If you subscribe to the Cromwell Art Snack, you clearly value creativity. Guess what? You’re in luck because creative gift giving never goes out of style!
This holiday season, the Cromwell Art Snack is at your service with an edit of artful gifts that are not only on-trend, but will also please everyone on your list, naughty or nice.
And with a lot of self-control (I mean, a lot), we kept our recommendations to a snackable size, featuring our top 5 picks in each gift category below.
Happy snacking and shopping! 🛍
🎁 THE ARTIST IS PRESENT 🎁
Gifts inspired by artists who inspire us.
🔴 KUSAMA-O-RAMA 🔴
Yayoi Kusama’s current retrospective at the Tel Aviv Museum sold out the day of release, and her 2017 retrospective at the Hirshhorn in D.C. broke attendance records, averaging 500,000 visitors in 11 weeks. Kusama is an art world superstar whose life and work make art lovers curious to know and see more.
…and it just so happens that her imagery translates well to just about every kind of surface and object.
Some goodies that caught our eye:
A tea towel set that you can use, or better yet, frame for display―because really, who uses tea towels, anyway?
Give your New Year’s Eve host a bold bottle of bubbly: Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Yayoi Kusama Edition
Visual learners of all ages will dig Kusama: The Graphic Novel, a fully illustrated biography of Kusama’s life.
‘Tis the season for dry skin 🥶 give the gift of chic relief with Byredo’s travel-size hand cream, complete with Kusama-inspired packaging.
Get your cozy on with polka-dot Kusama socks that go with nothing. And that’s the point!
💀 BASQUIAT IN THE BUILDING 💀
If you’re a day one Snacker, you know a thing or two about Jean-Michel Basquiat―the legendary painter was the subject of our very first Cromwell Art Snack (a must-read!). His imagery is universally beloved, so it’s no surprise that JMB’s signature crowns and skulls can be found adorning giftable merch of all shapes and sizes.
If a $110 million painting is out of your holiday budget, might we suggest…
Go no further than [the couch] with this gorgeous throw.
Lost one of your Kusama socks? Try a Basquiat pair as backup.
The gadget glow-up is real: protect your tech à la Basquiat with Casetify’s super sturdy and artful cases.
An OM-g worthy yoga mat to ease you into those New Year’s resolutions… and downward dog.
And don’t forget to nama-stay hydrated post-yoga (or post-party) with this Basquiat water bottle.
📚 NOT-SO-BASIC BOOKS 📚
Raise your hand if “read more” ends up on your resolutions list year after year 🙋
These 5 titles are sure to please the aesthete, chef, or art historian in your life.
Pro tip: Use this Basquiat-themed wrapping paper to make the ultimate first impression!
Black Futures by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham is a book you can effectively browse and glean nuggets from each time. Its non-linear narrative opens up new worlds in art, music, and literature. Plus, it’s gorgeous!
Have you always wanted to dine with an artist? Cook like one instead with Mina Stone’s Cooking For Artists. I make the Greek fried eggs on repeat. *Chef’s kiss*
Feeling feminist? Want to read about a woman artist who’s not Lee Krasner? I recently updated my pedagogy with Truth Bomb: Inspiration from the Mouths and Minds of Women Artists.
But actually, if you also want to read about Lee Krasner… and Elaine de Kooning and Helen Frankenthaler, read Ninth Street Women. It’s a worthwhile slog.
Craving a juicy art world exposé? Look no further than Boom by Michael Shnayerson, a go-behind-the-scenes read.
👜👛 WEAR YOUR ART ON YOUR SLEEVE 👛👜
I was completely charmed by my recent studio visit with St. Louis-based artist, Katherine Bernhardt, whose Pop culture-influenced paintings and sculptures are irresistibly exuberant. Bernhardt’s zest for life is apparent in the many fashion collaborations she’s recently produced.
Without further ado, more wearable art to give―and add to your own list―this holiday season:
For the little cutie in your life, buy this adorable Katherine Bernhardt x crewcuts tee.
Feel good bonus: this purchase benefits DonorsChoose
Is your tween always losing their iPhone? Take a cue from E.T. and “phone home” the Gen Z way with this Katherine Bernhardt x Marc Jacobs handbag.
And we’ve got the other Gen Z-ers on your list covered with this Katherine Bernhardt Garfield hoodie.
Handsome is as handsome does: KAWS x Comme des Garçons dress shirt
Now that you’ve taken care of everyone else, there’s only one thing left to do: spoil yourself―duh!
The crème de la crème of luxury collabs? Louis Vuitton’s Artycapucines capsule collections: collectible LV handbags designed by Contemporary artists. Get your hands on one (if you can track ‘em down, that is). These are hot, hot, hot! A highlight: artist Tschabalala Self’s design from 2019 🔥
🧩🎨 PLAY WITH YOUR ART 🎨🧩
Puzzles and coloring books are the OG time wasters. Stop scrolling and interact with humans *sans screen* this holiday season… or year-round.
Start the party with Open Studio, comprising 18 DIY art projects by Contemporary art stars like Julie Mehretu and George Condo, and let your friends finish it!
Nothing says bonding like a puzzle: grab that bottle of Kusama bubbly 👆 and break out a crowd-pleasing jigsaw, like this one by Mickalene Thomas, or this 1,000-piece KAWS puzzle (if you’re up for a challenge).
Calling kids of all ages! Channeling your inner-artist is easy, thanks to the RxArt coloring book. Just stay inside the lines; the pros took care of the rest. Feel good bonus: your purchase supports RxArt
Upgrade your game with artist David Shrigley’s quirky take on a classic deck of cards. 🃏
Play your cards right: Words of Art is the art world’s answer to Apples to Apples, featuring blue-chip works straight from the collection of arts patron extraordinare, Agnes Gund. Now we’re game!
🏠🏺 HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS 🏺🏠
Trust us: these creative gift ideas will impress your friends and inspire you to take your own domestic decor up a notch.
Looking for the perfect gift for me? This Hauser & Wirth Mary Heilmann cashmere blanket will do nicely. Thank you!
Shots on the house! Espresso, that is: Julio LeParc espresso cups, set of two
Gift an artist-designed plate from the Artist Plate Project.
Feel-good bonus: your purchase benefits Coalition for the Homeless
These funky Gaetano Pesce resin vessels are legit artworks and the perfect container for that bouquet your friend brings to dinner!
Elevate your post-holiday green tea detox with exquisite ceramic cups from Otani Workshop 🍵