particular style/world for them
It lets them choose the exact piece, size and colours
It supports an independent, emerging artist, which feels meaningful and modern

They can use the voucher toward:

A print
An original artwork
Or even a bespoke commission (in my case it could be a piece based on their favourite childhood toys, games or colours)

Many art-lovers’ Christmas guides now actively recommend gallery or artist gift cards as a smart, flexible solution.

8. How this connects to my Happy Art specifically

My work is all about happy memories, toys, childhood, colour and joy. I create:

Original toy-based artworks for uplifting interiors
Colourful art prints as a more affordable option
Bespoke commissions that can include specific toys, colours or stories from someone’s life

If you know the person loves colour, playful objects, contemporary pop / Neo Pop, and interiors that feel joyful rather than serious, then my art can be a beautiful way to:

Celebrate their inner child
Mark a new chapter (new home, new baby, new life moment)
Offer a daily dose of happiness on their wall

For instance, I can see how a daughter or a son could gift their parents a piece of art reminding them of when they used to be kids, or parents gifting their kids a piece of art that showcase on of their favourite toys or games. Or siblings, best friends who have shared the same childhood.

And if you’re hesitating between different pieces, we can create a beautiful gift voucher for any amount that can be used toward prints, originals or a custom commission. That way you still give a very curated, thoughtful art gift, while letting them choose what feels perfect.

9. And if you're still unsure why gifting art can be so positive

Studies show that art can reduce stress, support emotional wellbeing, and make our homes feel more meaningful and personal.

Research on nostalgia also tells us that revisiting positive memories boosts happiness, connection and resilience, particularly during emotional seasons like Christmas.

So when you gift the right artwork, you’re not just giving “something to hang.” You’re giving: