Top Twelve Gift Ideas For Music Lovers
By Ryan C
Music lovers can be a hard bunch to shop for, and with the holidays being as hectic as they are, we here at BeatCrave thought we’d make things easier for you with our list of twelve items sure to tickle any music lover’s fancy. We’ve got things for the cost-conscious and the spendthrifts alike, so take a look before you waste an hour and a half rifling through mall shops and only come away with a previously-owned “Hannah Montana” CD.
12. iTunes Gift Cards
Practical and affordable. If you know they’re a music fan, but have no idea what kind of music they’re into, an iTunes gift card solves all your gift-giving worries. And look at those snazzy designs!
- Price: $15.00 – $100.00
11. iPods (and iPod accessories)
Because everyone either has one or wants one. And with Apple unveiling their most extensive line of iPods earlier this year, you have plenty of options to work with. Affordable iPod shuffles for the casual listeners, eye-popping iPod nanos for the hipsters, 120 GB iPod classics for the power users, or iPod touches for the gadget heads. And for those who already have iPods, there are accessories galore. From cases to noise-canceling earbuds, mixers to speakers, there’s something out there for any iPod owner.
- Price: $49.00 – $399.00
10. “I Listen To Bands That Don’t Even Exist Yet” T-Shirt
For that one friend (or more) we all have who is a total music snob. Let’s be honest, they’d probably get a kick out of this, too.
- Price: $15.00
9. iRacer Surround-Sound Chair
When a simple speaker next to your sofa isn’t enough, a surround-sound sofa chair is what you need. Questions of excess aside, this actually looks like a pretty sweet gift. We all need somewhere to relax while we’re listening to our music, so why not a custom chair with 4 speakers and a 30-watt subwoofer? Hooks up to MP3 players, game consoles, and more.
- Price: $399.00
8. Music Posters
Part of the music-loving experience is slathering your wall with all sorts of posters and musician paraphernalia. Check out allposters.com for a huge variety of posters, framed and non-framed, classic and contemporary. Or for the really hardcore fans out there, check out this holiday must-have: life-sized Jonas Brothers wall decals. I know, I can’t stop drooling either.
- Price: $6.99 and up
7. Ticket Stub Diary
Because I’m either a pack-rat or overly-sentimental or something inbetween. I love old concert stubs. Sometimes it’s because a concert held special meaning for me, sometimes it’s because I just want to look back 20 years down the line and be able to say, “Yup, I caught [enter band name here] live before [enter band member here] [enter tragic fate/career-ending drug addiction/sex change here] happened.”
- Price: $12.00
6. Beats by Dr. Dre In-Ear Headphones by Monster
Our friends over at GearCrave highlighted this item a little while ago, and with good reason. When one of the world’s premiere music producers (and an infamous perfectionist) endorses audio equipment, you should probably pay attention. The Beats by Dr. Dre In-Ear Headphones are sleek in design and come with all of the quality manufacturing we’ve come to expect from Monster. Audiophiles won’t be the only ones putting these down on their wish lists this year.
- Price: $149.95
5. Books on Music
Nothing quite captures the imaginations of fans like the whispered stories and well-documented anecdotes that trickle out from the lives of musicians. For die-hard fans with a literary bent, musician biographies make a perfect gift. From The Beatles to The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Clapton to Cobain, Amazon has an extensive list to find something for any taste.
- Price: ~$10.00 and up
4. Sufjan Stevens’ “Songs For Christmas” Box Set
42 songs across 5 CDs for $14.99 total? Sign me up! I know what you’re thinking–Christmas song collections are notoriosuly lame. But Sufjan Stevens navigates the tricky and easily-terrible holiday music scene with this collection of 5 EPs that he started recording annually back in 2001 as a gift for his friends and family. Completely aware of pop stars putting out over-produced holiday dribble, Stevens opted to break the mold with low-key and beautifully arranged renditions of holiday favorites to go with his own holiday-themed tunes. The box set also comes with an assortment of goodies including chord charts, lyrics, and a 42-page booklet with original Christmas essays and stories. It’s a great gift for any indie rock fan.
