'Tis The Season: The Gift-Giver's Guide to Shopping for a Music Lover
Sleigh bells ring… are you listening? December has begun, which means it’s officially festive season. For all those celebrating Christmas or other gift-giving holidays, crunch time has begun to find those perfect gifts for all your loved ones. No need to fret this year — I’ve researched for you. As a chronic early shopper, I’m basically done buying for everyone on my list, which has left me with abundant time on my hands to create an ultimate guide for you, Kinda Cool Magazine reader. If you’re here, I’m guessing you’re pretty passionate about music, and as a result, you’ve probably got some people in your life who are fairly fond of it too! I’ve taken the liberty of finding primarily small businesses you can support this season with music-related products, whether broad or niche. And hey, I’m not judging if, instead of giving you gift-giving inspiration, you decide to place some of these items on your own wish list. Without further ado, may my findings assist you in your holiday shopping!
For the record collector…
Vinyl is all anyone talks about these days, isn’t it? This physical media format has made a massive resurgence over the past few years. Now, some record collectors are quite particular about their preferred variants (guilty). Or you may know someone who has a really bad quality suitcase turntable and you want to save them from their inevitable fate. This segment will contain options for folks all over the spectrum, from extreme collectors to those just beginning.
Audio-Technica LP60XBT: According to the brand’s official website, the Audio-Technica LP60XBT is an entry-level turntable. However, an abundance of vinyl enthusiasts will recommend this model in a heartbeat. It’s far more affordable than many of its competitors, and the quality is phenomenal. Upgrading to this record player was such a game-changer in my physical media collection!
Edifier R1280DBs: If you plan to buy your loved one a high-quality record player, you’ll need to either buy them a set of speakers to go with it or direct them to some great ones. These Edifier R1280DBs bookshelf speakers can be plugged into the wall and then connected to your turntable via Bluetooth. Their high-quality output can also be controlled through an included remote, so you don’t even have to get up to adjust the volume!
Sonic Boom Record Cleaner Kit: So, your bestie already has a turntable they love. But maybe they’re not taking as good care of their collection as they could be. Well, Sonic Boom has them covered with an ultimate record cleaner package. Not only does this bundle include the basics like cleaning fluid and a brush for dust, but it also boasts fancy mechanisms like a spin cleaner.
LP Sleeves: Inner and outer sleeves are a must-have for anyone with expensive, rare items in their collection. Invest In Vinyl has some of the most superior protections out there, and in this combo pack, you can stock up your gift recipient with some protection in both sizes!
"Now Playing" Stand: No cute setup is complete without a “now playing” stand to place the currently spinning record on. It allows the collector to admire both the album’s cover artwork and the vinyl itself. This Etsy listing allows the customer to customize the color of their new wall piece from a dropdown menu and ships globally!
Barbie Box Set: Barbie was THE MOVIE of the year. And now, Vinyl Me, Please has brought us the box set of the year. Their epic Barbie box set includes bonuses like a flexi-disc, a driver’s license-shaped picture disc, a slipmat, and a Barbie newspaper.
For the avid concertgoer…
Ok, so, you’re buying for that one person who just can’t miss a single event. Any time someone relevant is in — or out — of town, they’re there. Whether you really have no clue what more they could need, or you want the hot concert or tour of 2024 to fall under their radar, I’ve taken the liberty to come up with some ideas for you.
Loop Earplugs: Your loved one just told you they’re going to shows, camping out, getting barricade, mosh pitting, but not wearing earplugs? That is a no-go, my friend. Protecting hearing is so important! Loop is one of the most innovative and fashionable earplug brands out there right now, and the Experience Plus model is designed specifically with live music settings in mind.
Clear Bag: More and more venues nowadays are adopting clear bag policies for the protection of everyone in the event. It makes the security process smoother and ensures no one is smuggling anything they shouldn’t be. Just because you can’t rock your cutest tote bag at your favorite shows doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be going in style! I found this adorable clear backpack on Etsy, designed with stadium-size regulations in mind.
Concert Diary: A concert diary? How cute is that! While most people nowadays simply document their experience via videos on a phone, the idea of having a physical space to recap the best nights of your life is such a sweet gift for anyone who actively goes to live shows. This isn’t even the only concert journal offered by this business, but it’s the best one for a pro. There are more options for people getting more into attending concerts, or planning for artists they’d love to see live!
Concert Tickets: It’s hard to buy tickets for someone when you can never be too sure they want to attend and are capable of attending an event. But the grand event of 2024 that no one can stop talking about is When We Were Young Fest If your loved one can make it to Vegas for this, they’d surely die to go. Besides that, some of the hottest tours next year are Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan, Waterparks, Pinkpantheress, and Madison Beer, with many other events yet to be announced. Check in on [ticketmaster.com] for all the most exciting happenings in your area!
