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Cabin, cottage or houseboat? No matter where you’re headed this summer, shopAGO has the perfect artful gift to delight your host – and get you invited back.

Blockitecture Garden City, image by AGO

So, you snagged an invite to that perfect cottage getaway – wahoo! What do you bring to say thanks to the host? Whether you’re houseboating in Gananoque or glamping in a yurt, shopAGO has artful gifts that will guarantee you a return invite – no matter who’s hosting. Need some inspiration? Kierin McNeill, assistant manager of shopAGO, has chosen her top picks for summer gift ideas.

For the host with little ones:

You’ve come to have a quiet, relaxing getaway, but they have kids. Solution: Blockitecture Garden City (pictured above) — a stylish low-fi and ecologically-minded set of architectural building blocks crafted from New Zealand pine. Recommended for ages six and up, these are sure to occupy busy hands and minds.

For the “stay out of my kitchen” host:

 

 

Eagle and Orca Platter, image by AGO.
Eagle and Orca Platter. Image by AGO.

For that foodie host, Kierin suggests the beautifully handcrafted Eagle and Orca Platter, by artist Corrine Hunt. Depicting the whirlpool effect of air meeting water (eagle and orca… get it?), this recycled glass platter is perfect for serving up leafy summer salads or your host’s favourite things from the grill.

For the host you’ve never met:

Yayoi Kusama socks, image by AGO.
Yayoi Kusama socks. Image by AGO.

Last-minute invite to tag along to the lake house? It can be hard to find the perfect gift for a new friend. Why not socks? Better yet, why not Yayoi Kusama socks with her characteristic polka dots motif? Available in red and white, these fun-loving ankle socks are sure to get any host dreaming of infinity.

For the super cool host:

Brian Jungen Friendship Centre exhibition catalogue, image by AGO
Brian Jungen Friendship Centre exhibition catalogue. Image by AGO

Bridging Indigenous knowledge and pop culture, Brian Jungen is a homegrown international art star whose solo exhibition includes Indigenous-inspired masks crafted from Nike Air Jordans and a towering whale skeleton made of patio chairs. For the host who’s way cooler than you, Kierin suggests a catalogue from this summer’s coolest contemporary art exhibition, Brian Jungen Friendship Centre, and bring these larger-than-life works to the comfort of your chic host’s home.

For the host who has everything:

AGO Image
Image by AGO.

For that person who has everything, Kierin suggests an AGO Membership. They’re sure to love the 10% discounts at shopAGO, caféAGO, Espresso Bar in Galleria Italia, AGO Bistro — and additional seasonal offers exclusively for AGO Members. Want in? You, too, can join today.

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