Art & Culture – Christmas gifts with a twist

CHRISTMAS GIFTS WITH A TWIST

CONSIDER THESE ART-INSPIRED GIFTS THAT WILL KEEP ON GIVING. BY TRINA RYAN

Christmas is fast approaching, which means it’s time to get innovative. Decorating, cooking and baking, planning family get-togethers—these typical holiday activities can be gratifying but also anxiety-inducing. Perhaps most stressful of all is thinking of the perfect gifts to give those special people in your life. Sure, gift cards are a safe bet, but everyone appreciates a thoughtful expression of love or gratitude. Material objects offer transitory pleasure, while personalized gifts make a lasting impression, resonating for years or even a lifetime. Flex your creative muscles this holiday season by adding a dash of artistic flair to your gift-giving. Read on for a list of art-inspired gift ideas that will give you and your loved ones something to look forward to in 2023.

A DIGITAL PLAYLIST

In the days of yore, when we had such things known as CDs and cassette tapes, we would make personalized playlists and give them as gifts. Welcome to 2022, where CDs and cassettes have become so anachronistic that many cars don’t even have the equipment to play them. But not to worry, because if you still want to gift a playlist you are not out of luck.

Apple now offers the option of sharing music via email. Open the latest version of iTunes on one of your Apple devices, select the songs you want to gift, then go to the dropdown arrow next to “Buy.” Click the arrow and select the gift option. After you’ve selected this option, you will be prompted to enter the recipient’s email address. You can then personalize your gift message and send immediately or at a later date.

A CHRISTMAS PHOTO BOOK

Creating a photo album is one of the easiest and most personalized gifts you can give someone. Not to mention taking a walk down memory lane is fun and will encourage you to be grateful for the people in your life and the adventures you’ve shared with them. There are no rules and infinite options when it comes to crafting your own photo album. You can buy a plain photo album from the store and dress it up with heartwarming messages, or, if you’re feeling tech savvy, you can make a photo book online at sites like Shutterfly. No matter what you decide, the person receiving it will no doubt be thankful for the time and effort you put into making such a thoughtful gift. ADULT COLORING BOOKS

You might be thinking, Aren’t coloring books for kids? Not necessarily! Adult coloring books have been all the rage lately—and for good reason. According to Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, they offer an array of mental health benefits. Think back to when you were a kid, how the simplest activity could keep you occupied for hours. Adult coloring books, often using intricate designs like mandalas, flowers, and geometric patterns, employ the same concept: forcing your mind to focus intently on one thing so that you become fully engaged with what you’re doing. This is what’s known as “mindfulness,” or being present in the moment.

Other notable benefits include helping relieve stress and practicing self-acceptance. There’s no right or wrong way to color. You are free to explore, unleash your creativity and imagination. This is especially a great exercise for perfectionists who avoid artistic endeavors lest they fail to meet their own impossibly high standards. Adult coloring books may seem a silly idea at first, but inspiring others to get in touch with their inner child will give them the priceless gifts of peace and joy. And that’s what the holiday season is all about.

A MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP

Your loved one doesn’t have to be an art lover to appreciate a museum membership. Museums, especially of late, have become much more inclusive—not just in terms of artistic diversity but in making their services more accessible to a wider swath of people. Many museums offer arts education classes, public events, concerts, and much more.

Not only will a museum membership be something to enjoy year-round, but you will be contributing to an important charitable cause. During the height of the pandemic, museums worldwide suffered a major financial blow. According to the most recent International Council of Museums report, of the 840 museums across five continents that participated in the council’s survey, “almost 70% reported a loss of more than 50% of their annual visitors.” Now that museums are open and offering more diverse exhibitions, why not create some magical memories with someone special while supporting your local arts community?

TICKETS TO AN ARTS AND CULTURE FESTIVAL

Gifts don’t have to be all about material objects. They can also be experiences, which are far more valuable. Look up festivals near you, or maybe you and your loved one can travel, making it an adventurous road trip. One exciting event that might be happening in your area is the 23rd Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, a 10-day celebration of African American arts and culture, featuring local and nationally known speakers, musicians, artists, poets, writers and artisans. The event, scheduled for January 6-15, will be offering a two-day music fest and the wildly popular play “Hamilton” on January 8. For more information, visit tampablackheritage.org.

Also taking place, from June 14-18, is the 27th American Black Film Festival, held in Miami Beach. This event brings together Black artists, executives, and content creators from around the world for five days of screenings, panel discussions, exclusive parties, and high-powered networking opportunities. For more information, visit https://www.abff.com/miami/. RESERVATIONS TO PAINT AND SIP CLASSES

What could possibly make painting with a friend more enjoyable? Drinking wine! Painting classes offering libations have exploded in popularity—so in demand that you shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding a location near you. The concept of these classes is simple: An instructor guides a group of inexperienced artists through a painting session while participants have the option to drink alcohol, a humorous take on traditional painting classes. Part of the fun is that everyone is in unfamiliar territory together, with a little booze to leaven the awkwardness. Best of all, participants get to take their artwork home, a memento of the evening. Who knows? You and your companion may be better artists than you think.

REVAMPED PICTURE FRAMES

If you have some old picture frames lying around the house, you might be able to put them to good use by refurbishing them. If you don’t have frames on hand, buy inexpensive ones at your nearest arts and crafts store. To get that elegant, vintage look, we recommend ornate or Baroque-style picture frames.

A few other items you’ll need: chalky paint (buy several different colors if you’re planning on painting more than one frame), light satin varnish, crème wax, some paintbrushes, and an old cloth. Cover the glass with a newspaper, taping it in place and trimming the edges. Paint the frames and let dry for 30 minutes. Then add the varnish and let dry for 30 minutes. Last, add the crème wax, wiping away the excess. It’s okay if it smears; this will give your frames a rustic finish. Let the wax dry for 30 minutes.

Viola! You have a beautiful set of picture frames that your loved one can fill with memories or use to create a stunning gallery wall.

Trina Ryan is a freelance writer and fundraiser in Orlando. She writes the Art & Culture department in ONYX Magazine.