Secret Santa gifts work well when they fit a real interest and feel easy to use. This collection spans painting, printmaking, photography, drawing, and art appreciation, with options for different workspaces and budgets.
15 Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Art Lovers
1. DUCLUS 16-Inch Photography Light Box
For Photographing Small Artwork
DUCLUS 16-Inch Photography Light Box
- 160 dimmable LEDs offer 10 brightness levels and 5500K daylight.
- Includes six PVC and two paper backdrops for different finishes.
- Folds for storage and supports overhead or front photography.
Best For: Artists or makers photographing small work for portfolios and sharing.
2. Falling in Art Wooden Tabletop Easel
A Desk-Friendly Painting Setup
Falling in Art Wooden Tabletop Easel
- Beech wood easel adjusts to hold canvas boards up to 24 inches.
- Five inner compartments organize brushes, pencils, and other tools.
- Folds into a portable sketchbox with a leather handle.
Best For: Painters who work at a desk or have limited studio space.
3. Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Kit
For Handmade Prints and Cards
Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Kit
- Includes four linoleum blocks, a brayer, baren, ink, and tools.
- Six blade options support detailed carving and clean cuts.
- Water-soluble ink cleans up with soap and water.
Best For: Printmakers and artists curious about relief printing.
4. JJRING 18-by-24-Inch Art Portfolio Bag
For Carrying Larger Artwork
JJRING 18-by-24-Inch Art Portfolio Bag
- Sized for 18-by-24-inch work, with a 19.6-by-25.6-inch exterior.
- Water-resistant Dacron fabric and a zipper closure.
- An outside zip pocket holds small items.
Best For: Art students and illustrators carrying drawings or posters.
5. Transon Set of 8 Round Paint Brushes
For Versatile Brushwork
Transon Set of 8 Round Paint Brushes
- Eight sizes range from #1 to #16 for varied marks.
- Round tips can handle fine details and medium washes.
- The brushes suit watercolor, acrylic, ink, gouache, oil, and tempera.
Best For: Painters building a versatile set of round brushes.
6. Artecho 50-Piece Soft Pastel Set
For Colorful Layering and Blending
Artecho 50-Piece Soft Pastel Set
- Includes 48 colors plus an extra black and white pastel.
- Square sticks can make fine lines, thick lines, and broad areas.
- Pastels support blending, layering, and shading.
Best For: Artists who enjoy expressive color and textured drawing.
7. Faber-Castell Polychromos 36-Color Pencil Tin
For Detailed Colored-Pencil Work
Faber-Castell Polychromos 36-Color Pencil Tin
- A metal tin holds 36 colors from the Polychromos line.
- Oil-based leads blend for layered effects and transitions.
- The 3.8 mm leads are described as break- and water-resistant.
Best For: Illustrators and sketchers who like working in colored pencil.
8. Neatfi Pro Adjustable LED Desk Lamp
For a Better-Lit Art Desk
Neatfi Pro Adjustable LED Desk Lamp
- Provides up to 2,300 lumens with CRI 95 color rendering.
- Touch dimming and adjustable color temperature let users tune the light.
- A flexible arm and clamp mount help position it at a desk.
Best For: Artists who draw, paint, sew, or craft at home.
9. Acurit 20-by-26-Inch Drawing Board
For Drafting and Measured Drawing
Acurit 20-by-26-Inch Drawing Board
- Parallel motion bar and transparent ruler support aligned drawing.
- Seven angle settings adjust the board up to 45 degrees.
- Laminated melamine surface is designed for easy cleanup.
Best For: Drafting, illustration, and design enthusiasts who work at a table.
10. ARTALLY 66-Piece Acrylic Painting Kit
A Ready-to-Use Acrylic Set
ARTALLY 66-Piece Acrylic Painting Kit
- Includes 32 acrylic colors, brushes, canvases, and a canvas pad.
- Beechwood tabletop easel folds into a box with a storage drawer.
- Also includes palette knives, palettes, and a brush-cleaning basin.
Best For: Acrylic painters or beginners setting up a compact workspace.
11. Datacolor SpyderCheckr Photo Color Chart
For Consistent Photo Color
Datacolor SpyderCheckr Photo Color Chart
- Four interchangeable cards provide 62 color targets.
- Targets include skin tones, gray scales, and white and black adjustments.
- SpyderCheckr software can create HSL presets for supported editing programs.
