10 Gift Ideas for Musician in Your Life

It’s that time of year again: that’s right, it’s officially the holiday season!

So, as we near this year’s holiday shopping bonanza, I thought I’d share a few gift ideas; specifically, if you have anyone in your life that’s musically inclined, I’ve got you covered. Whether it’s for an aspiring musician, or a musical veteran, you can’t go wrong catering to their musical talents. (*Hint-hint, mom.* Just kidding). Check these gift ideas for musician that you might want to consider!

1. A Guitar

What kid doesn’t want to learn to play the guitar? Or what adult, for that matter? It’s never too late! From electric to acoustic, there is a lot of brands to choose from, so don’t just jump right in; find the one that’s the right fit. No matter what age or who it is for, do your research (for instance, a Fender Strat may be good for a beginner, but a more experienced guitarist might prefer a Gibson or Les Paul, and Taylor’s are a popular acoustic brand). And remember, it doesn’t have to be a surprise—you could let them pick it out.

2. Small Guitar Accessories

Owning a guitar comes with a lot of little necessities, such as a strap, a capo, a cord, a tuner, or pics, and sometimes it’s inevitable that some of these items break or get misplaced; or, one may have a small collection of these items just in case (I personally have amassed a whole coin purse full of guitar pics). So, whether someone has a new guitar or has owned one for years, little items like these could make great stocking stuffers.

3. Other Guitar Accessories

Then, of course, there are the not-so-small accessories, such as cases, stands, pedals, and amplifiers. These are things you also might want to do your research on (or just pay attention when your best friend mentions how much he or she wishes they had a distortion pedal).

4. A Keyboard

Pianos are a great instrument to learn to play, especially if it’s your first instrument. But, not everyone has room for a piano, in which case, keyboards are your best friend. They range in size, price, and sound options, are easy to carry or move around, and have the ability to turn on or off. And, if you go with this, a book of sheet music might be a thoughtful addition.

5. Headphones

Don’t want to listen to your teenager’s randomly loud guitar-playing? Get them headphones for their guitar amp. Is your music-lover complaining about ear pain caused by earbuds, or about outside noise when they’re trying to listen to music? Get them some nice, comfy, noise-canceling headphones. Whether it’s for their iPod, cell phone, or amplifier, headphones are always a good option.

6. Recording Software

For the serious musician looking to pursue a career as an artist or producer, a recording software like ProTools or Garageband might be the way to go.

7. A Music Ornament

Music is big in my family, and it’s a tradition that we each get a new ornament every Christmas about something special from that year. Because of this, I have an instrument ornament for each instrument I have learned to play (an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar, a keyboard, a microphone, and a ukulele), and even some I have not learned to play (such as a cello).

So, if someone you know has recently learned a new instrument, or has been playing a certain instrument for years, an ornament of that instrument might be a good way to commemorate that achievement and those memories. And, if that person has a collection of musical ornaments (for instance, my dad is a drummer, so he has a collection of drum ornaments), you could help add to their collection!

8. Concert or Musical Tickets

All music-lovers have to have at least one favorite band, or a favorite musical. You can check tour schedules on the band websites year round, or line-ups for next year’s summer festivals to see when certain bands are playing. If you want to see a show, check out the website for your local theatre to see what Off-Broadway shows are coming to town; or, if you want to go hardcore, you could just go to New York City and see a show on Broadway.

9. Favorite Band T-shirt (or Other Merchandise)

If you go to the concert (or show), you might as well get the t-shirt, right? Even if you don’t go, any merch for their favorite band, musical, or general love of music is likely to bring a smile to their face. Things like t-shirts or sweatshirts, autographed photos, wristbands, hats, mugs, etc. can be found in various stores, as well as online. Even something as simple as another sticker for that guitar case could be a thoughtful gift.

10. Wireless or Portable Speaker

Speakers are another thing that come with a lot of options, including bluetooth wireless. Obviously, there are the big ones, but I’m talking about the small ones; like, smaller than an iHome. I’m talking about ones you can just leave around your house and play music from, or ones you can take with you on an adventure.

Hopefully I got your wheels turning, but if you need more ideas than these, or an expert resource, check out your local music store, like Guitar Center. Don’t be fooled by the name; they have everything from new to used—even lessons. Whether you’re looking for the big gift from Santa, or something more inexpensive, there are plenty of gift options for music-lover friends and family. And maybe after opening gifts, you can all gather round your new instrument and sing along to some carols!

Featured photo credit: Ryan McGuire via imcreator.com

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