Need a Secret Santa gift for someone who loves art? These ideas span practical supplies, creative projects, and ways to enjoy art at home, with options for different workspaces and interests.
12 Christmas Gifts for Art Lovers
1. Glass Display Cabinet with Adjustable Shelves
2. Honeywell Full-Spectrum LED Desk Lamp
Color-Sensitive Studio Light
Honeywell Full-Spectrum LED Desk Lamp
- Full-spectrum light has a stated CRI of 95 or higher.
- Brightness and color temperature adjust from 3000K to 5500K.
- USB and USB-C ports can charge two devices simultaneously.
Best For: Painters and illustrators who work at a desk.
3. Falling in Art Wooden Tabletop Easel
A Compact Easel for Desk Artists
Falling in Art Wooden Tabletop Easel
- Beechwood easel has an adjustable canvas support for boards up to 24 inches.
- Five compartments organize drawing tools and can be rearranged.
- Folds into a portable form with a leather handle.
Best For: Artists painting at a desk or in a small workspace.
4. Grabie 50-Color Watercolor Set with Brush Pens
A Portable Watercolor Palette
Grabie 50-Color Watercolor Set with Brush Pens
- Includes 50 watercolor colors and five detail brushes.
- Set also includes a water brush pen, sponge, fineliner, and paper pad.
- Tin is designed to hold the painting supplies for travel.
Best For: Art lovers who enjoy painting outdoors or on the go.
5. Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Kit
A Hands-On Printmaking Project
Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Kit
- Includes four linoleum blocks, black ink, a brayer, and a baren.
- Six carving blades and a handle with built-in tool storage are included.
- Water-soluble ink cleans with soap and water.
Best For: Artists who like carving stamps and making handmade prints.
6. A4 USB-Powered Tracing Light Pad
A Slim Tool for Layered Drawing
A4 USB-Powered Tracing Light Pad
- A4 light pad is 6 mm thick and has adjustable brightness.
- Touch controls dim the illuminated surface gradually.
- USB cable powers it; it has no built-in battery.
Best For: Illustrators and crafters who transfer sketches or work in layers.
7. Framed Gustav Klimt The Kiss Wall Art
A Classic for Their Wall
Framed Gustav Klimt The Kiss Wall Art
- Features a framed print of Klimt’s The Kiss.
- Finished dimensions are 26 by 30 inches, with a 20 by 24-inch image.
- Screws, a level, and gloves are listed as included.
Best For: Art lovers who enjoy displaying celebrated works at home.
8. VEVOR Tabletop Pottery Wheel Set
A Starter Gift for Clay Work
VEVOR Tabletop Pottery Wheel Set
- The tabletop wheel has an 11-inch turntable and adjustable speed.
- A detachable basin and right-side tool storage are included.
- Set includes eight stainless steel tools, eight wooden tools, and an apron.
Best For: Hands-on creatives curious about shaping clay at home.
9. Yaheetech Adjustable Drafting Table and Stool
A Dedicated Drawing Surface
Yaheetech Adjustable Drafting Table and Stool
- Tabletop tilts from flat to 60 degrees, with adjustable table height.
- Two drawers and a pull-out auxiliary surface add workspace and storage.
- Set includes a matching stool and an adjustable pencil ledge.
Best For: Artists who want a dedicated surface for drawing or drafting.
10. Stainless Steel Clay and Wax Carvers Set
Detailed Tools for Small Sculptures
Stainless Steel Clay and Wax Carvers Set
- Ten double-headed tools offer different carving and shaping tips.
- Tools are stainless steel and average six inches long.
- Zippered carrying case keeps the tools organized.
Best For: Sculptors and makers working with clay or wax.
11. New York Central 300 lb Watercolor Paper Block
A Sturdy Surface for Watercolor
New York Central 300 lb Watercolor Paper Block
- Block contains ten 12-by-16-inch cold-press sheets.