- Price: $14.99
3. iLuv iNT170 WiFi Enabled Internet Radio Clock
Music is available from a plethora of sources these days, so why not consolidate your listening experience? The iLuv iNT170 lets you do just that, not only serving as a FM radio, but also connecting to your network either wirelessly or with an ethernet cable to stream music from the Internet. Wake up to your favorite online music sites like Pandora or Slacker, or hook up other audio devices through an auxiliary 3.5mm jack input. The elegantly functional design will be a good fit anywhere in the house.
- Price: $199.99
2. NuMark TTi USB Turntable (with LP-to-MP3 Converter)
Gadgets and technology are revolutionizing the music-listening experience. For the oldschool collectors who haven’t gone digital yet–now is the time. And this way you can future-proof your music collection without having to spend thousands of dollars repurchasing it again on CD or through iTunes. The fact that it doubles as a working record player while allowing you to rip songs from vinyl onto your iPod or a computer instantly makes this slick turntable from NuMark a worthwhile buy.
- Price: $449.00 MSRP, $249.00 from Amazon & other online retailers
1. 35 Year Collection of Top 100 45 RPM Records
Love your vinyl? And I mean, REALLY love your vinyl? Neiman Marcus has an amazing collection for sale this holiday season. Included is EVERY SINGLE 45 RPM vinyl record that was listed on the Billboard Top 100 Rock and Pop charts from 1955 to 1990. There are some 18,400 records in total, and a number of them even come autographed. The Beatles, Elvis, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix are all represented in the collection. Tthe price tag? A cool $275,000. For those with deep pockets and someone they SERIOUSLY want to impress.
- Price: $275,000.00
Saturday, December 20, 2008 2:50PM
[...] Top Twelve Gifts Ideas for Music Lovers [...]
Wednesday, December 24, 2008 9:06AM
Okay admittedly some of these are over priced ( headphone) and just not attractive ( Chairs) however The i tunes gift card is nice because you can make mixes and send them to the recipient of the gift card so that it they have some ideas on what to buy. Its also nice because even thought you can get the stuff on lime wire some of us actually support bands that we like instead of stealing from them. Secondly the tee shirt some people like threadless. And Sufjan Stevens, you obviously have no taste in music what so ever if you think his music appeals to only 16 year old girls. Some people like i pods however i agree the more than 3 apple products was overkill. The record player it nice but you could get one for much cheaper or just get one at a thrift store.Some of use actually like to support bands by buying there vinyl. SO admittedly this could use work however it was not a complete fail and some people should stop craping all over it.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
Why does everything have to be about Apple and iPods and all of their accessories?
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
@Brian…I was wondering that myself. By "top twelve gift ideas" the author really meant here, have six advertisements for iPods. I consider myself a music lover, but I don't support Apple so I guess it isn't true.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
LOL @ audiophiles buying the beats. I've heard nothing but bad stuff about them. Also…Monster cables? Seriously, I thought they went out of business when everyone realize that in order to get a decent improvement in sound, you have to buy cables that aren't sold at BestBuy.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
what an awful list, if i were to receive any of these i'd turn right around and sell it on craigslist.
and itunes gift card? yes please, give me more drm-crippled music! a shirt which will make even the most "ironic" hipster cringe? over here! a "surround sound" chair with what are most probably some atrocious speakers built so assuming that all humans have ears in their forearms? priceless. and i can't tell which is most offensive, the earbuds made by THE company most notorious for selling overpriced audiophile shit to peopel who don't know the difference between price and sound quality or the substandard turntable which they probably charge double for just because it has a built in usb sound card.
i much more like the 2 gig usb still full of music. a personalized gift which had to have taken at least some thought and is infinitely reusable? there's something i'd like to see in my stocking.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
I agree you you fellas… I don't care to support Apple. I decided to purchase a handful of 2gig USB sticks for $9.99 each and personalize them depending on the persons tastes. Who wouldn't want 2 gigs of music.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
the author of this is a TOOL. i manage a radio station (music lover enough?), and of all the crap on this list i only own a turntable (which you can convert into a recorder for 20 bucks at radio shack) and a couple posters. who the fuck would buy 150 dollar EARBUDS? and sufjan stevens is not a universally liked musician, so don't buy his box set for anyone that isn't a 16 year old girl. in addition, everything on this list you can get for better value as long as you don't stick to pathetic brand recognition (i.e: apple, numark, monster, etc.).
