Credit crunch, financial meltdown, stock slump - whatever you want to call it, it means that this is going to be a careful Christmas. Splashing the cash looks less and less appealing. What we need are gifts that can sustain us for the coming year of misery and keep our minds off the dwindling value of our pensions. So what about a constant drip-feed of culture throughout the year? Membership to an institution such as the Tate or the National Theatre is a great gift for someone who loves the arts. Or you could enrol them on a carefully chosen course, such as the Contemporary Collecting course at the Whitechapel Gallery. Consult the websites below for inspiration and give a gift that keeps on giving this Christmas.

BFI

Get a free DVD as a special Christmas offer with the usual benefits of priority booking, special offers and discounts. BFI, Southbank, London SE1 (www.bfi.org.uk), £35, concs £20

BRITISH MUSEUM

Free entry to all exhibitions, British Museum magazine, What's On guide, four after- hours open evenings per year, access to the members' room and a 10 per cent discount in the BM shops and cafés. British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1 (www.britishmuseum.org), from £45

ICA

Priority booking, private views, free screenings, discounted ticket prices and 10 per cent off in the café and bookshop, plus exclusive entry to the late-night bar and café. ICA, The Mall, London SW1 (www.ica.org.uk/membership), £35

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Unlimited free entry to all exhibitions, afternoon previews, events including “meet the artist” evenings, lectures and tours, discounts on tickets and in the Portrait Restaurant, the Portrait Café and gallery shops. National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London WC2 (www.npg.org.uk), from £30

NATIONAL THEATRE

Advance booking, invitations to special events, selected discounts and The Update magazine. National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 (www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/supporters), from £65

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Quarterly magazines for adults and children, member events, free admission to exhibitions, ten free guest tickets, discounts in the shops and restaurants, members' room and behind-the-scenes tours. Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 (www.nhm.ac.uk), from £50, concs from £30

ROYAL ACADEMY

Free entry to exhibitions for you, a guest and up to four children, previews, Friends Rooms, RA magazine and tours. Royal Academy, Piccadilly, London W1 (www.royalacademy.org.uk/friends), from £66, Young Friends £37

SCIENCE MUSEUM

Free entry to exhibitions and IMAX 3D Cinema, members' viewings and events. Science Museum, Exhibition Road, SW7 (www.sciencemuseum. org.uk), from £50

TATE

Free, unlimited entry to shows at the four Tates, use of the members' rooms, discounts and invitations to selected private views. Tate Modern/ Britain/Liverpool/St Ives (www.tate.org.uk/members), from £50

V&A

Unlimited free entry to all exhibitions, events programme, previews of new galleries and major shows, magazine and use of the members' room. V&A, Cromwell Road, London SW7 (www.vam.ac.uk/members), from £61

WHITECHAPEL GALLERY

Previews, free double entry to the annual paying exhibition, talks and late-night programmes, plus numerous discounts. Whitechapel Art Gallery, 80-82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 (www.whitechapel.org), £40, concs £20

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