20 Met Gala-Inspired Gift Ideas

Your stylish buddy probably can’t spend $30,000–$50,000 for a ticket to the Gala, not to mention hundreds of thousands on a dress, shoes, and jewelry, but this book, which sits on my very own coffee table, is perfect for the fashion dreamer.

Any cat lovers are also sure to be fans of Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld’s blue-eyed kitty, who not only has her own nanny and chef, but hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.

Children are born artists, and this sticker book is a fun way to introduce them to the museum. Please touch!

This book, formally known as “the exhibition catalogue,” but more correctly a perfect coffee table book, will inspire you to get yourself and your partner or best friend to the Met. Even a few hours with the designs of Karl Lagerfeld will be proof that his work was worthy of celebration.

The First Monday in May is a behind-the-scenes documentary of all the planning that went into the 2015 Costume Institute exhibit, China: Through the Looking Glass. Gift this to a friend who is under the weather (or yourself on a day off).

Let’s face it — sometimes it’s hard to figure out what to give the favorite coworker you only see on onsite workdays. This classy notepad and magnet set will say “Welcome back to the office!”

Perhaps the most difficult person to shop for, your second mom will appreciate this truly lovely vase for all the flowers we're sure she cuts from her lush garden.

This scarf, colored like a Byzantine mosaic, is patterned very similarly to Lagerfeld’s Paint Box dress that Anna Wintour wore in 2014.

Serenity Now! Coloring books are relaxing — and when your yoga teacher uses a Met coloring book, her creations are art, automatically suitable for framing!

One of the most wonderful aspects of the Met Gift shop is its collection of reproductions, including this copy of a Canova sculpture that resides in the museum's Roman wing. If you're redecorating, this is a gift to give yourself.

My first experience connecting history to fashion was seeing the First Ladies inaugural dresses at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. That exhibit and all the Met shows prove that history comes alive in fashion.

The best gifts for kids are something you can do together. This pottery kit can help you both get your hands dirty and nurture their creative side.

Elevate the gift of jewelry by picking a design that reflects jewelry shown in the museum. This lapis pair is inspired by a 6th century Cypriot piece.

This is the gift I would buy for a neighbor whom I don’t know well, but with whom I’d like to become friends. It’s the type of thing no one buys for themselves, but everyone covets.

If you haven’t read this terrific book about two kids who run away and end up living at The Met, then buy one copy for your niece or nephew, and buy another copy for yourself. It’s every New York City kid’s fantasy.

This memoir, written by a former guard at The Met, perfectly captures the sense of peace and calm many of us feel in the museum. Not gossipy, but insidery, Bringley mentions specific art works, giving his readers a sense of which paintings and sculptures we shouldn't miss.

A typical haute couture dress costs more money than most of us earn in a few months. Perfume is an indulgent way to capture that elegant feeling without your credit card company being forced to decline your purchase.

Karl famously brought Chanel into the late 20th century, and these paper dolls, are perfect for a young child. Paper dolls, you may be surprised to learn, are one of the reasons we know how people dressed throughout history before there were cameras. They have been around since the early 18th century.

Help a favorite relative cut down on their screen time with this adult activity book. The projects are easy and stimulate creativity.

If you’re ready to treat your mom or aunt to a truly lovely gift, this is the present to buy. Always in fashion, a book tote is the newest silhouette for shoppers in all countries.