A few months ago, stepping into the grand marble entrance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art marked my first visit since the pandemic began. Inside, a familiar instinct took over, guiding me straight to a beloved destination: the gift shop. Amidst a captivating display of Costume Institute postcards, overflowing tables laden with lacquered trays, catalogues raisonnés, Art Deco chandelier earrings, embossed notepads, desk calendars, enamel lapel pins, leather journals, and intriguing amulets, I experienced a consumerist form of Stendhal syndrome – or perhaps, spend-all syndrome? The allure stemmed from the fact that nearly every item was appealing, yet utterly unnecessary. After almost two years of minimal in-person shopping, the wonderfully staged extravagance of the Met shop jolted me back into a state of pure purchasing pleasure.
Truthfully, my fascination extends beyond the Met shop or the MOMA Design Store, despite their impeccable curation. Intriguingly, the more niche or specialized a museum, the more captivating its gift shop tends to be. Transport me to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, with its gaucho hats and hammered silver alphabet jewelry. Lead me to the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, showcasing pierogi earrings and Yinzer stickers. Take me to the Tenement Museum, home to bagel-shaped salt and pepper shakers (arguably the pinnacle of New York museum store treasures). While each shop shares its ethos—and profits—with its parent institution, many smaller, quirkier museum shops stock their shelves with peculiar trinkets that capture the museum’s spirit rather than its literal subject matter. (Consider this set of disembodied-leg “herb markers” from the delightfully macabre Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, or a hand-stitched leather goblet from Hampton Court Palace in London.) A truly exceptional museum shop feels like a delightful fusion of a local flea market, a late-night Etsy browsing session, a mall novelty kiosk, a cozy corner bookstore, and a vivid dream. This gift guide, arriving perhaps a tad late for peak holiday shopping, serves as an inspirational starting point for your gift-finding adventures in the years ahead – for both yourself and others. Important note: most outstanding museum shops now operate fully online, yet the in-person treasure hunt is undeniably half the enjoyment.
Prices listed below are accurate as of publication but may fluctuate over time.
Embrace Surprise, Ditch the Souvenir
Let’s address the obvious: nobody desires a generic commemorative shot glass, a commonplace rubber fridge magnet, or a sweatshirt loudly proclaiming the name of a venerable non-profit like a piece of sports merchandise. When exploring a museum store, resist the tempting allure of logo-emblazoned trinkets. These items broadcast either “I was there” (which, as the gift-giver, you’re already subtly implying) or “I support this institution” (admirable, but your gifts should evoke joy, not just virtuousness). In the realm of museum gifting, the more unexpected and unconventional, the better. Consider a toothpick-holder bird ($10) from MOMA with a wonderfully quirky mid-century hostess vibe. Or perhaps a pair of authentic aviator sunglasses with SkyTec lenses ($248) from the Smithsonian. Moon Chalk ($34). A Chris Ofili tea towel ($36). A campfire harmonica ($13.30) from the Galt Museum. Coffee-and-beignet socks ($22.50). A secret-capsule necklace ($128) from the International Spy Museum. Egg-shaped maracas ($18) from the New Museum. A striking Judy Chicago “goddess figure” candle ($100) from the de Young, so aesthetically pleasing you might hesitate to light it. Or a limited-edition Met x Harlem Candle Co. candle ($65), inspired by Seneca Village, which you will absolutely want to burn to fill your space with the captivating scent of wild thyme and cedar. A quilt-inspired vinyl kitchen mat ($42) from the American Folk Art Museum. Mint-julep-scented soap ($6.50) from the Kentucky Derby Museum. A make-your-own beaded beast ($18). And finally, a yodeling pickle toy ($13.95) from the National Mustard Museum in Wisconsin, which includes a disclaimer: “The yodel lasts a full 11 seconds. For those lacking a sense of humor, it will feel like an eternity. For those with a classical music background, it will seem even longer.”
Alt text: Quirky bird-shaped toothpick holder, a fun and unexpected gift from a museum shop.
