The holidays are a time to celebrate beauty and tradition, so what better way to do so than decorating your tree with art-inspired keepsakes? Across museum stores nationwide, artists and craftspeople have transformed beloved paintings, sculptures, and seasonal displays into exquisite handmade ornaments. Each piece tells its own story, from Van Gogh’s swirling Irises to the sparkling brass poinsettia tree at The Breakers in Rhode Island.
This year’s guide highlights 12 handmade ornaments—from delicate glass and beadwork to whimsical crochet and pewter botanicals—that reflect the spirit of the season and the artistry of museum collections. Whether you’re collecting or gifting, these handmade ornaments offer a meaningful way to celebrate art and the joy of supporting cultural institutions through every purchase.
Miffy x Mondrian Ornament
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco, California
Celebrate modernism with these handmade ornaments featuring Miffy and her friend Melanie, dressed in designs inspired by Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. Hand-crocheted from 100% cotton, each ornament is woven in simple patterns of red, yellow, and blue: a nod to Mondrian’s iconic minimalist style. Available exclusively through SFMOMA, these charming characters bring a playful yet artful touch to any holiday tree.
Jamie Wyeth’s Homer Ornament
Brandywine Museum of Art
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
Inspired by Jamie Wyeth’s beloved 2003 painting Homer, this handmade ornament captures the artist’s faithful Jack Russell Terrier resting near his Maine island home. Crafted from resin and hand-painted with exquisite detail, it brings Wyeth’s charm and personality to life in miniature form. Developed in collaboration with the artist, this Brandywine Museum of Art exclusive arrives beautifully boxed, ready to gift or treasure for years to come.
3D Poinsettia Tree Ornament
Newport Mansions
Newport, Rhode Island
Celebrate the grandeur of Christmas at The Breakers with this exquisite ornament, inspired by the mansion’s iconic 15-foot poinsettia tree that dazzles visitors each season. Expertly crafted from lacquered brass, the three-dimensional design features intricate red, green, and gold details, topped with a pineapple motif hanger: a timeless symbol of hospitality. Each ornament arrives in a luxurious gift box, wrapped in deep green with gold foil stamping. This handmade ornament beautifully captures the elegance and festive spirit of the Gilded Age.
Holly & Jade Berries Pewter Ornament
de Young Museum
San Francisco, California
Add a touch of natural elegance to your holiday décor with this handmade ornament by designer Michael Michaud. Cast in pewter and plated with bronze, it features delicately sculpted holly leaves adorned with vivid red jade berries: a timeless symbol of joy and renewal. Inspired by the botanical motifs found throughout artworks in the de Young’s collection, as well as the living plants that flourish in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and Lincoln Park, this ornament is a luminous keepsake that celebrates the season’s enduring beauty.
TMA Limited Edition “Tree Peony” Ornament
Toledo Museum of Art
Toledo, Ohio
Bask in the artistry of glass and the beauty of impermanence with this handmade ornament by Ohio-born, internationally acclaimed artist Bandhu Dunham. Inspired by Rachel Ruysch’s Flower Still Life (c. 1726) and the pioneering 1962 Studio Glass Movement that began in Toledo, this exquisite glass ornament evokes the fleeting vibrancy of a peony just past its prime. Dunham combines green and brown tones with swirling red variegations, sculpted through meticulous lampworking techniques that make each piece entirely unique. A true work of art, this limited-edition ornament honors the Toledo Museum of Art’s legacy of innovation and craftsmanship in glass.
Irises Hand-Painted Glass Ornament
J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, California
This exquisite hand-painted glass ornament captures the luminous beauty of Vincent van Gogh’s Irises (1889), one of the J. Paul Getty Museum’s most celebrated paintings. The design reflects Van Gogh’s deep connection to nature and the emotional intensity that defines his work, from the vivid blues and greens to the rhythmic movement of each petal.
