Original Art: A Thoughtful Gift Beyond Gift Cards

Original Art I Received As A Gift

I had something really thoughtful written up about this topic, but I decided to trash it and kind of say this through photos....

An Original Mini Painting I Received 37 Years Ago As A Gift

An Original Mini Painting I Received As A Gift

An Original Painting I Received As A Gift

An Original Painting On Wood I Received As A Gift

Another Original Painting On Wood I Received As A Gift

An Original Mini Painting By A Local Artist I Purchased From Our Local Gallery Years Ago. This painting is a refrigerator magnet and has remained on my fridge ever since!

The top two bird paintings I got myself as a gift, the little bird's nest painting was a gift to me.

Two original mini paintings I bought myself as a gift

Where all the gift cards I've been given ended up.

---

So here's how I feel about it.  I do think gift cards have a place.  For example, if you know someone really wants something from a place, and they need to pick it out themselves for some reason, such as picking the right clothing or shoe size, then yeah, a gift card would work.  If you've been chosen to give a gift to a coworker and you have no clue what that person would like, then yes, a gift card might be a good choice.  If you want to give someone a dinner out "on you", then yes,  a gift card works.  What would be better, however, is to consider actually inviting them out, and personally taking them out to dinner or lunch.  Just my opinion!

As for the gift cards I've received, which seem to be growing by leaps and bounds with every "gift giving time", I honestly can't remember them.  After use, they end up in the trash, and they are promptly forgotten. 

The original art I've received and/or purchased as gifts for myself, however, stays put.  I have a visual reminder of these gifts all the time!  They are all special -- they MEAN SOMETHING more personal.  They go way above and beyond a gift card to Walmart or Pizza Hut.  

So how do you pick original art for someone? 

Number one, you cannot go wrong with a landscape or beautiful scene.  Everyone appreciates a lovely scene, whether it be a water or river scene, mountains, skies and clouds, beach scenes, etc. 

Number two, think of their favorite things...is it birds, wildlife?  Do they love cats?  Dogs?  How about flowers?  Do they garden?  Are they into cool old cars?  Race cars?  Do they like things to do with outer space?   What are their hobbies?  Perhaps pick an original work of art which coincides with their favorite hobby!  Do they prefer abstract?  Do they have a favorite color?  Do they collect certain things around a certain theme?  Do they have a special place they love?  Asking yourself those questions can help with picking out art for a gift.

Number three, think of your budget.  If you were going to give someone a gift card for $50, $100, $500, etc, you can literally find great original art in ALL PRICE RANGES.  For example, Daily Paintworks, a website I offer my work on, has a huge range of prices as well as a wide range of art selections.  Not only that, but they have auctions running all the time for original art, and the prices range from small to large. 

While gift cards serve some purpose in today's world, the gift of original artwork stands as a testament to the thoughtfulness, creativity, and enduring nature of true generosity. In choosing original art over plastic gift cards which will eventually end up in the trash, you can actually turn the act of giving into an art form, creating a lasting legacy of beauty, emotion, and connection.  If you want that, of course.  Just something to think about!