Choosing a Secret Santa gift for an art lover is easier when you focus on how they enjoy art: making it, studying it, displaying it, or solving a puzzle. These ideas range from approachable creative projects to useful studio equipment and art books.
16 Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Art Lovers
1. XPPen Artist 12 3rd Drawing Tablet
A Screen for Digital Sketching
XPPen Artist 12 3rd Drawing Tablet
- 11.9-inch display with AG etched glass and a foldable stand.
- X4 pen supports 16,384 pressure levels and 60-degree tilt.
- Includes dial wheels, customizable keys, and replacement pen tips.
Best For: Digital artists who want to draw directly on a screen.
2. MEEDEN 72-Color Oil-Based Pencil Set
A Colorful Tin for Drawing
MEEDEN 72-Color Oil-Based Pencil Set
- Includes 72 oil-based colored pencils in a metal storage tin.
- High-density pigment cores are described as smooth-gliding and break-resistant.
- Useful for portraits, sketching, journaling, and coloring.
Best For: Illustrators and sketchers who enjoy working in color.
3. Beechmore A4 Mixed-Media Sketchbook
A Gift-Boxed Sketchbook
Beechmore A4 Mixed-Media Sketchbook
- 156 pages of 160 GSM acid-free ivory paper.
- Smyth-sewn binding opens flat, with micro-perforated sheets for removal.
- Vegan leather hardcover, elastic closure, ribbon bookmark, and back pocket.
Best For: Artists who sketch regularly and appreciate substantial paper.
4. Grabie 50-Color Watercolor Set
A Portable Watercolor Kit
Grabie 50-Color Watercolor Set
- Set includes 50 watercolors, five detail brushes, a water brush pen, and sponge.
- Also includes a waterproof fineliner and watercolor paper pad.
- The tin stores the kit components together for painting on the go.
Best For: Art lovers exploring watercolor or painting away from home.
5. Foldable Beechwood Tabletop Easel
An Adjustable Desk Easel
Foldable Beechwood Tabletop Easel
- Beechwood stand has a 12.5 by 16.5-inch art surface.
- Five positions adjust from flat to a 75-degree angle.
- Foldable design and non-slip feet support tabletop use.
Best For: Artists who paint or draw at a desk or small table.
6. Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Kit
A Hands-On Printmaking Set
Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Kit
- Includes four linoleum blocks, black ink, a brayer, and a baren.
- Six blade options and a handle with built-in tool storage.
- Transfer papers, rubbing papers, and an illustrated instruction manual are included.
Best For: Makers curious about carving stamps and creating prints.
7. White Mountain Famous Art Jigsaw Puzzle
A Masterpiece Puzzle Night
White Mountain Famous Art Jigsaw Puzzle
- The 1,000-piece puzzle features works by artists including Monet and Klimt.
- Completed puzzle measures 24 by 30 inches.
- Pieces are described as extra-large and made from blue chipboard on recycled paper.
Best For: Art fans who enjoy tabletop puzzles and familiar paintings.
8. JJRING Art Portfolio Tote
A Carryall for Large Artwork
- 25 by 37-inch bag is sized for most 24 by 36-inch artworks.
- Water-resistant interior, zipper closure, and carry handle.
- Front pocket holds smaller supplies; the bag folds for storage.
Best For: Students and artists transporting drawings, posters, or boards.
9. Benicci 12-Piece Paint Brush Set
A Versatile Brush Collection
Benicci 12-Piece Paint Brush Set
- Set has 12 brushes in flat, round, fan, and filbert shapes.
- Nylon bristles and wooden handles are listed in the product details.
- Designed for acrylic, oil, watercolor, and mixed-media painting.
Best For: Painters who want a range of brush shapes for studio work.
10. MoMA Now: Highlights from The Museum of Modern Art
A Tour Through Modern Art
MoMA Now: Highlights from The Museum of Modern Art
- Illustrated book presents 375 works from MoMA's collection.
- Chronological overview spans art from around 1867 to 2017.
- Includes artists such as Monet, van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol.
Best For: Art lovers who enjoy exploring museum collections and reproductions.
11. Speedball Introductory Screen Printing Kit
A Starter Set for Screen Printing
Speedball Introductory Screen Printing Kit
- Includes a 10-by-14-inch wooden screen frame, squeegee, inks, and tools.
- Offers paper stencil and drawing-fluid-and-screen-filler methods.
- The instruction guide covers printing on fabric and paper.
Best For: Artists interested in making prints, stationery, or textile designs.
12. Art in Time: A World History of Styles and Movements
A World Art History Reference
Art in Time: A World History of Styles and Movements
- Surveys 150 styles and movements from Greek antiquity to the present.