For the pop music fan…
2023 was the year of Taylor Swift. She’s broken a billion records, sold out every single date on her massive stadium tour in seconds, been nominated for Grammys, released two re-recorded albums, and has more of a following than ever before. So before you yell at me for not including her in this segment, trust me when I say I’ve built one just for her a little further down. I think it’s fair to say that TS gifts will be very popular this year. Before I fully move on to her legacy and the immense variety of options in that respect, let’s talk about more pop music! This captures so many of the artists we cover here at KCM, so many of the artists our team loves and respects. Harry Styles, Reneé Rapp, Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan, Chappell Roan… so many of the wonderful names we’ve heard everyone raving about lately. Let’s see what there is to offer in this category!
Britney Spears Memoir: One of the world’s most iconic pop music stars has just recently dropped her memoir detailing her rise to fame, her relationships, and her trauma that became all too publicized. On her own terms, her life story has been put in writing. If your loved one has a passion for the history of legacy artists such as Ms. Britney Spears herself, this novel is a fantastic read they’ll be sure to love.
Minimalist Record Poster: This artist on Etsy has designed a minimalistic poster filled with some of the past decade or so’s most iconic, acclaimed records. If you’re not too sure what their favorite song or artist is, this is a great decor piece with tons of options and standouts. It is sold as a digital download, so purchase the listing and get it printed out and framed!
For the pop punk fan…
Pop punk is such an interesting, unique genre. I feel as if it tends to attract individuals who are strongly and confidently themselves. That includes bold statement pieces, paying attention to detail, embracing uniqueness, supporting one another, and building a scene that treats each other with respect and welcomeness. Punk culture is all about defying traditional norms and being kind, and pop punk is meant to be the new wave of this scene. So, chances are your pop punk-loving friend is big on individuality and creating a culture of positivity. I’ve compiled some funny, some bold, and some artist-specific suggestions in this category to keep punk culture alive and continue passing it down to each generation.
Blink-182 Mug: Ok, so… I did say I was going to include some silly items. While scrolling through Etsy for inspiration, this Blink-182 mug with misheard lyrics from “I Miss You” made me giggle just a little too much to not include it. This song is one of the most famously recognizable songs in the history of pop punk, so if this is your friend’s cup of tea (or coffee), they may love a new mug to freshen up their mornings.
Guitar Pick Necklace: Though this could also fall under the concert-goer category, let’s be so for real right now, there’s nowhere you’ll be more likely to find a pop punk kid than in the pit at their favorite band’s concert. Pop punk concerts are known for their intimate setting, with fans screaming the lyrics and occasionally getting rewarded with gifts from the bands, such as guitar picks and setlists. Friend doesn’t know what to do with their latest caught guitar pick? Get them this funky tie-dyed Pickbandz necklace, which allows them to display their prized possession on their neck!
Punk Choker: I did a lot of internet browsing to find some trendy punk jewelry and came across a lot of options that I didn’t quite love. But I think this website, especially this listing, has some unique and bold options. This choker is both adorable and gothic at once, and there are plenty of other options for necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more.
"Pop Punk's Not Dead" Cross-Stitch: Nothing is more punk than flowers and cuteness! This cross-stitched “pop punk’s not dead” piece is just gorgeous and a perfect item to display. It personalizes a room just that little bit more!
A whole lot of rising pop punk artists have been making a whole lot of noise lately. Most recently, I’ve seen an abundance of the scene discussing Broadside’s latest album, so if your loved one is into them, pick them up a hot new merch item from the band’s webstore, such as this long-sleeved top! Scene Queen is the absolute MOMENT as far as women in punk go. Her branding of death metal logos and heavy rock sounds while singing about “just girly things” is to die for. Think your friend might dig? Grab them one of her Bimbocore shirts while they last! Finally, Neck Deep is probably one of the most recognizable bands in the scene as far as new-wave pop punk music goes. Their latest work doesn’t release until January, but there’s plenty of merchandise to choose from in the meantime, including this beanie that’s just PERFECT for the winter months!
For the alternative/rock fan…
We’ve covered grounds for a lot of KCM’s most frequently published genres, but we haven’t quite discussed good ol’ rock and alternative yet. This can encompass a lot of things, really. When it comes to modern iconic rock, names that come up are often the likes of My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy, and alternative can encompass all sorts of indie-rock vibes, like Arctic Monkeys, Hippo Campus, and Glass Animals. Here are a few random gift ideas that fall under this broad category before we move on from discussing specific genres.
