A brother or sister is the person you have known longest. You should be able to choose them a present without effort. In practice it is hard. You have given each other things for twenty or thirty years, the obvious ideas are used up, and a dull present from a sibling stings a little, because they know you know them better than that.
That is also your advantage. You know things about them that nobody else does. A good sibling gift uses that.
Use what you know
- What they loved as a child. The animal they were obsessed with. The game you played together for a whole summer. The film they watched until the tape wore out.
- The jokes only the two of you get.
- The place you grew up.
- What their room looked like at fifteen, and what they would never admit they still like.
- What they are into now that they wouldn't buy for themselves.
A present that says "I remember" is worth more between siblings than one that cost a lot.
By personality
The gamer
If you grew up fighting over a controller, a desk mat is the present. It is used every day, and a good one changes the look of a whole setup. Cyberpunk streets, retro grids and space all suit. See the desk mat size guide and the console gaming corner.
The space obsessive
The one who had glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling. Light Nebula, Black Hole, or Astronaut in the Clouds. See gifts for a sci-fi reader.
The animal lover
Match the animal to the person. Siblings can get away with this.
- A fox for the clever, mischievous one. Blue Fox in Space.
- An owl for the wise or the nocturnal one. Frost Owl.
- A wolf for the loyal one. Wolf Pack, two wolves side by side, is a natural picture of siblings.
- A lion for the eldest, or the one who thinks they are in charge. CRT Lion Retro Wave.
- A cat for the cat person. Laser Cat.
- A crow for the clever, dark-humoured one. Blue Crow.
The one with the dark taste
Skulls, crows and angels, for the sibling who went through a black-clothes phase and never quite left. See skull art that isn't morbid.
The creative one
Something graphic for a studio wall. Stone Angel Vaporwave or Trippy Holographic.
The stressed one
Something calm. Blue Mountain Fog, or a soft abstract.
The one who has just moved
Bare walls and no money left. A canvas or a tapestry is the most useful thing you can send. See housewarming gifts and first apartment wall art.
The dragon or the koi
For a sibling working hard towards something, a koi, the fish that swims upstream. For one who has just got there, a dragon. See koi and dragon symbolism.
The joke gift that is also a real gift
Siblings tease. A present with a joke in it is in the right spirit, as long as it is also something they will keep. Laser Cat is the obvious candidate: a solemn fluffy cat firing beams from its eyes. It is funny, and it is a good-looking picture in soft mint green. Give the pin for a small joke, or the canvas for a large one.
Matching gifts
For siblings who are close, two of something works well: the same pin or keychain for each of you, or matching t-shirts. It suits brothers and sisters who live far apart. See wear the art: matching a tee, pin and keychain.
By age
- A younger sibling at school: posters, pins, a keychain for a school bag. See birthday gifts for a teenager.
- At college: a tapestry and a desk mat. See gifts for a college student.
- In a first flat: a canvas for the main wall.
- Settled, with a home: a framed print for an office or a hallway, or a piece for a new baby's room.
By budget
Approximate prices at the time of writing.
- Under $10: a pin.
- About $15: a keychain or a small poster.
- $20 to $40: a desk mat, a t-shirt or a larger poster.
- $30 to $90: a tapestry.
- $45 and up: a canvas.
- $85 and up: a framed poster.
See gifts under $20 and holiday art gifts by budget.
If you are several siblings buying together
Pool the money for one larger piece: a big canvas for a milestone birthday, a wedding or a new home. It is better than three small things, and nobody has to out-give anyone.
If you live far apart
We ship straight to the person, so you can order from anywhere. Check their address with them or with a parent, including the flat number. An address can't be changed once an order has shipped. A tapestry, a poster or a desk mat travels well.
You can't add a handwritten card to a parcel that comes direct from our print partners. Send a message or a card separately, timed to arrive with it.
What to avoid
- Clothing in a guessed size. Made-to-order clothing can't be exchanged, but you can return it within 30 days of delivery (you pay the return shipping). Ask, or check with someone who knows.
- A joke that is only a joke.
- Your taste, not theirs. You know the difference better than anyone.
- Something huge for a sibling in a small flat.
Timing
Everything is made to order: 2 to 7 business days for production and 3 to 7 for US delivery. Order about three weeks before a birthday. For December, see holiday order deadlines. If you have left it late, as siblings do, see missed the gift deadline: what to do.
Browse the canvas art, desk mats and pins collections.