The Most Popular Least Expensive Gifts

For guests who don’t want to spend a lot at the gift shop, there are lots of popular options. Ian Cunningham, operations manager at Crater Rock Museum in Central Point, Ore., said grab bags are all the rage. They’re filled with local stones that have been tumbled to create a beautiful shine. “At $5, you can’t go wrong,” he said.

M2 Model Kits and die-cast models are by far the most popular less-expensive items at LeMay - America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Wash., said Crystal Buxton, retail manager. “These toys are highly collectible and have a strong following,” she said. The die-cast models are created in limited edition runs with rare models mixed in. They are highly detailed, and feature makes and models that are very popular with the museum’s demographic. They retail from $9.99 to $19.99.

At the African American Museum (AAMP) in Philadelphia, Pa., Amber Mays, vice president of operations said the AAMP lapel pin, the perfect complement to any blazer or blouse, is a top-selling inexpensive item which is priced at $7.

Jennifer Heslin, director of retail at the Whitney Museum in New York, N.Y., said oneinch pin back buttons by artist Noah Lyon fly off the shelves. “Customers love to comb through them, finding the perfect handful of imaginative drawings featuring themes of political satire, social critique, simple observations, and offbeat humor,” she said. ❖

It retails for $85.

Alfa Romeo soft shell jackets, knot sweaters, and hats are also top sellers. Provided by local purveyor Tony Schmidt, these high-quality apparel items convey the class and sophistication that are synonymous with the Alfa Romeo Brand. “Alfa fans love to sport their gear and show Italian pride,” Buxton said. Items range from $79 to $120.

Art prints in various sizes including canvas prints from Artist Kelly Telfer are another best-seller for Buxton. “This California-based creator paints a series of racing scenes and iconic sports cars that guests can’t get enough of,” she said. “Images of Porche, McLaren, and Ferrari blazing around corners during well-known races are sure to captivate any European Racing fan.” They are priced from $49.99 to $485.

The Frazier Kentucky History Museum shop sells more than 90 bottles of bourbon that range in price, age, and size. “Many out-of-state tourists want to take home a special bottle of bourbon from Kentucky,” Janes said.

In addition to the liquor itself, U.S.-made granite beverage dispensers sell well for Janes because they are the perfect fixture for an at-home bar. Funky Rock creates these fully functional dispensers that allow any bottle of alcohol to sit atop a gorgeous stone and dispense a beverage.

Bourbon barrel heads are another hit for Janes, as they are plentiful in Kentucky. Bourbon can be aged in new charred oak barrels, so many local artists have designed and personalized parts of the barrels. “They make another great addition to a home bar,” she said.

Cunningham said rock tumblers fly off the shelves as people become more interested in the do-it-yourself side of rock collecting. Amethysts are also popular because they’re beautiful minerals.

For MacPherson, a collector’s book called “Among His Troops: Discovering the Only Known Image of Washington’s Tent,” is a best-seller because it relates to a special exhibit at the museum. “Every guest is wowed by this presentation, so the book is a great addition to the story,” he said.

Jennifer Heslin , director of retail at the Whitney Museum in New York, N.Y., said hand-crafted bioplastic vessels by Artist Caroline Zimbalist sell well. “Each one is unique and has its own personality or Continued on page 46