Need a gift for your friend or family member who is a starving artist? Gift baskets are a wonderful idea, but many people struggle with what to buy for a creative person.

It is very important not to just go to an art store and start filling up a basket. Do some research. Find out what medium the artist works in and go from there. Painters need different supplies than sculptors do and it's imperative to get it right. Contact a local art teacher to help you find the best supplies for the correct medium of art. Ask which supplies are of high quality and what items need to constantly be restocked.

Another idea is to give the artist something that will help them expand their knowledge and learn a different craft. Artists often appreciate learning to use new tools and mediums. Consider a set of calligraphy pens or a set of woodcarving tools. Avoid getting them "how to" books. Any artist knows that art is not something you can learn from a book.

If you are still unsure as to what to include in your gift basket, try purchasing small, beautiful gifts such as a candle holder from a boutique or a lovely new journal and include a gift certificate to an art supply store.

Though your artist friend may be a painter, most artists appreciate other fine art forms and look forward to experiencing them. Tickets to a play or a show are a good idea to include in the basket, as are blank cds, concert tickets for a band they like or a gift card to the local cinema.

Finally, try using your creative abilities to come up with something besides the traditional basket to fill up with your goodies. Go to an antique store and look around. You might find an old milk can you can use or an empty snare drum. You never know what is lying around for you to use in a creative way that your artist friend will appreciate. Decorate your container with fresh flowers, shredded funny papers, or tissue paper...whatever best adds to the correct tone of your basket. Your friend will be delighted that you took the time to research what he or she does and that you didn't just go the the art store and pick up some random brushes and a canvas.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Brister.
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