Ten Artful Gifts for Museum Store Sunday

Museum Store Sunday is upon us! This Sunday, November 30, everyone can enjoy discounts and events at more than 2,200 museum stores across the world. To spark inspired shopping this holiday season, we asked Getty staff for their top recommendations from the Getty Museum Store, along with past hits among friends and family.

Ceramic Olive Oil Jugs

Patti Araque, executive assistant for the office of VP/Chief Information Officer, loves the store’s ceramic jugs. These hand-painted, 500-milliliter containers from Puglia contain olive oil made from Peranzana and Coratina olives that were pressed at the award-winning Frantoio Galantino oil mill. “I’ve purchased several as gifts,” says Araque, who also recommends the store’s Venetian wrapping paper, scented candles, and small soaps.

If...25th Anniversary Edition

“I think every child in early development should have a copy of this remarkable picture book,” says Margaret A. Combs-Brookes, council liaison at the Getty Research Institute. “If... is a mix of whimsy, wonder, and delight. Its stunningly simple, yet complex, watercolor illustrations encourage conceptualizing and analysis at a critical age and inspire young imaginations to think outside the box in a fun and fulfilling way.” First published in 1995 and recently reissued to celebrate the book’s 25th anniversary, this was Getty’s first children’s title. Author Sarah Perry is a sculptor who lives in California’s Tehachapi Mountains.

DIY Charcuterie Basket

“I love giving Getty charcuterie baskets for gifts,” says Nia Robertson, an assistant digital media producer. “I’ll include honey with a little spreader, crackers, shortbread cookies, a mini chocolate bar, and the little pretzel snack packs. Sometimes I throw in a cute postcard too if the recipient is artsy. It’s very trendy and always looks impressive for a pretty low price.” The DIY aspect can also encourage a theme: does your giftee love olives or Italy? Consider the Appetizer Board with Olive Dish, Olive Branch Serving Set, or Spreader with Olive Motif Ceramic Handle and tuck in an Alma-Tadema - Spring - Panoramic Postcard.

Van Gogh Irises Puzzle

Did you know that doing jigsaw puzzles can reduce stress and sharpen your memory? This particular set, with 1,000 pieces, also invites puzzlers to immerse themselves in the iconic brushstrokes and vivid colors of one of the Getty Museum’s most popular paintings, Irises by Vincent van Gogh. “Whenever I need to get a new puzzle, I usually check museum stores first,” says podcast producer Zoe Goldman. “Irises is just the right level of challenge, in my opinion.” The store also has a 1,000-piece puzzle of Van Gogh’s Bedroom at Arles (Musée d’Orsay, Paris).

Going to the Getty

“Since starting at Getty as an intern in 2022, Going to the Getty has been a go-to gift every holiday season for friends and family members with children (and adults too),” says Elsa Haarstad, assistant project specialist at the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI). This illustrated children’s book for ages three and up, called “seriously witty” by the New York Times, was created by J.otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh, whose other beloved titles include Olive, the Other Reindeer and Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride. Going to the Getty takes readers on a delightful glide up the Getty tram and through the museum, gardens, and conservation laboratories.

Dixit: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words!

Lead producer Devin Kelsay is a fan of this award-winning game of imagination and creativity that lets every player be a storyteller. With its 84 dreamlike illustrations on large text-free cards, “Dixit is an amazing game that has a huge following (evidenced by lots of expansions),” says Kelsay. “It’s good for kids and adults,” he adds, which is worth considering for families facing that final stretch of school winter break.

Medusa Hat

“This is by far my favorite Getty purchase of all time,” says Judith Barr, a curatorial assistant in Antiquities. “Honestly, I bought it for Halloween, but there’s really no limit: scare away Monday morning meetings! Spice up grocery shopping! Delight small children!” This shiny lamé headpiece is composed of nine snakes with bendable wire, and Barr adds: “It’s the perfect accesssssssssssory for social distancing, averting the evil eye, and bringing a little joy into your closet.”

Curve Earrings

“I love the Getty Curve earrings!” says Quin Fraley, a library assistant. “They’re my go-to gift for far-off friends. They’re so easy to slip into an envelope and send a little piece of LA/Getty/me to my friends and family.” This earring set blends art and architecture, is available in gold or silver tone, and pays tribute to the Getty Museum’s iconic piano curve.

Monet Postcard

“I gotta go with the postcards with pictures of our art on them,” says Will Holst, lead content strategist in Web Communications. “With everything we do being so electronic and impersonal, it’s always nice to be able to send someone a little tangible card saying hello or asking how they are doing.” Holst has one on his fridge that features a favorite Getty collection piece by Monet, The Portal of Rouen Cathedral in Morning Light. “It’s nice to have a little paper memento of it that I can send to a loved one whenever I feel like it,” he adds.

Blackwing Slate Notebook - Medium Gray

Rogene Gad, project manager in Administration for the GCI, bought this notebook for her husband, an avid doodler, for his birthday. “He doodles on everything,” she says. “Envelopes, scrap pieces of paper, napkins, no matter. I started to keep the doodles, but there was never a good place to store them.” Gad’s solution was to buy him this A5 hardcover notebook with 160 pages of GSM ivory paper, which comes with a pencil holster and Blackwing Matte pencil (a favorite writing instrument for musicians, woodworkers, and authors).

“My husband pops it open every now and again and just doodles,” Gad says. “He loves to draw and color with the grandkids too, so I thought this would become a great keepsake for one of them. It looked like so much fun, I bought the black one for myself! Now I’m a happy doodler too.”

For more holiday picks, shop the store’s gift guide. You can browse by interest type, price, best sellers, and more.