Kristi Yamaguchi Hero Ornament
Japanese American National Museum
Los Angeles, California
Celebrate an icon of grace and excellence with this handmade ornament honoring Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. Crafted in collaboration with a women’s collective in Kyrgyzstan, this limited-edition piece depicts Yamaguchi in her 1992 Olympic attire, proudly wearing her gold medal. Beyond her skating achievements, Yamaguchi is a children’s book author and founder of the Always Dream Foundation, championing early childhood literacy. This collectible hails from a series celebrating Asian American heroes who continue to inspire generations.
Winter Landscape Smith Collector Ornament
Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit, Michigan
Bring a touch of timeless tranquility to your tree with this handmade ornament inspired by Mortimer L. Smith’s Winter Landscape (1878). Hand-painted on glass, it captures the quiet beauty of snow-covered trees, rolling hills, and deer gathered by the water. Created exclusively for the Detroit Institute of Arts Shop’s 10th Annual Collector’s Ornament series, this limited-edition keepsake celebrates art and the peaceful spirit of the season.
Vintage Fishing Creel Ornament
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Cast your line for something truly special with this handmade ornament inspired by the upcoming exhibition Of Light and Air: Winslow Homer in Watercolor. Designed to resemble a vintage wicker creel, it’s brimming with fishing gear and freshly caught treasures. Nostalgic and witty, it’s a playful nod to Homer’s love of the outdoors and his masterful depictions of coastal life.
The MiG-21 Project Beaded Christmas Ornament
The Museum of Flight
Seattle, Washington
Add a touch of contemporary African artistry to your tree with this handmade ornament inspired by The MiG-21 Project, the final installment in South African artist Ralph Ziman’s acclaimed Weapons of Mass Production trilogy. Created by Thenjiwe Pretty Chinedo (the same artist who helped bead Ziman’s monumental Cold War-era fighter jet), each ornament is adorned with shimmering glass beads identical to those used in the full-scale artwork. Available in gold or silver, this keepsake celebrates craftsmanship and the transformative power of art.
Chrysler Snowperson Ornament
Chrysler Museum of Art
Norfolk, Virginia
Handcrafted by artist Kelsey Finnie at the Perry Glass Studio, this delightful handmade ornament captures the whimsy of the holidays. The blown-glass snowperson wears a bright green ribbon scarf and bears the gold inscription “Chrysler Museum of Art,” a nod to the institution’s celebrated glass collection. With limited quantities available, this annual collectible will bring cheer to your holiday traditions.
Old Sturbridge Village Ornament: Vermont Covered Wish Bridge
Old Sturbridge Village
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Bring a touch of New England charm to your holiday tree with this handmade ornament inspired by Old Sturbridge Village’s beloved Covered Wish Bridge. Hand-painted in the USA, it depicts the bridge aglow with festive lights and lined with Christmas trees, nodding to the Village’s annual Christmas by Candlelight tradition, when visitors leave handwritten wishes upon its wooden beams. Crafted with care and suspended from a rustic rope hanger, this collectible captures the warmth and hope that define the season.
Looking for More Handcrafted Ornaments?
Museum stores offer a world of creativity and connection, perfect for celebrating the season in meaningful ways. From glass and pewter to beadwork and crochet, each ornament is a small work of art that carries the spirit of its museum home. As you deck the halls or find the perfect gift, these handmade treasures remind us that supporting museum stores helps art and culture flourish all year long.
Remember, when you shop at a museum store, you’re directly supporting local artisans, small businesses, and the museum itself with every purchase. Use our store locator to find even more gift ideas and activities near you. You can also check out our official Museum Store Sunday 2025 Holiday Gift Guide.
Most importantly, don’t forget to mark your calendar for Museum Store Sunday on November 30, 2025, to access discounts, events and purpose-driven experiences at 2,200+ museum stores around the globe. Join our mailing list for exclusive updates and insider access to our biggest shopping event of the year.