The MFA Shop

This small gift shop located in the Audrey Jones Beck Building is well-​stocked, particularly in books. It’s also a great place to get creative gifts for the holidays! Definitely worth checking out next time you’re in the museum or need something special and unique for a gift! (Not cheap, but they do have some items discounted. Members also get a discount in the gift shop!)

Nifty place to find unique jewelry and other accessories that will sure to make your day. I was able to find a great deal on some art bags, and I just recall telling myself I would have to come back for more goodies. Prices are a bit on the pricey side, but it is all well worth the fun.

Birthdays, holidays, showers, weddings — if you want to find a unique-​ish, thoughtful gift, check out the MFAH gift shop.
What you’ll find:
: Books — and not just on art.
: Jewelry — some of the selection is local, but you’ll find an array of items at different price points. Affordable to a little more extravagant. Anyone wanna buy me a necklace I saw for $ 500?
: House-​ware: wine decanters, salt shakers, clocks, tea sets
: Clothing: Scarves, hair dohickies, cufflinks, wallets
: Posters, archival prints, games
MFAH members receive discounts.

I am a museum fanatic, and this shop was decent, a place you can find little trinkets and other gifts you can get for folks you love. I go every time I visit MFAH.

Love museum gift shops. They are the best place to find cute and quirky gifts. I find great stuff in MFAH’s gift shop every time.
They have a great selection of fine art books, much nicer printings than I have ever found in a typical bookstore. I’m alway impressed with their jewelry selection. It is all very unique and interesting styles while being pretty affordable.
This last trip I found a peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich coin purse for my sister. Amazing, only about $ 10. She LOVED it, by the way. We also got an interesting Children’s book. If you’re looking for a children’s book, this is definitely a great resource since everything they offer is interesting or different. Especially if you don’t have children and you don’t really know what you are looking for, you won’t be overwhelmed like you would be if you hit Barnes & Noble.
If you are coming to just the shop, you don’t need to buy tickets for the museum.

They have a pretty nice book selection but the staff isn’t helpful. I asked if they had any good brazilian contemporary art books and she was like «they would be right here in this section.» As she pointed-​she walked away. I was like «you don’t know your book selection?» She should have had someone help me that does. Also, when I looked at where she pointed-​guess what I saw? Books about Mexican artwork. I wondered if she knew where Brazil is.
Sad when your bookstore staff do not know the books you have-​go to Domy books or the Menil bookstore-​they are ALWAYS helpful and know what they have on the shelves.

Quintessential gift shop. If you have exhausted all avenues of «what to get X every year for their birthday,» and just want to make it easy on yourself, come here. Even if you don’t find a fitting tribute to their first day on this planet, you will enjoy the shopping experience. Isn’t that all you really seek when having to wade through your brain, growing weary searching for the perfect gift idea, lamenting spending your hard-​earned money on another.
Pick a subject that may or may not interest them, get pointed in the right direction, and pick a related book, or another one that your wandering eye may focus on instead. For as varied as the museum’s art subjects are, you’ll find equal variation in the books in this giant-​windowed shop. If X is child-​aged, you will be in bibliophile heaven.
If books are already in heavy rotation, and you just got them a book last year, head to the poster section. If they are (or you) are already masquerading as avant garde cools and already have enough exhibit posters strategically placed around their (or your) abode and office, perhaps head to the jewelry sections. Or the paper section (yes, people still send cards and letters, but who ever wants to wast time purchasing their own sets). Or the themed exhibit areas at the front of the store. The list is infinite, please don’t let me bore you.
The point is, if my birthday, half-​birthday, unbirthday, or random holiday is on the horizon, go here to find my gift. Speaking of which, National Tap Dance Day is just around the corner (May 25^th).