- Uses timelines and cultural context to connect art with its era.
- The illustrated book is intended for general readers and specialists.
Best For: Curious art fans who like learning about movements and their history.
13. Renditions Gallery Van Gogh Harbor at Night Canvas
A Classic for the Wall
Renditions Gallery Van Gogh Harbor at Night Canvas
- Landscape canvas reproduction depicts van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhône.
- Cotton-poly canvas is stretched over a 1.5-inch wooden frame.
- Includes hanging hardware and is intended for indoor wall display.
Best For: Van Gogh admirers choosing art for a suitable wall space.
14. AdirOffice Five-Drawer Flat File Cabinet
A Home for Oversized Artwork
AdirOffice Five-Drawer Flat File Cabinet
- Five drawers store documents and sheets up to 24 by 36 inches.
- Steel cabinet has ball-bearing sliders, drawer depressors, and label holders.
- Lock and stackable design are listed among its features.
Best For: Artists with a dedicated studio and large sheets to organize.
15. Rechargeable A3 LED Tracing Light Pad
A Light Board for Tracing
Rechargeable A3 LED Tracing Light Pad
- A3 pad has touch controls for three color temperatures and adjustable brightness.
- Foldable stand adjusts to six angles, and a magnetic clip holds paper.
- Includes a USB-C cable, pencil, and drawing papers.
Best For: Illustrators and lettering artists who transfer or trace sketches.
16. Futura: The Artist’s Monograph
A Deep Look at Street Art
Futura: The Artist's Monograph
- Monograph follows Futura's career across more than forty years.
- Includes reproductions, personal photographs, ephemera, and interviews.
- Covers his role in graffiti, galleries, and street culture.
Best For: Art fans interested in contemporary art and graffiti history.
Choosing a Secret Santa Gift for an Art Lover
Start with the recipient’s creative habits rather than guessing at their skill level. Someone who draws every day may appreciate a sketchbook or colored pencils, while a painter may find more use in brushes, watercolors, or a tabletop easel. For a person who likes trying unfamiliar techniques, printmaking and screen printing kits provide materials and instructions for a project they can explore at home.
If you do not know whether they make art themselves, choose something that supports looking and learning. A museum collection book, an art history survey, or a fine-art puzzle suits a reader or culture enthusiast as well as a practicing artist. A monograph can be especially thoughtful if you know the recipient admires that artist or style. These make art-themed Christmas gifts without relying on seasonal decoration or assumptions about the recipient’s workspace.
Match the Gift to the Budget
For a modest Secret Santa budget, consider an art book, a puzzle, a sketchbook, or a focused set of pencils or brushes. These are useful, self-contained gifts with an obvious connection to art. A larger paint or printmaking kit may suit a more generous spending limit, particularly when the recipient has expressed interest in trying that medium.
Equipment such as a drawing tablet, light pad, or easel can make a memorable gift, but first consider whether it fits the person’s routine. Studio storage furniture is a substantial commitment in both cost and space, so it is best suited to someone whose studio needs are already clear. If the group sets a strict price cap, compare the item’s current price before choosing; prices can change, and no gift guide can guarantee a particular total at checkout.
Check Compatibility, Space, and Personalization
Creative tools work best when they match the recipient’s existing setup. A digital drawing tablet may need to connect to a computer or other compatible device, so check the person’s operating system and available connections before choosing. For a tracing pad, easel, or flat-file cabinet, consider the intended work size and the space available. The cabinet in this list is designed for sheets up to 24 by 36 inches and is far larger than a typical Secret Santa gift, so reserve it for a known studio need.
For consumable supplies, think about the medium they already use. Watercolor supplies, oil-based colored pencils, and brushes for acrylic, oil, or watercolor serve different techniques. You do not need to know every detail of an artist’s practice: a sketchbook or a book about art can be a safer choice when preferences are uncertain. Personalize the gift with a short note explaining why you chose it, such as a shared memory of a museum visit or the style of art they enjoy. That gives an ordinary useful item a more personal Christmas touch.
Timing and Last-Minute Decisions
Plan around the item’s size and the time needed to make the choice. A small book, puzzle, or portable supply set is straightforward to wrap and give in person. Larger equipment may need room for transport and setup, so confirm that it suits the recipient before committing. For online purchases, check the seller’s current delivery estimate and return terms yourself; delivery dates can vary, especially near Christmas.
When time is short, select a gift whose purpose is clear and whose compatibility is easy to judge. A sketchbook, art-history book, or puzzle can still feel considered if you pair it with a note about the recipient’s interests. For tools and kits, avoid guessing at specialized preferences when a simpler art-related choice would be more welcome. A useful gift that reflects how someone creates, collects, or enjoys art is a strong Secret Santa pick.