In this guide
When should you order art for Christmas in Australia? We recommend ordering custom portraits in October, hand-painted paintings by about 10 November and canvas prints by late November. A gift card can be bought any time, even on Christmas morning. Below is the full order-by timeline, why each date sits where it does, and what to do if you've left it late.
Why does Christmas art need a head start?
Every painting is 100% hand-painted in oils on canvas by a professional, university-trained artist, and every print is made to order. Nothing is sitting on a shelf waiting to be posted. That's what makes a painting such a good present, and it's also why the calendar matters.
Here are the usual times:
- Hand-painted paintings and portraits: 21 to 28 days to paint and dispatch, then 3 to 7 business days in transit.
- Canvas prints: 10 to 14 days, then 3 to 7 business days in transit.
- Gift cards: emailed within minutes, or on the date you choose.
The lead-up to Christmas is the busiest time of year, and these times can run longer. Couriers are busy too. That's why the dates below include some breathing room rather than working to the last possible day.
When to order art for Christmas: the order-by timeline
Working backwards from 25 December, these are the dates we recommend. They are recommendations based on our usual lead times, not delivery guarantees, so earlier is always better.
| What you're giving | Made and dispatched in | Then in transit | We recommend ordering by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom portrait from a photo | 21 to 28 days, plus time for your approval | 3 to 7 business days | October |
| Hand-painted painting | 21 to 28 days | 3 to 7 business days | About 10 November |
| Canvas print | 10 to 14 days | 3 to 7 business days | Late November |
| Gift card | Within minutes | By email | Any time, even Christmas morning |
For full details, see our dispatch and delivery page. Delivery is free Australia-wide on every order.
Why do custom portraits need ordering first?
A custom portrait from your photo is painted by hand like any other painting, but you also approve it before it's dispatched. You pay a 20% deposit to start, we send progress photos as it develops, and you pay the balance only after you approve the finished painting. Adjustments are unlimited and free, and each round of changes takes time.
That's why the portrait page suggests allowing about 4 to 6 weeks from deposit to delivery, and why we recommend October for Christmas. Phone photos are usually fine, and if a photo won't paint well we'll tell you before we start.
Looking for portrait ideas? See our Christmas gift ideas for her (mum, wife, sister, grandmother) and Christmas gift ideas for him (dad, husband, brother, grandfather).
Which art gifts suit each deadline?
Order in October: portraits of people and pets
Families, couples, grandchildren and much-loved dogs and cats. Start with custom portraits or custom pet portraits.
Order by about 10 November: hand-painted paintings
Australian classics suit parents and grandparents who grew up knowing these pictures. Tom Roberts' Shearing the Rams, which hangs in the National Gallery of Victoria, comes in 60×50, 90×60, 100×75, 120×90, 150×100, 180×120 and 200×135 cm. For something seasonal, Roberts' Christmas Flowers and Christmas Belles is a portrait-shaped work, from 50×60 to 135×200 cm.
For a favourite artist, The Starry Night (1889) comes in the same landscape sizes as Shearing the Rams, and Klimt's The Kiss is square only, from 60×60 to 175×175 cm. Our reproductions carry no forged signature and are not artificially aged.
Order by late November: canvas prints
Prints are quicker to make, so they're the best option once the painting date has passed. Browse canvas prints, or Australian landmarks and cities for someone who loves a particular place.
Any time: gift cards
A Direct Art gift card can be any amount from $50 to $2,000. Add your message and schedule it to land in their inbox on Christmas morning. Gift cards never expire and can be spent on anything, including paintings, prints and custom portraits.
How do you give a painting that hasn't arrived yet?
Hand-painted work sometimes lands after the big day, especially if you order late. That's fine. It just needs a bit of presentation.
- Print a picture of it. Print the painting's image from its product page, or the photo you've chosen for a portrait, put it in a Christmas card and write "Coming soon to your wall".
- Print a progress photo. For a portrait, print one of the progress photos we send as it develops.
- Print the gift card. Have the gift card emailed to you instead of them, then print it and tuck it into a card.
- Wrap a clue. A single picture hook in a small box, with a note saying the rest is on its way, makes a fun reveal.
Questions people ask
When is the last day to order a painting for Christmas?
We recommend ordering hand-painted paintings by about 10 November. Paintings take 21 to 28 days, plus 3 to 7 business days in transit, and the Christmas period can run longer. After that, a canvas print or a gift card is the safer choice.
Can I send a gift directly to the person?
Yes. We deliver to any Australian address, so you can ship straight to them. If you want to wrap it yourself, send it to your own address instead.
Can I pay for a Christmas painting over time?
Yes. Afterpay and Zip are both available at checkout.
Can I schedule a gift card for Christmas Day?
Yes. On the gift card page, choose "Recipient's email", add their name and your message, and pick 25 December as the send date.
Related guides
- Christmas gift ideas for her: personalised portraits and art
- Christmas gift ideas for him: portraits and art he'll keep
Next step: Browse Christmas gifts for art lovers and get your hand-painted order in early.
