A Gift-Giving List for the Musicians in Your Life
Shopping for musicians is tricky. They’ll swear they “don’t need anything,” and then spend the next week complaining about a cable that crackles or a tuner that died three months ago. If you’ve got a musician on your holiday list, here are some gifts that will actually land.
Fresh strings.
They’ll act like they change them “all the time,” but we both know they don’t. A fresh set feels like a mini spa day for a guitar or bass.
A Tuner that doesn’t have trust issues.
There’s always one person who insists their ear is good enough. It isn’t. Save them. Save all of us.
A mountain of picks.
Guitarists lose picks at a rate that defies science. They vanish into pockets, couches, and alternate dimensions. A bulk pack is never wrong.
Drumsticks that won’t be broken in twenty minutes.
Drummers treat sticks the way toddlers treat crayons. They’re lucky to last a full rehearsal. Give them a bundle and watch their eyes light up.
A sturdy music stand.
Every musician has a stand that leans like it’s surviving a natural disaster. A solid one is an act of mercy.
A good cable.
You’d think cables would be simple. They’re not. One bad cable can ruin a rehearsal and a mood. A high-quality one is a small miracle.
A comfortable strap.
If they play long shows, a soft strap is the difference between “I love music” and “Why does my shoulder feel like it’s 90 years old?”
A real gig bag.
Some musicians still carry their instruments around in a case held together by hope and tape. A padded bag is a huge upgrade.
A notebook for lyric or riff ideas.
Musicians get ideas at the worst possible times. Help them write things down before they forget the best riff they’ll ever play.
Snacks. Always snacks.
Long rehearsals are powered by sugar, salt, and questionable decisions. A snack stash is never ignored.
A gift card to the local music shop.
When all else fails, let them pick out the weird little thing they’ve been eyeing. It might be a pedal. It might be a kazoo. Don’t ask questions.
If you give anything from this list, that musician will appreciate it more than another pair of socks. And if you’re the musician… go ahead and treat yourself. No judgement.
Make it stand out