- Four glued edges help limit curling while painting.
- Acid-free paper is described as suitable for wet and dry media.
Best For: Watercolorists who value a durable surface for practice or finished work.
12. Raphael: Sublime Poetry
A Deep Dive into Renaissance Art
- Exhibition catalogue surveys Raphael’s life and artistic career.
- Features more than 200 drawings, paintings, tapestries, and decorative arts.
- English-language edition has 428 pages.
Best For: Readers who enjoy art history and museum collections.
Choosing a Secret Santa Gift for an Art Lover
Start with how the recipient enjoys art. Someone who makes art may appreciate supplies or a useful tool, while a museum regular might prefer a substantial art book or a piece to display. If you know they paint, draw, print, sculpt, or work with clay, choose a gift that supports that activity. The watercolor set and paper block suit different kinds of watercolor gifting: one is a portable collection of colors and tools, while the other is a supply of larger cold-press sheets. For printmaking, the linocut kit brings several parts of the process together.
When you’re unsure of their medium, think about the space around their creative practice. A desk lamp, tracing pad, or tabletop easel can serve several drawing and craft projects. A display cabinet may appeal to someone who collects small objects or likes to make their creative corner part of the room. A framed print or art book works for someone who prefers looking, reading, and collecting over making.
Match the Gift to the Budget and Scale
Secret Santa budgets vary, so set your spending limit before comparing larger or more elaborate gifts. Compact tools and paper can make focused, useful presents; a kit can feel complete because it groups supplies for an activity. Consider whether the recipient will need additional materials to use it. The linocut kit lists blocks, ink, printing tools, papers, and instructions, while the pottery wheel set includes shaping tools and an apron. The book and framed print are ready-made art gifts for people whose interests lean toward appreciation and display.
Larger furniture gifts require extra thought. A drafting table, pottery wheel, or glass cabinet takes room, and the recipient may not have space for it. These are best when you already know they want that type of equipment and have a suitable place for it. For an office exchange or a recipient whose home you don’t know well, smaller tools or a book are easier to choose without making assumptions about their space.
Check Compatibility and Personalization
Art supplies are personal: techniques, preferred materials, and working habits differ. If possible, look for clues in the recipient’s current projects or ask a mutual friend what they use. A watercolorist may welcome paper, but paper size and surface matter; this block is 12 by 16 inches and cold-press. A sculptor may use clay or wax, and the carvers set is described for both. For desk-based drawing, consider whether an adjustable easel, angled table, or tracing surface fits the way they work.
For powered items, check what the gift needs to function. The tracing pad is USB-powered and does not have a built-in battery, so it needs a USB power source. The display cabinet’s lights use an app, remote, or button controls. The pottery wheel and larger furniture are more involved additions to a workspace. If you’re not sure about the recipient’s setup, a book such as Raphael: Sublime Poetry avoids equipment compatibility questions and offers a substantial look at one artist’s life and work.
A personal note can make a practical gift feel considered. Mention the kind of project that made you think of them, or pair the gift with a card naming an artist or technique you know they enjoy. For a framed Klimt print, a note about the recipient’s favorite room or artwork can connect the piece to their taste without guessing at a whole decorating scheme.
Timing and Last-Minute Decisions
For a relaxed choice, decide early whether your recipient is an artist, collector, or art-history reader, then narrow the options by space and medium. Avoid relying on delivery timing or assuming a gift will arrive by a particular date. If time is short, select something that is straightforward to explain and use, such as an art book, a compact tool set, or paper for a known watercolorist. A large table or cabinet may need more planning around space and setup.
For last-minute Secret Santa decisions, keep the recipient’s actual interests at the center. A modest, relevant gift is more thoughtful than an ambitious piece of equipment chosen without context. Whether you choose a creative kit, a workspace helper, a classic print, or an illustrated art book, the best Christmas gift is one that reflects how this art lover creates or enjoys art.