Album Keychain: This artist creates the most beautiful keychains complete with a picture of an album and an assortment of beads that best represent the album’s themes and color schemes. Showing off examples using some of the aforementioned bands, alongside other legacy artists like Panic! At The Disco, Lana Del Rey, and Metallica, they specialize in the rock and alternative genres and are capable of bringing to life an album of your choice in this excellent medium. Great for anyone who notably loves a specific album or artist!
Electric Guitar Ornament: The cutest new accessory for your loved one’s Christmas tree! This handmade electric guitar ornament comes in red or blue and is the sweetest touch to a rock lover’s Christmas tree.
Metal Band Stickers: If you’re a fan of any of the six artists featured in this Etsy listing, this artist has designed adorably cute renditions of some metal band logos. Such a great rendition of recognizable brands redone into artist names!
For the “loves to discover new music” friend…
The person you’re shopping for isn’t too picky. They just like music! They’re super happy to indulge in whatever you give them and explore new sounds. So where do you go from here?
Kinda Cool Magazine: An issue of Kinda Cool Magazine can go a long way, just saying… This is your ultimate guide to discovering new artists among multitudes of genres. Our team works hard to curate content about both your favorite stars and musicians we think you’ll love. Allow your friend to be introduced to new music in the intimate setting of raw interviews or broken-down album analyses!
Spotify Premium Subscription: If your friend doesn’t have Spotify Premium yet, this is a perfect opportunity to gift them a subscription! The app’s algorithm works so effectively in handpicking music that each user might enjoy based on their listening habits. As well, you’ve got access to unlimited playlists curated for all different genres and moods.
Check out what’s going on soon at your local independent venues. Maybe you can get them a gift card or a pass to something that sounds interesting! If they’re super adamant in wanting to discover new music, they’ll love the opportunity to see a show for someone they’ve never listened to before — it’s a great first impression to obtain of any live act.
Find a record label you’re fond of and take a peek at some of the lower-selling records and CDs they have available. They’re often up-and-coming or local musicians the label is working tirelessly to promote because they’ve seen the potential in them! For example, I often order from www.umusic.ca/collections/vinyl. Simply sort the search results by best-selling and work your way backwards to uncover some gold mines of unheard music. They’ll also often post bios of the artist, so you can get to know the genre sound before purchasing!
For the self-proclaimed indie/small artist promoter…
In a way, this falls under the last category. Your loved one is just ever so passionate about constantly broadening their horizons. They take small musicians under their wing and support and promote them until they break through the scene. We love people like this! They’re ever so crucial in the growth of the scene and the global appreciation and diversification of art. But maybe some of the bands they listen to are just so obscure you can’t find anything, or you just can’t seem to pinpoint the idea of what they might like. I’ve offered some options found in my searches below!
"Support Your Local Scene" print: A gorgeous little art print that says “Support your local scene.” Need I say more? It’ll make an awesome wall piece near your loved one’s music collection as they continue to admire their contributions to said growing local scene.
Feminist Pin: For this column in particular, I wanted to mostly highlight talented Etsy users because our indie music promoters are the same people lifting up small businesses! I searched valiantly for a bold piece in any medium regarding supporting women in the music scene/female-fronted bands, and unfortunately, search results garnered very little. However, I did track down this feminist pin that seems as if it would be a big hit within this community. A cheap and easy stocking stuffer!
"Support Your Local Bands" Shirt: Finally, this funny but kindhearted tee is something your friend could wear all around to proclaim their love for the scene. Nothing’s better than supporting live music than encouraging others to do the same!
For the Taylor Swift fan (who needs consolation in not getting Eras tickets in the form of excessive merchandise)...
Alright, I said I’d get back to this one, and I did. While I considered doing segments for other specific artists too, I couldn’t quite think of anyone with as wide of an impact lately as Taylor Swift. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, was trying to get Eras Tour tickets. The majority of the world that turned on her less than a decade ago has switched sides. Her legacy is being honored in the form of awards, university literacy classes in her name, honorary degrees, statues, and so on. With such a diverse catalog filled with country songs, pop songs, rock songs, R&B songs, folk songs, indie songs, and more, it’s hard not to love her. The number of people trying to get access to merch, vinyl, and show tickets this year is overwhelming. So for those who just couldn’t get the chance to see her live, or those who went to Eras but can’t have enough, let’s check out some wonderful fan-made merch available on the marketplace that you can order for your Swiftie loved one!
Taylor Swift-inspired Candles: C’mon, everyone who knows me knows I’d have to include a shameless self-plug in here. I make Taylor Swift-inspired candles, one for each album! I draw the scents, colors, and designs based on the feelings the songs on the record evoke. I’m making plenty of stock for the holidays if your Swiftie friend also likes things that smell nice!