Best For: Photographers and digital artists refining color in their workflow.
12. Arches Cold-Press Watercolor Paper Block
For Watercolor Practice and Finished Work
Arches Cold-Press Watercolor Paper Block
- The 7-by-10-inch block contains 20 sheets.
- Cold-press texture supports detail and transparent watercolor effects.
- Each sheet is 300 GSM, according to the supplied product details.
Best For: Watercolor painters who appreciate textured paper.
13. Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs
For an Art-Loving Bookshelf
- This 302-page catalogue focuses on Matisse’s paper cut-outs.
- Features approximately 150 works and period photographs.
- Essays discuss the artist’s methods, materials, and evolving practice.
Best For: Art lovers interested in Matisse and the history of modern art.
14. Lineco Archival Photo Card Box
For Preserving Prints and Photographs
Lineco Archival Photo Card Box
- Acid-free boxboard is buffered with calcium carbonate.
- Metal-edge corners reinforce the 5-by-8-by-12-inch box.
- The clamshell design keeps its lid attached for opening and closing.
Best For: Photographers and printmakers storing small physical works.
15. Jack Richeson 6-Scoop Ceramic Brush Holder
A Useful Painting-Desk Addition
Jack Richeson 6-Scoop Ceramic Brush Holder
- White glazed porcelain holder has six scoops.
- Suitable for mixing inks, dyes, and water media.
- The polished ceramic piece can also keep brushes organized.
Best For: Painters who want brushes and small amounts of media close at hand.
How to Choose a Secret Santa Gift for an Art Lover
Start with the way the recipient makes or enjoys art. A painter may use brushes, paper, pastels, or a tabletop easel; a printmaker may appreciate carving tools and blocks; someone who documents work may value lighting or color-reference tools. If you are unsure of their medium, choose something useful across several activities, such as a brush holder, a book, or a portfolio bag, and check that the format fits how they work.
Think about their workspace, too. A compact easel or foldable light box can suit a small home setup, while a larger drawing board needs a table and room to store it. A bag or archival box is useful when the recipient transports or preserves finished pieces. For artists who already have established materials, a specific tool or art book can feel more considered than a large general supply set.
Set a Budget That Fits the Exchange
Secret Santa budgets vary, so decide on your limit before comparing gifts. Smaller practical objects, such as a ceramic brush holder or watercolor paper block, can be thoughtful without requiring a major purchase. Books and focused tools also make clear, self-contained gifts. Larger kits and workspace equipment bring together more components, but consider whether the recipient has the space and interest to use them.
For a gift with several parts, check what is actually included. The acrylic set, for example, combines paints, brushes, surfaces, palettes, and a tabletop easel; the linocut kit includes carving and printing supplies. A bundle can be convenient for someone exploring a medium, while a dedicated artist may prefer a targeted material that complements what they already use.
Check Compatibility and Personalization
Art supplies are personal. Before choosing paint or paper, consider what medium the recipient uses and whether the item supports it. The round brush set is described for watercolor, acrylic, ink, gouache, oil, and tempera, while the watercolor paper block is specifically for watercolor. The pastel set suits drawing, blending, layering, and shading. For tools with size limits, compare them with the recipient’s work: the tabletop easel holds canvas boards up to 24 inches, and the portfolio bag is designed for 18-by-24-inch work.
Compatibility matters for photography gifts as well. The light box is described for DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, and smartphones. The color checker works with a software workflow that names particular photo-editing programs, so it is best for someone who edits their images and wants color references. Personalization can be as simple as matching a gift to a subject they love, such as Matisse, or to a familiar routine like carrying sketches to class.
Plan for Christmas Timing and Last-Minute Decisions
Make the decision early enough to confirm the recipient’s medium, working space, and preferred dimensions. Avoid assuming a product will arrive by a particular date; check current availability and delivery estimates directly when ordering. For an in-person exchange, choose a size that is easy to bring along and wrap, or account for a box or bag that may need more space.
If time is short, favor a clearly relevant, self-contained item. A book about an artist they admire, paper for a known medium, or a compact organizer can be easier to match than complex equipment. When you know the recipient’s process, a more specialized gift—such as a drafting board, color chart, or printmaking kit—can be especially useful. A good Christmas gift for an art lover reflects how they create, study, carry, or care for art, rather than relying on seasonal decoration.