AND there is no reason to get 45s when 33s provides an entire album, exposing people to new music instead of the single they can hear on youtube for free.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
This list was not written by a muso! Much better quality kit can be bought for much cheaper, no muso would want a DRM-crippled player or gift card, and the rest are disappointing gimicks! What person who cares about music would want a super-cheap collection of Christmas covers? No thanks!
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
This is not a list for music-lovers, it's a list for hipsters. And I really hope no one of the target-audience actually buys that 7"-collection, I hope it goes to someone who has a clue and cares about music.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
Lame list. No instruments and there is 6 apple products. Whoever wrote this list is obviously clueless.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
Wow, I wish I could get paid by Apple to write such great "journalism."
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
I appreciate the effort, but I wouldn't recommend any of these products if you love music.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
It's all about the love. lets forget about i-anything and remember the vinyl. That last gift is the gift that keeps on givin'. I'm analog. what else can anyone really ask for?
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
You would have got your message out if you had just written "Apple" in big writing all over the page. The sad thing is people actually believe this "subtle" propoganda. Next time a flashy pop-up would be much preferred, that way everyone will know it's fake.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
Flippin heck! Chill out! So some of the stuff isn't to your taste, get over it!
On a lighter note, that ticket stub diary is an awesome present. If it was an English website I'd be all over it.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
death to apple and all who enjoy it!
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
I want that last one, 18.400 singles !!!
Unfortunately I've become lazy since… MP3.
So… I'll buy it under the condition that a jukebox, capable of holding all singles, is part of the deal.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
how are you people seeing 6 apple products? there are two…gift cards and ipod. the chair and radio thing have nothing to do with apple.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
There are a couple of awesome ideas in this article: I love the t-shirt and I've saved all of my concert ticket stubs so I'm excited to learn about the journal! Thanks.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
Also! If you know anyone with a little one, don't forget Rockabye Baby! CD (http:www.rockabyebabymusic.com)and their country cousin, Hushabye Baby! (http://www.hushabyemusic.com).All your favorite rock bands and artists turned into baby music – something both parents and babies will rock out to! Trust me, these are AWESOME.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:36PM
why the hell would u suggest a holiday gift thats valued at 275,000???
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 8:11AM
Nice gift ideas! Specially who is a music lovers… i would love to received any of this gifts. For die-hard fans What are you waiting! make a perfect gift. gives a thumbs up on su!!
Thursday, February 5, 2009 3:21AM
just a perfect gift.
Friday, February 20, 2009 6:01PM
[...] Top Twelve Gift Ideas For Music Lovers [...]
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 5:21PM
Nice ideas. Even though most are too expensive to buy for my small budget, it gave me a few good ideas for a friend.
The discussion if this list is a good list or not is exaggerated. The main purpose of those lists in my eyes is to give ideas, not to buy exactly what they say. Like #7 for example. Name: Ticket Stub Diary. Idea: A book for old concerts. What I did: I bought a normal journal, put a bit effort into it to make it to my friends liking and than I started the diary with putting the memories, stubs and pictures of our first concert into it. (For people with more money: Starting it with an invitation to a concert).
Sunday, August 9, 2009 10:29PM
This book is great for music lovers! My girlfriend gave it to me recently and I love it. The posters are perforated and the paper quality is awesome. The art rocks, and its most of my favorite bands.
Friday, December 11, 2009 10:44AM
[...] in 2008’s BeatCrave’s “Top 12 Gift Ideas For Music Lovers” this collection of albums is both Sufjan and Christmas music at its best. His rendition of [...]