The holidays bring a particular kind of gifting pressure — you want something meaningful, something that isn’t going to end up in a closet by February, something that says “I thought about you specifically” rather than “I panicked at the mall.” Original art checks every one of those boxes.
This guide is organized by relationship and budget, with specific recommendations from my own collection. Whether you’re shopping for your mother, your partner, your best friend, or the person who has everything, there’s an art gift here that will work.
For the Person Who Has Everything
This person doesn’t need another scarf or candle. What they need is something they would never buy for themselves — something handmade, one-of-a-kind, and beautiful.
A small original painting ($150–$350). A 5×7 or 8×10 watercolor is the kind of gift that stops someone in their tracks. It’s small enough to be personal, affordable enough to be generous without being extravagant, and genuinely unlike anything else they’ll receive. Browse my small originals and choose something that matches their taste — a Maine landscape for the nature lover, a floral for the garden enthusiast, an animal painting for the pet person.
A limited-edition signed print ($75–$200). If the original is beyond your budget, a signed-and-numbered limited-edition print carries the same image and the artist’s personal touch. The exclusivity of a limited edition — knowing only 50 or 100 copies will ever exist — makes it feel special and collectible. Browse limited editions →
For Parents and Grandparents
Parents and grandparents tend to value sentiment over novelty. Art gifts that connect to something they love — a place, a memory, a subject — land beautifully.
A painting of a place they love. If your parent has a connection to Maine, the coast, or New England, a painting from my Maine Landscapes collection will feel deeply personal. A painting of Portland Head Light for the family that vacationed in Cape Elizabeth. A coastal scene for the parent who always talks about missing the ocean.
A custom commission ($400+). The most meaningful gift I can think of: a painting of your family home, their garden, their pet, or a place that holds shared memories. Commission gifts require lead time — please reach out by early November for holiday delivery. Learn about commissions →
A greeting card set ($22–$28). For the parent who still writes handwritten notes. A boxed set of art greeting cards is practical, beautiful, and something they’ll use for months. Browse card sets →
For Your Partner
Art is romantic. It says: I notice what you love. I pay attention to what makes you happy. I’m giving you beauty that you’ll see every single day.
An original painting that speaks to their world. Choose based on what they love — florals for the gardener, a landscape for the hiker, an animal painting for the pet obsessed, a food still life for the cook. The key is specificity: don’t buy a generic painting. Buy one that connects to something real in their life.
A print of something that reminds you of each other. A Maine coastal scene from a trip you took together. A floral that echoes the flowers at your wedding. Art becomes a shared reference point — something you both look at and remember.
For Friends and Coworkers
These are the people where you want something thoughtful but not over-the-top — personal enough to be meaningful, practical enough to be useful.
The 2027 Art Calendar ($28). Twelve months of original watercolor paintings on their wall. Beautiful, functional, and affordable enough to give to multiple people. Order →
An art mug or tote ($22–$32). Daily-use items that happen to be gorgeous. My Casco Bay mug turns a coffee break into a moment. My Peonies tote turns a grocery run into a style statement.
An open-edition print ($35–$65). Affordable, beautiful, and giftable. An 8×10 print in a ready-made frame is a complete gift that’s ready to hang. Browse prints →
For the Art Collector
If you know someone who actively collects art, your gift needs to respect their taste while adding something new to their collection.
A gift voucher. Serious collectors want to choose their own pieces. Contact me at mollycfrantzenart@gmail.com and I can arrange a gift voucher for any amount — presented as a beautifully designed digital or printed certificate.
A limited-edition print from a new collection. Collectors love being early to a new series. If I’ve recently released a new collection, a signed print from that collection is a gift that says “I know your world and I’m paying attention.”
Ordering Deadlines
To ensure holiday delivery within the US:
- Custom commissions: Please inquire by November 15
- All other orders: Place by December 15 for standard shipping delivery by December 24
- Rush options: Contact me for expedited shipping if you’re cutting it close
Everything ships free within the US. I’ll include a handwritten gift note with any order — just add your message in the checkout notes.
[Shop the full holiday collection →](/holiday-gift-guide/)
For the general version of this guide: Art Gift Guide: Thoughtful Ideas for Art Lovers →
