The sensible pyjamas from Aunty Ann, box set from your brother, the latest bestseller from your mum and a pair of nice new earrings from your spouse, were all lovely, well received gifts. Without wishing to sound ungrateful, they were pretty predictable too. Whether it’s Christmas or Birthdays, even when we agonise over what to buy, we end up giving and receiving a whole lot of nothing. Well, nothing that really means anything. Gadgets, gift vouchers, gloves and golf clubs are great presents but surely a gift should mean more. This is rather sad and perhaps totally misses the whole point of giving but – where’s the substance?

Giving a present is one of the best feelings we can get. Photo courtesy of jayneandd.

You may treasure your i-Pod, you may not be able to live without your new mobile phone but these items don’t define you and mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. So, what is an extra-special, incredibly thoughtful, totally unique gift? Well, monetary value isn’t a factor; you’ll probably find that some of your most treasured possessions are in fact worthless.

Items we treasure are almost always personal. There has been an explosion in the personalised gift market recently and you can literally put your name on anything, it’s quick, easy and can be done online. A nice idea but the problem is it lacks soul. So, the perfect gift must be meaningful too. It must speak to the receiver on more than one level. But where do you find a present that’ll do all this? The answer lies in art.

There is no better gift than an original piece of art; chosen with great thought, it is truly unique and personally relevant to the recipient. For any occasion, here’s why art is the perfect present…

Above: Looking forward to giving your Christmas presents? Worried about what to buy? Photo courtesy of alliecreative.

Unique at Christmas

Original art is unique; there aren’t many things you can buy someone where you can confidently say that no-one else in the world owns this – only you. You certainly won’t have to worry about the fact that your sister or aunt may have bought the same thing. It will also be completely unexpected. This makes it the ideal Christmas present; it’s memorable and will really stand out amongst other gifts.

Personal for Birthdays

The gift of art is perfect for birthdays because it’s so personal. Displaying art allows people to express their individuality and convey what makes them unique. Just like the occasion, your gift will be all about the individual, a reflection of who they are, what they love, how they’re special.

Remembering a Milestone

Art captures those magic moments that you just cannot articulate. This means it’s a superb way to celebrate a milestone. Many people buy art to remember a certain place, time, moment or feeling in their life. It can be the perfect way to mark a special occasion or event, capturing the memory forever. Art speaks to you on more levels than a commemorative glass or clock ever could.

Above: Saying thank you! Photo courtesy of wwworks.

Saying Thanks

Art improves quality of life; this makes it a great way to say a heartfelt thank-you. It gives pleasure and is uplifting when the stress and strains of daily life get you down. Therefore, the gift of art is fitting for someone who has been a big help in your life.

Romantic for your Valentine

An image can say more than words – if you want to show your love for someone, you can capture this through art. The feelings you have for the person you love can be conveyed powerfully and intimately through a painting. A piece of art is incredibly romantic as it’s a gift given from the heart.

Eternal for Weddings

Art is something to treasure forever, it won’t wear out or expire. This makes it a great wedding present; it is lasting and will endure the test of time. It is a legacy to leave behind for future generations as a symbol of the marriage. The couple will be able enjoy their artwork forever, as will their children and grand-children thereafter. When it’s passed down in a will, the love story will last an eternity. Aside from this, newlyweds tend to be in the midst of decorating of their new nest, so art makes sense, even if it’s just so they’ve got something to put on their walls.

You don’t need to fit every wedding gift onto the table. Photo courtesy of Quattroftw.

Decoration for House Warming

Art work for the home is an apt housewarming gift. A piece of art can complement the décor, act as a focal point but more importantly, it puts the movers’ unique stamp on the space. Plus, they may not have acquired enough pieces to decorate their new place yet. Be confident about the style you’re looking for and make sure that the recipient has a place to accommodate it.

Some say that art is far too personal to purchase as a present. You have visions of a friend or relative stuck, displaying art in their home that they simply don’t connect with. Then there’s that awkward moment when they receive the gift and have to pretend they like it. Giving a gift this special is not something we should shy away from in fear of awkwardness. Art is the most wonderful gift because it is so personal.

Don’t be afraid to buy a gift that’s so subjective. Simply ask yourself who the receiver is. What do they like? What is important to them? This could be nature, animals, a certain place or even that they love to go skiing. Art is not just for art lovers, it’s for anyone. Get it right and you’ll make someone very happy.