Art Design Gifts Only New Yorkers Would Love

As New Yorkers, we probably need a little more creative distraction from the everyday hustle than most. So with that in mind, we’ve selected a few gifts meant to amuse, provoke, and stimulate your New York sensibilities—just in time for the holidays.

Brighten up your commute with an adult coloring book from Broad City

Humor dispels most sorrows (emphasis on the most here). “New York” humor, like Broad City, reminds us we’re not alone in this rat race and that it’s also okay to be a little odd. Channel your inner Ilana or Abbi with this wild new coloring book for adults. It’s NSFK (not safe for kids, come on) and includes scenes from your favorite episodes, mad libs, and drawing prompts.

These won’t help you predict whether your rent is going up next year, but they will offer sage advice from the masters. Similar to the beauty of the Rider-Waite tarot deck, these artist designed artist cards will help you decide your next move in the creative realm. Whether you’re working on a short story, a new painting series, or want to know creative ways to deal with your recent breakup, the Art Oracles deck grants a little touch of artistic wisdom and direction in a city full of options.

Keep in touch with your Westchester friends (and stay creative) with these new architects’ activity postcards.

Archidoodle: Architects’ Activity Postcards, $3.57

While you’re submerged in the bustle of the Big Apple, don’t forget to keep in touch with friends and family out there in the “real” world. This pack of 20 postcards features images of futuristic cityscapes that will inspire you to create your own. It’s also a great gift for the little New Yorker in your life—you know, so they can keep in touch with Grandma while showing off their architecture skills.

Do all artists just steal or borrow their “originality” from others? Is there such a thing as an autonomous genius?

They say good artists borrow, but great artist steal. (Honestly though, who really said that? Was it Picasso? Someone with historical authority, please let us know.) Either way, this new book by Robert Shore explores exactly that—creative theft and borrowing in the digital age, including visual appropriation. It even cleverly “steals” its book cover design from Penguin, and comes complete with a little black disclaimer: “This is not a Penguin Book.” Nice.

We’re all a bunch of “know it alls” on this little urban isle, so why not put your art knowledge to the test?

Guess The Artist: The Art Quiz Game, $14.02

What better way to test your knowledge of the art world than by playing a little game of cards? This colorful, quirky deck called “Guess the Artist” beats Cards Against Humanity any day, and you can actually learn stuff while playing. A perfect gift for that friend who majored in art history (and who happens to know “everything”), children (never too early for them to know Frida or van Gogh through symbols), and pretty much anyone who loves art.

Want more art-centric gifts this holiday season? Check out 20 art gifts under $20 here.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.