Okay, at least I would love any of these listed below. But most artists can use or would love most of these suggestions.

1.  A no-brainer. Art supplies. If your artist has been admiring a specific item, at a craft or art supply store, or online, it will bring a big grin and a hug. Or a simpler plan, often better as we’re very choosy about colors, brushes and paper, buy a gift certificate to the store or an online supply store. Easy and very appreciated!

     Jerry’s Artarama is a popular and good-price online store

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/gift-guide/gift-ideas-for-artists.html

2.  Art books. My favorite place to buy books on art techniques, artists and every related art subject, is a museum gift shop. If you don’t know what or who your artist likes, buy a gift certificate. Museum shops often sell videos of famous artists at work and techniques. I love the former. Other stores for art books is your favorite shop or chain bookstore. Make sure they have a good selection of art books or art magazines, though.

Biggest selection, of course….

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_3?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=art&sprefix=art%2Caps%2C268

3.  A museum membership. Or if it’s too pricey, and you’re able to take your artist to a special exhibit, do that.

4.  A ticket to your local art house cinema. Most areas have one. Though commercial movies are also often shown there nowadays, their major offerings are foreign films and artsy-type films, not your big-budget big star stuff. This is great stuff. Another great gift is a subscription to Netflix. I watch documentaries and movies on famous artists, foreign movies and unusual finds. Subscriptions can be canceled anytime.

https://www.netflix.com/nmhome?locale=en-US

5. Business cards! A must for the artist who sells. Chain office supply stores, local printer, or search “business cards” online. Get a gift certificate, don’t think you can pick this one out. And your artist can also use a gift card for a bulletin board, a file cabinet or boxes, a printer (which can be really inexpensive nowadays) and other useful stuff that artists don’t like to buy but need.

I use Staples, but other stores like OfficeMax or Depot are just as good.

http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/copyandprint/index.html

6.  A coffee maker or really good coffee or tea. And a cool mug. We all need this to keep going, and for when your artist needs to sit and stare at the blank canvas for inspiration. Available everywhere. Get something funny, personalized or artsy.

7.  A camera. Or a lens for those wide-angle shots of the big work. Go to a camera store near you or online. For not-so-deep pockets, if your artist could use a photography class, find some at your local art center, junior college or a camera store.

8.  A tablet. Not paper. The real electronic marvel. I’m an Apple girl, but there’s a bunch of good stuff out there. Make sure your artist has tried them out at a big box store, office supply or a friend’s tablet. Cost may be less than a good camera or lens.

Here’s reviews, if the glut of tablets is overwhelming!

http://www.laptopmag.com/best-tablets

http://www.cnet.com/uk/topics/tablets/best-tablets/

9. Anything you can think of or find to bring a smile to your artists’s face. My daughter didn’t even know that I use lotion before I start painting (to lessen paint residue in my cuticles). Check out the cool gift she came up with, at the top of the blog. It starts off my session with a smile!

10.  Finally, a really cheap and really wonderful gift. Free time! Offer to babysit for your artist and send him/her to the studio, if they are lucky enough to have a studio somewhere other than home. If your artist works at home and share it with you, leave and go see a movie or two, while they work. No phone calls or texts allowed!

Not to forget your non-artists, or for yourself…visit your local art gallery (ahem!) for those local, genuine art purchases, or an art class.

Have a great holiday!