i am not always one for gift guides. mostly, i just figure you know what your loved ones would like more than i ever could, but this year i had the thought that an artful gift guide might be nice to put together for you. personal, handmade and always unique are the kinds of gifts i love receiving and giving so these are a few thoughts i have on the subject of creative prezzies for those on our gift giving lists. art is always a favorite of mine, books, ceramics, textiles — even vintage or repurposed finds are lovely to receive. i think the idea is to think of your recipient and what they love best and aim for something creative and unexpected around that theme — and try not to stress and just have fun with the gift of giving! and should you need further gift ideas, you might like my marché recommends — a curated collection of things i love and update frequently.

bay area artist leigh wells is so prolific — at illustration, hand lettering and her ever-growing art practice. i’m a huge fan, and leigh is generously offering us a reader discount code SFGIRL50 — half off any purchase over $200 (excluding framing) through 12/31 including USPS shipping! i just love leigh’s work including her unique collages (above at very top, and just above).

perhaps you’d like to surprise a loved one with a trip? extravagant, yes — so if you’re not quite equipped for that kind of expenditure, how about some affordable travel guides so you can fantasize together on where to head next? wallpaper* city guides are some of my favorites — always up to date with must-visit destinations — like lisbon, barcelona and london. and they’re conveniently pocket-sized — unearthing the hippest nightlife, the buzziest hotels, the coolest retail & restaurants, the most influential art galleries & cultural spaces, the best in local design and contemporary architecture. bon voyage — at least in your brain!

how about a unique magazine subscription? there are so many beautiful independently published and collectible magazines out there these days, and cereal has some of my very favorite photography. cereal is a biannual, travel & style magazine that focuses on a select number of destinations alongside engaging interviews and stories on unique design, art and fashion. Volume 16 explores the subject of collecting — i’ll bet even just a single issue would be most appreciated. i also love the gentlewoman, cherry bomb and apartmento.

i’m a fan of these pretty handmade ceramics from modern archive. so, what about gifting some lovely tea from steven smith teamaker along with some handmade stoneware cups wheel-thrown in Berlin using local clays from the Laerz region? i like this idea and i’d be thrilled to receive something as thoughtful as this. just put the kettle on and this gift is ready to enjoy!

one of my long-time favorite artists is rikkianne van kirk — i have several of her pieces around my home and the sweet thing is that she has etsy prints that are affordable, and still so very sentimental — there’s even one entitled you sentimental idiot! i also love hold, palm hat and jump. so sweet, right? perfect for those you feel especially close to.

i love everything fine little day does, and their latest skiers print is pretty darn sweet. Winter sports, fresh air and speed — what more could a kid want? this original drawing with acrylic and crayon is by Elisabeth Dunker, fine little day’s founder and chief genius. i find it adorable. check out all her sublime posters and wall art.

louise hay’s quilts are works of art you just happen to lay down on or — throw on a bed. but i suppose they’re so beautiful you truly could consider hanging them on your walls. this particular one is called Louise Gray Throw Quilt No. 8 and i’m quite fond of the color palette. pick it up for someone you’d like to get cozy with, or who needs something to hang on their walls or warm their bed with.

would you like to give an artful gift that keeps on giving, at least all year long? how about a membership to your local museum, like LACMA? it’s really such a great gift because people often don’t splurge on museum memberships like this for themselves, but the cool thing is that when they go they can bring you, too because most memberships include two admission guest tickets every time you visit! win-win!

another gift that keeps on giving is masterclass — online classes taught by the true masters of their professions. instructors like annie leibovitz teaching photography, alice waters teaching cooking from fresh ingredients, judd apatow teaching comedy — the list goes on and on. anything from filmmaking by spike lee to cooking techniques from thomas keller, to writing and acting, even jane goodall teaching conservation. and masterclass is very affordable — an all-access pass gives the recipient every single class for just $180/year. a truly unique gift that personally, i would love! was that a not so subtle hint?

etsy is another sweet spot to hunt for unique, handmade or vintage gifts and artwork. for instance, i just love this vintage Mid Century Modern Cuban art poster from the bold modern shop. search to your heart’s desire on etsy for anything you can think of — from ceramics, to art prints and greeting cards, to handmade bath caddies — those of us seeking a unique shopping experience love etsy.

and last but hardly least — the gift of a great book! i particularly love Phaidon’s beautiful books and they even have full collections dedicated to art — like The Essential Art Book Collection, or for designers the white collection, and personally, i adore their gorgeous cookbooks — mexico is an all-time favorite. they’re so lovely you’ll want to leave them out on the kitchen counter. you just can’t go wrong with books!

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