How to Turn Your Art into Unique Christmas Gifts and Merchandise

Turn your art into unique holiday gifts or merchandise! Discover creative ideas and practical tips to make your artwork festive and gift-ready.

How to Turn Your Art into Unique Christmas Gifts and Merchandise

Hello, fellow art enthusiasts! With Christmas around the corner, it’s the perfect time to explore turning your artwork into thoughtful, personal gifts for loved ones—or even merchandise to share with a wider audience. There’s something magical about giving or selling art-based gifts, as they carry a piece of your creativity and personality, adding a special touch to the holiday season.

Whether you're a seasoned artist or just beginning to turn your artwork into items, this guide will walk you through some creative ways to spread holiday cheer with art-inspired gifts.

Why Art Makes a Special Gift

Art is meaningful, especially during the holidays, because it reflects thoughtfulness and creativity. A handmade or custom gift shows that you took the time to create something truly unique for someone special. It reminds me of my youngest daughter, who loves making hand-drawn gift tags every year. Each tag features an animal that holds a special meaning to the person she’s giving it to, and it’s incredible how such a small detail can make a gift feel more personal.

Before diving into gift ideas, consider your approach: do you want to create gifts exclusively for friends and family, or are you looking to share your holiday-themed art with a broader audience?

Ten Creative Art Gift Ideas for the Holidays

Here are some of my favorite ways to turn art into seasonal gifts and merchandise:

Art Prints
High-quality prints are a popular way to share your artwork affordably. You can create smaller prints for stocking stuffers or larger framed prints as centerpiece gifts. The beauty of prints is the versatility—they can be individual pieces or offered in sets. Printing services like Vistaprint make it easy to produce high-quality reproductions of your art without breaking the bank.
Greeting Cards
Greeting cards featuring your artwork are a wonderful way for fans to send warm wishes while supporting your art. You can create sets that include your art as a Christmas design or go for more general winter themes. Sites like Vistaprint offer great deals and quality, plus you can personalize each card with text or a special holiday greeting.
Calendars
Creating a calendar is a functional and year-round gift that allows you to showcase a new piece of art each month. It’s also an opportunity to incorporate seasonal themes that complement the months. I recently created my 2025 calendar on Vistaprint, which made the process easy. It’s a great way to use up artwork from the past year or create a cohesive collection with a specific theme.
Hand-Painted Ornaments
For a festive touch, try creating mini versions of your artwork on holiday ornaments. You can paint directly onto wood slices, ceramic, or glass ornaments, creating beautiful keepsakes that people will cherish for years. If you prefer not to hand-paint, print-on-demand options like Zazzle or Society6 let you add designs to ceramic ornaments.
Mugs and Coasters

Functional items like mugs and coasters are perfect for everyday use and allow your art to brighten up people’s lives. These items are particularly popular and make excellent gifts for friends, family, or customers. Look into Kmart or Vistaprint for affordable custom printing options, especially if you're ordering in bulk.
Gift Tags and Wrapping Paper
Custom wrapping paper or gift tags featuring your art is a fun way to add a unique flair to presents. For wrapping paper, think of creating a repeating pattern that works well in a variety of styles. You can order custom designs from sites like Zazzle or even DIY with butcher’s paper and print your own artwork onto it. My daughter’s hand-drawn gift tags are a great example of how even small touches like these make gifts feel more thoughtful.
Notebooks and Journals
Notebooks and journals with your artwork on the cover appeal to just about anyone who loves to write, draw, or journal. They’re practical and add a personal, artistic touch to an everyday item. Consider adding them to your holiday merchandise offerings, as these are often popular in both online and local markets.
Tote Bags and Pouches
Tote bags and pouches are functional and eco-friendly, making them fantastic gifts or merchandise. These items are popular year-round, but holiday designs or themed art can make them feel extra special. Society6 and Printful offer excellent options for producing tote bags, or check out other print-on-demand services for a variety of styles.
Art Kits or Print-at-Home Coloring Pages
Offering an art kit or downloadable coloring pages is a hands-on gift idea. For adults or children who want a creative activity, an art kit can be customized to fit a particular theme, such as winter animals or festive scenes. You can include mini prints, instructions, and materials or even make it a DIY project by bundling coloring pages.
Pillows and Blankets

Cozy home decor items like pillows and blankets are perfect for the holiday season, allowing people to incorporate art into their living spaces. These can be ordered through print-on-demand sites or produced locally for a truly special keepsake. Blankets and pillows add warmth to any room, making them great holiday gift options.

Practical Tips for Producing and Selling Art Merchandise

If you’re thinking about selling some of these items, here are a few tips to consider:

Use High-Quality Images: Ensure that you have a high-resolution (300 dpi) version of your artwork for the best print quality. This is especially important for larger items, like posters or blankets.
Choose Your Print-on-Demand Platform Carefully: Sites like Society6, Redbubble, Gelato, and Zazzle have a variety of products, so explore each to see what fits your style and price point. Many platforms let you integrate your shop with Etsy, streamlining your sales.
Consider Seasonal Artwork: While any artwork can make a great gift, holiday-specific designs, like Christmas scenes or winter animals, can make your products especially appealing this time of year. Adding festive elements to your art can make it feel more seasonal.
Offer Bundles: Creating a bundle with a few items, such as a mug, notebook, and print, can add value and increase sales potential, especially if you’re setting up at markets or fairs.

Closing Thoughts

Giving and selling art-based gifts is a beautiful way to share your creativity and offer something meaningful during the holidays. Whether you’re crafting gifts for loved ones or considering expanding into merchandise, now is the time to start creating! Think about the options above, and remember that many of these products can be customized to suit your art style and your audience.

If you try any of these ideas, I’d love to see what you come up with. Share your creations on social media and tag me so we can celebrate your festive artwork together. Happy creating and happy holidays!

Kerri xx

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