Eras Tour Calendar: This Eras tour themed 2024 calendar is absolutely to die for. This artist has put so much thought and effort into curating pages based on each TS era using imagery from the tour and other graphics. They’ve even put thought into leaving the pages of the last two months as a surprise to echo the tour's surprise songs! This will be utterly adorable in any Swiftie household for the following year.
"You Need To Calm Down" Mug: How cute is this mug? It takes one of the first lyrics to “You Need To Calm Down,” Swift’s loudest activist track, and puts it literally. Since the assumption is that you’ll be using your coffee mug in the morning while attempting to wake up, this is purely perfect wordplay.
Recycled Vinyl Notebook: This recycled vinyl record notebook is such a splendid idea! This particular listing uses the original vinyl pressing of 1989 and turns it into a new work of art that you can write in. But, they have several other pieces available using Lover, folklore, evermore, and more! A brilliant idea for the TS fan in your life!
"Lavender Haze" Shirt: One could argue that Swift’s fans’ make better merch than Swift’s team herself, and pieces like this lovely “Lavender Haze” t-shirt. It brings to life the beautifully iconic 2022 track with wonderfully designed imagery and custom color choice (personally, I’d choose the lavender one to match). You can’t go wrong with something that looks this nice!
For the friend with niche collections…
Alright, so you don’t really have a clue what to get this friend because what they collect is so obscure and specific. They may have a favorite artist or two and work towards collecting everything that artist makes in any medium imaginable. While the suggestions below may not quite work for everyone, hopefully bringing up some popular celebrity or band merchandise collectibles over the past couple of years will at least jog your memory in figuring something out!
Sabrina Carpenter perfume: Pop fan? Sabrina Carpenter should be on your radar. This bubblegum pink pop princess creates the most fun and danceable music you’ve ever heard. She also creates delectably sweet perfumes! Her debut fragrance, Sweet Tooth, is bound to be a new signature scent for plenty of fans. If your friend has Carpenter and her music on their wish list, they’ll be sure to love this delicious, new celebrity perfume to add to their collection.
Fall Out Boy Funko Pops: Any Fall Out Boy fan simply must have the FOB collectible Funko Pops. There are three total — one of Patrick Stump, one of modern-day Pete Wentz, and one of old-school emo Pete Wentz. While I couldn’t find official, non-resale online listings for all three, this link will send you to check out what I believe is the most newly released, Stump’s collectible figure. Such a fun collection piece if you love this iconic band.
Hozier Journal: Hozier is another phenomenally talented artist who has been garnering the recognition he deserves this year. His latest record, Unreal Unearth, is arguably his best work yet. With loads of unique options on his merch store, like patches and hand-drawn shirt designs, this journal is a standout. Beautifully bound with vegan leather, it offers fans a creative outlet to do with as they please, and they will be pleasantly surprised by lyrics throughout the book on various pages. Each journal is supposedly different, and you never know what you might find or where you might find it. The recipient of this gift can write their own words and poetry alongside Hozier’s pure poetry lyricism.
And finally, for that one that just has everything listed above…
Because I found a few other neat ideas in my research that didn’t quite fit under any of the above categories, I wanted to include this little bonus segment at the end of my article to highlight them all. So many incredible artists exist on Etsy and other corners of the internet, and I just couldn’t bear to leave some of them out. I hope this gift guide will help inspire you in your holiday shopping. Whether you’ve discovered a new small business or a webstore I’ve linked has resonated with what your loved one loves, I’m happy to help in any small way! As a small business owner and a music industry professional, there’s nothing I adore more than bringing those two worlds together. Encouraging consumers to shop in places other than Amazon, Walmart, or other mega-retailers is so important. During the holiday season, a little goes a long way. The more exposure we can give independent shops, the better the world will become. I hope you enjoy these last few gift ideas, and happy holidays!
Music Box: A music box is such an interesting, one-of-a-kind item, and this listing allows it to be even more so. The engraving is gorgeous, and you can even add your own words on the inside or outside if you so please. Choose from an extensive list of songs to be captured permanently inside this old-school device. Simply crank the lever and the song will play.
Musical Paper Clips: Musical note paper clips! Genius! Whoever thought of this is so brilliant. These are just utterly adorable, and if you think the person you’re giving gifts to might use them in an office setting, this is a no-brainer stocking stuffer. Choose from multitudes of color options or a random assortment!
Music Stickers: These music-related illustrations are brought to life in the form of stickers! Everyone loves stickers. Put them on the car, the computer, the dresser, the water bottle… possibilities are endless. Another great stocking stuffer item, as it’s cheap and small. It includes several generations of music-listening methods, like cassette imagery and an itty pair of AirPods!