Long Live the Novelty T-Shirt
T-shirts are acceptable—in fact, they can be fantastic gifts—but they must be either visually striking or hilariously absurd. Some winning examples: minimalist cow-skull scribbles ($24) from the O’Keeffe Museum. A T. rex riding the B train ($24.99) from the American Museum of Natural History. A trippy, limited-edition Ambar Del Moral tee ($35) from the National Museum of Women in the Arts, in a faded Grey Poupon hue. Speaking of condiments, humor in shirts doesn’t get much more dad-joke level than the Mustard Museum’s “Squeeze the Day, Carpe Dijon” ($20). A “Rock Em Rats” shirt ($28) from Meow Wolf, possessing just the right amount of stoner-chic. One reminiscent of a Virgil Abloh sight gag ($34.95) from PAMM in Miami, deconstructing the shirt itself as a desirable object. This N.Y.C. schmatte ($24.95) from the Museum of the City of New York, might be the only Big Apple tee retaining a hint of coolness. A Tammy Wynette muscle tank ($60) from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. A cheeky, candy-pink reminder from comic-book artist Nicole Hollander that “Lust Makes You Stupid” ($32). Perhaps less about the explicit nature of “Lustful Traditional Massage Parlor Guide” and more about playful self-awareness, this shirt adds a touch of humor. A whimsical Charlie Hustle x Nelson-Atkins tee collab ($32). A New Bedford Whaling Museum shirt ($15) with a groan-worthy nautical pun. A banana-yellow Velvet Underground band tee ($25) from the Andy Warhol Museum. A cherry-red kid’s “Design Critic” tee ($20) for the tiny Ada Louise Huxtable in your life. A celebration of the stinkiest flower ($18.95) from the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, and of pink orchids ($18) from the N.Y.B.G. And for Nederlandophiles, a neon-blue shirt emblazoned with the quote “Life is like a croquette” ($33.93) from Paul Verhoeven’s 1980 film, “Spetters,” from the Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam; as the museum itself acknowledges, “you can’t get more Dutch than this.”
Alt text: Humorous pink t-shirt with the phrase “Lust Makes You Stupid”, a funny and quirky gift from a museum shop.
Blanket Bingo
Is a library a museum? While you contemplate that, behold this cult-favorite blanket that resembles a giant library card ($115). Currently sold out for the year, it will return in February, just in time for peak snuggle season. For immediate cozy comfort, I’m captivated by this limited-edition Micaela Cianci throw ($135) created by the artist for the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Oh, Me? I’m Wearing the Louvre
You don’t need to be Prue Leith from “The Great British Bake Off” to appreciate a bold necklace (though hers are iconic), nor do you require an excuse to begin dressing as if you just splurged your entire paycheck at the Frick. For many of the most stylish individuals I know, museums are a preferred jeweler and a secret trove of boxy jackets and sophisticated attire. If I could fill my wardrobe with pieces from any single museum store, it would be the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, a paragon of thoughtful curation. Their online shop showcases exquisite items such as this orange shibori dress ($259.70) by designer Yadvi Agarwal, and this asymmetrical cotton top ($179.79). This cropped, quilted millefleur jacket ($219.75) appears as fresh as a daisy, while this hand-smocked blouse ($466.13) from British designer Hannah Cawley exudes pilgrim chic. The museum’s acrylic floral pins ($11.32 each) might rekindle your appreciation for brooches, and this oversized tea-party necklace ($93.23) is delightfully whimsical. This Rosalba Galati spike bracelet ($79.91) is not only striking but could serve as a stylish self-defense tool. These egg earrings ($33.29) are as ornate and charming as a Fabergé creation. There’s a spacey Bowie-homage pin ($46.61), a silk evening bag with tassels ($99.88) reminiscent of the Gilded Age, and a canvas book bag ($133.18) that seems to have stepped out of “Brideshead Revisited.” While you could easily exhaust your budget at the V&A, wearable treasures abound elsewhere: this sparkly lariat ($328.61) from the Louvre, inspired by a rose in a Rubens painting. A rhinestone microphone ($12.99) from the Grand Ole Opry. A set of pajamas in “routemaster moquette” plaid ($79.94) from the London Transport Museum. A brass, Herman Melville-inspired cuff bracelet ($75). The most charming terrazzo arch earrings ($143.95). This raspberry-flower dress ($70) from the Historic New Orleans Collection, based on an antique French Quarter design. A Dusen Dusen robe ($132) from MOMA, capturing the vibrant joy of Pop art. A statement necklace crafted from piano wire ($75) from the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. Edward Hopper “Railroad Sunset” pajamas ($190) from the Whitney. A traditional cherry-blossom yukata ($60) from Kyoto, via the Smithsonian. A throwback MA-1 jacket ($49.95) from the Museum of Flight. Chandelier earrings ($250) resembling creamsicle jellyfish from Cooper Hewitt, and blue chalcedony drops ($79) with an Undine Spragg aesthetic from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. An esoteric bucket hat ($25) from the Guggenheim. A jaunty beret ($20) from the Milwaukee Art Museum. A lacy white, Regency-era nightgown ($53.29) from the Jane Austen Centre. Bypass the abundance of Frida Kahlo-branded items and instead opt for these shuttlecock-esque tassel earrings ($60) from LACMA, inspired by a pair she herself wore. This brooch from a Flemish painting ($125) may or may not contain the spirit of a haunted heiress, while this pearl amulet ($40), inspired by an ancient mummy portrait at the Getty, is both beautiful and subtly eerie.
Alt text: Elegant long necklace with a rose pendant, inspired by art at the Louvre Museum, a sophisticated museum shop gift.
