Museum Store Sunday

This Sunday, November 25, is Museum Store Sunday. It’s the one day of year you can join others in supporting your favorite museums in a dedicated shopping spree. What exactly does that mean? Here’s how the Museum Store Association explains it:

On Sunday, November 25, 2018, over 900 Museum Stores representing all fifty states, twelve countries, and four continents will offer relaxing, inspired shopping inside your favorite museums and cultural institutions.

The website goes on to say, "Museum Store Sunday offers a special shopping experience in one-of-a kind stores, showcasing broad assortments of highly curated, unique, mission-specific gifts. From books to jewelry to children’s products to home accessories and gourmet food, there is something for everyone. Shop knowing you are supporting the missions and programs of each participating museum and cultural institution."

To me, museum gift shops will always be associated with Christmas ornaments, stacks of coffee-table books, and completely necessary novelty socks. However, especially in the West, they also carry a top-quality range of home goods worthy of gifting the holiday hostess, avid art collector, or kid at heart on your list.

Here’s our list of picks from just a few of the museums we love. But don't forget to shop in-person at the museums in your area!

Bar & Kitchen

Autry Museum of the American West, Pendleton stainless steel tumbler | CFD Old West Museum, copper wine stopper | Museum of International Folk Art, Burro salt and pepper set by Gorky Gonzalez | National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, cactus bottle opener | National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, salad serving set | National Museum of Wildlife Art, Decoboards bison cutting board

Books & Music

Autry Museum of the American West, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on vinyl | Autry Museum of the American West, patriotic sheet music set | C.M. Russell Museum, Indian Country: The Art of David Bradley | National Museum of Wildlife Art, Wildlife in American Art | National Museum of the American Indian, Native Fashion Now: North American Indian Style | National Museum of the American Indian, Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family

Collectibles

Heard Museum, black wedding vase by Harrison Begay (Navajo) | Wheelwright Museum, flag basket by Alicia Nelson | Heard Museum, Butterfly Maiden kachina doll by Derrick Hayah (Hopi) | Wheelwright Museum, “Parrot with Rainbow Band” mini Acoma water jar by Delores Juanico

Décor

Autry Museum of the American West, Navajo wedding basket by Fannie King | CFD Old West Museum, bear melange sherpa blanket | Heard Museum, Sterling silver candle snuffer by Wesley Whitman (Navajo) | Museum of International Folk Art, Jason Younis y Delgado colonial tin candle holder | Museum of International Folk Art, Nativity arpillera | National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, mini Raku dreamcatcher jars | National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma synthetic grass doormat | National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, golden horseshoe wall hanging | National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, copper bowl | National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, stamped silver concho mirror with turquoise

Kids

Autry Museum of the American West, Roy Toy log building set | C.M. Russell Museum, Build Your Own Charles M. Russell log cabin studio | Denver Art Museum, Rodeo-Pickup Man puzzle

Office

C.M. Russell Museum, C.M. Russell bronze book ends | National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, porcelain horseshoe stamp | CFD Old West Museum, 3D medium brown valet tray

For more gift ideas, don't forget to visit the C&I Shop and peruse our Holiday Gift Guide!

PHOTOGRAPHY: The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum (cover image) and The Albuquerque Museum (full-width middle image) courtesy Museum Store Sunday