Amy & Aron's

Before you know it, Spring will be upon us. And with late Spring, come both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. If you’re like us, you are hard-pressed to find a unique gift for your beloved parent, one that they’ll truly enjoy and treasure for years to come. There’s only so many years in a row that you can show up with a candy bar and a bouquet of flowers, after all!

If your parent happens to be an art lover, there’s quite a few options for unique, beautiful gifts that will make a wonderful addition to their home. Buying art is obviously a pricey expenditure and not all of us can afford to get our parents something elaborate or unique, but there are lots of options for smaller gifts that will mean just as much to them, if not more.



When it comes to art, some gifts are truly unique. Here’s a few of our personal favorites.

Kitchen Gadgets

You don’t always think of art when you think of kitchen and food equipment, but there are quite a few gifts you can buy an artistic parent to use in the kitchen. From hand-painted wine glasses and china, to handmade potholders and kitchen towels, to elaborately crafted pottery like coffee mugs and tea sets, to beautifully engraved and/or painted knife sets like those from Scrimshaw. There is some truly gorgeous kitchenware out there from a wide variety of artists and companies that are all reasonably affordable. These items are durable and will give your parent(s) years of enjoyment as they use them to prepare and serve wonderful meals.

Wearable Art
A quick peek at sites like Etsy will show you that you can buy your parent something one-of-a-kind and handmade for them to wear and treasure forever. More and more crafty and talented people are making homemade jewelry, hats, accessories and even clothing in amazingly unique and fun styles. No matter what their interest, you can find something perfectly suited to them.

And it isn’t just on sites like Etsy - you can also find these unique and affordable items locally, too. Search craft fairs, art shows, and more to purchase a locally made, unique gift that your parent(s) will love. You can even commission items for your parent, if you’re willing to spend a little extra.

Quilts and More

It might be old-fashioned, but the simple gift of a handmade quilt or afghan is something that everyone treasures. The love and care that go into such an undertaking will truly mean the world to your loved one. Whether you made it yourself (there are tons of free patterns and designs available online, even for the beginner) or commissioned it from another artist, you can customize and stylize it to your parent’s specific tastes and aesthetic. And if you buy it locally, you can be proud that you’ve helped a local creator. Every time your parent snuggles up on the couch with their handmade gift, they’ll think of you.

Interactive Art

These days, so many things have a dual function. Art is no exception. Whether you’re buying a coffee mug with a print of the Mona Lisa, or an elaborate puzzle that, once put together, doubles as a portrait, beautifully colored sand art in a frame, or a sculpture that doubles as a puzzle, it seems like most things have two (or more) uses. Why should art be an exception? There are lots of cool websites and stores around that have really neat gadgets and pieces that are guaranteed to delight. Engaging the mind while enjoying something pleasant to look at? How could you go wrong?

Personalized Art

If your parent loves pictures (as it seems most parents and grandparents do) a wonderful gift is a customized or personalized print of you and/or your family. You can customize pictures to all sorts of neat gifts, from snowglobes and printed t-shirts to canvas prints and coasters. Pretty much anything you can imagine can be personalized with a photo or art print. Get creative and print something up for your family member, who will love and treasure it always. Sites like Vistaprint and more can do this online, but you can also find a lot of options at your local stores with photo centers.

You can also get creative with your family and try creating your own art to give as gifts! It’s cheaper than you think to invest in a few canvases, paints and brushes, and your parents will love having a handmade gift from you or your child that they can admire and show off. It doesn’t have to be perfect, so long as it was created with love.

Subscriptions and Books

It seems like magazines are a dying hobby, but they don’t have to be. If you have an art-loving parent, why not go old-school and buy them a subscription to an art magazine? People love getting mail, and your parent will be thrilled to receive their magazine every month.

Many big box book stores have discounted art books that are incredibly affordable, featuring gorgeous, huge splashy photos of amazing art. These awesome coffee table books make incredible gifts, and they are shockingly affordable.

Art for the Art Lover

If you have a parent or parents who love art, why not get them the most obvious gift? Art supplies! Even if they’ve never lifted a paint brush, you could cultivate a new passion or hobby just by buying them a few simple supplies. Grab an easel, a few canvases and some paints at your local art store and give the gift of creativity! Maybe a few Bob Ross DVDs for inspiration, and some smocks for paint spatter...you get the drill.

With these fun and unique gift ideas, the art-loving parent in your life is bound to be absolutely thrilled with the gift you give them, no matter what the occasion. As they say, “art for art’s sake”, so why not give them something they’ll treasure forever?