The ART of Gift Giving. Favorite Gift Ideas from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Favorite gift ideas from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store…

I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to yell out the first thing that comes to mind. Ready? Name a place you’d love to go with your family over the holidays…

What came to mind? Was it someplace close to home like a local Christmas tree farm? Church on Christmas Eve for the annual pageant? Or did you go someplace more exotic? Maybe your mind wandered someplace that you haven’t yet been, but has always been on your bucket list.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Met Store. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

If you thought “New York City”, then great! I’ll meet you there with my family, and we can join up for hot chocolate in Central Park. Because that’s exactly where my mind went, too.

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New York is one of those iconic places you just HAVE to visit at least once in your life during the holidays. Catching the Rockettes for the Christmas Spectacular, a horse-drawn carriage ride near The Plaza Hotel, ice skating in Central Park, gazing at the tree in Rockefeller Center, wandering through FAO Schwarz and tap dancing on the famed piano from “Big?” And these are just a few of the many things that make Christmas in Manhattan truly magical.

One of the most magical places to visit during the holidays is The MET (The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art).

 

Of course, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a wonderful place to visit at ANY time of the year. There you can see famous works by Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, as well as an Egyptian temple which dates to 10 B.C. and one of my favorites, George Washington crossing the Delaware in the esteemed (and gargantuan) piece by Emanuel Leutze.

 

At Christmas time, the MET displays its cherished 20′ tall angel tree with a beautiful and elaborate créche in the sculpture hall. It is something you won’t soon forget.

And beyond the exceptional art exhibits, the museum boasts another fantastic attraction at the holidays; the Metropolitan Museum of Art store. Just as the collection inside the museum is both extensive and outstanding, the same goes for the MET Museum store.

And even if you can’t go there in person to shop this holiday season, you can go virtually! We aren’t heading to NYC this Christmas, but that didn’t stop me from grabbing some wonderful Christmas gifts through the online shop.

 

Purchases at The Met Store support the Museum’s collection, study, conservation, and presentation of 5,000 years of art. It makes me feel good to purchase there knowing that my dollars are helping support the arts.

For my own kids, who have been to the MET and love going there, I got a happy and colorful felt palette ornament. Also, check out the NYC taxi they carry. It is adorable. Most of the sizeable collection of Christmas ornaments they carry are artful replicas of various pieces in the MET collection.

 

I didn’t buy any this year but check out their assortment of advent calendars. There is one that is a replica of their beloved angel tree and nativity scene.

The kids’ book collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art store is my department. I couldn’t resist this awesome children’s book, “Why is Art Full of Naked People,” by Susie Hodge.

It is full of gorgeous artwork with amazing stories that bring mature art to a place that’s reachable and understandable for children. Honestly, it brings art to a level that makes it feel more relatable to me as well!

 

If you have a friend or relative who loves scarves and shawls, they have a beautiful selection there. I got this French paisley striped shawl for my sister. Don’t tell her I “maybe” wore it for a little bit to snap a few pics. The print is based on a mid-19th century wool and silk shawl in the museum’s collection.

 

For two of my close friends, I found some gorgeous jewelry. For one, a Byzantine gold bead necklace, modeled after one at the MET that dates to the 6th-7th century.

 

And for another girlfriend, a multi-strand freshwater pearl bracelet. While in recent past, cultured pearls gained a lot of popularity, back in the 16th-century freshwater pearls were a sign of status and favored because of how each one was unique. I’ve always preferred freshwater pearls for the same reason.

 

Why fit in and be the same when you can be different? And that’s just how my friend is…unique in the best possible way.

For those unique friends and family members on your list who always stump you when it comes to gift giving, I’d highly recommend a quick virtual stroll through the store at the MET. You’re sure to find some “one of a kind” gift ideas for those “one of a kind” people you love. The Metropolitan Museum of Art store even has a wonderful online gift guide to help you a bit more with your selections.

Happy holidays, be it in the heart of New York City ordering room service at The Plaza ala Kevin McCallister, or home on your own comfy couch watching the Hallmark channel with hot chocolate in your PJs. Christmas is a special time of year. Let’s enjoy it!

 

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