On the run up to Christmas, it can be all too easy to default to the usual high street shops or online retailers when shopping for gifts.
So, before you blow a small fortune in a department store on generic tat, what about a piece of art? Not only is it a great way to support local talent, several of this month's art exhibitions are helping raise money for good causes, too.
Here are a few to explore this December:
Ivory Towers
Julian Quaye, Northern Lights
Ivory Towers is a powerful exhibition showcasing the artworks of three unique and contemporary artists: Julian Quaye, Diff (Patrick Tutton) and Neil Thomas Roberts,
The theme of this exhibition is wildlife, but not in a traditional sense. These pieces will showcase wildlife crimes, trafficking of wildlife, poaching, and the awareness of protecting our world's wildlife from extinction.
A percentage of the sales of the artwork will be donated to IAPF (International Anti Poaching Foundation) to help fight crime against wildlife worldwide and help protect elephants and Rhinos from extinction.
Ivory Towers. December 1-7, PAPER Arts, 51-53 Merchant Street, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3EE
Control Room
Janine Partington
This exhibition showcases of the intricate work of the Bristol artist Janine Partington. Her delicate scalpel cut line drawings explore the transparent, transitory and the handmade, to create beautiful natural scenes. The artwork will also be displayed in a unique location: inside the control room on the Redcliffe Bridge.
Control Room. December 3-7. Redcliffe Bridge Control Room, Redcliffe Way, Bristol
The Edwardian Cloakroom: A Collaboration
Carly Etherington
A collaboration from two artists, who'll be exhibiting their work in the Edwardian Cloakroom, nestled at the bottom of Woodland Road, Clifton.
Artist Carly Etherington celebrates the cats in Bristol and their many differences, while Charlotte Miller invites us on a journey into the unknown, exploring natural landscapes through her photography and installations.
Edwardian Cloakroom. December 8-15, 10am-6pm. Woodland Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS1 5LS
At Last We Fly – Step 2
Oliver Specio & Michael Hayter
The two artists from this exhibition – Oliver Specio from Bordeaux Michael Hayter from Bristol – had not met before starting of this project. They meet twice during a residency in each city, to create work with each other over a few days.
Each artist is a painter of the unknown and will be hosting an exhibition with talks and workshops. They work with dreams and impulsives, the animal and human – translating them into figurative paintings.
The activities will take you through the process of making these paintings, with the workshops aimed at novices and people looking for other ways of working or a greater visual understanding. Find out more details on the workshops here.
At Last We Fly – Step 2. December 1-13. The Island, First Floor, Bridewell Street, BS1 2LE
Bristol Art for Nepal
Andy Council
This event is a fundraising night for First Chance Nepal, a charity that aims to raise money for Nepalese people with disabilities. Artworks have been donated by some of Bristol's finest artists, with a huge range on offer during an auction on December 12.
There'll be something for everyone, including paintings, street art, photography and line drawings from the likes of Andy Council, Cheo, Nikill, Will Barras and many more.
Bristol Art for Nepal. December 12, 6-11pm. The Arts House, 108a Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3RU
The Bedminster Elves
Bedminster Elves
Like the Shaun the Sheep trail from earlier in the year, but with a festive twist. So, come and visit 'Elfminster' and search for 100 hand painted wooden elves hidden around Bedminster and Southville.
There will be four elf made properties to visit as part of the trail: the Elf and Safety office, Elf Hotel, Santa's Mailroom and the Elf Workshop. Each of which will be an interactive experience, with Santa's mailroom offering kids the opportunity to post their letter to Father Christmas himself.
The elves have been painted by local school children, as well as local artists including Angus and John Doh, with festive murals by Cheo.
Bedminster Elves. Art Trail. November 28-December 31. Throughout Bedminster and Southville, Bristol
Merry Christmess and a Hippy New Year
Gary Iles
It's that time of year again where the It's All 2 Much Gallery invites a host of Bristol artists for their Christmas group show.
For 2015 there is a loose theme, titled 'Merry Christmess and a Hippy New Year' – so expect the unexpected. Many local artists are taking part, including 3Dom, Giles Barwick, Giles Iles, Fuller, Dave Bennett, Emma Caton, Everly Dark, Cristina Diniz, Alan Ducan, Lee Ellis, Will Hall, Georgia Harris, Keith, and many more.
Many of the works on show will be original, but there will also be a wide selection of limited edition and open-ended edition prints available.
Merry Christmess and a Hippy New Year, December 5-January 31, 2016. It's All 2 Much Gallery, 124 Cheltenham Road, Bristol, BS6 5RW
Don't forget to shop local at one of Bristol's many Christmas markets.