Most Wanted Christmas Gifts for Music Lovers

Being married to a music lover and the mother of another music lover I am continually challenged when it comes to purchasing gifts for them for Christmas. You want to purchase gifts that are personal and mean something to the recipient and for the music lover that often boils down to music related gifts. Here, I have compiled a list of some of the best gift ideas for music lovers. When you are searching for just the right gift, you sometimes need to look outside the box! In all honesty, I get tired of buying CDs and am always looking for something different. This list combines some simple ideas with some more elaborate. Some of these gifts are very expensive while others are frugal and still special.

• For the young music enthusiast who is just getting into the scene, a musical instrument and lessons would be ideal. There are usually listings for music lessons in the phone book or you could check with your local music store. A teach yourself to play book might be appropriate as well. If you play an instrument yourself, you may give the gift of time by giving them lessons.
• The very obvious Gift Card to a CD store such as Best Buy or FYE is always nice as is an i-tunes gift card. This is probably one of the most appreciated of gifts for a teenager or music enthusiast who never finds the money to buy music for themselves.
• For the musician who is already proficient with their chosen instrument, a gift card to a local music store for supplies is very thoughtful. Pics, strings, reeds and drumsticks are the often overlooked items that a musician can never have enough of! For a more personal touch, these items also make great stocking stuffers!
• Song books, specifically for a musicians favorite band, are usually a hit. Ebay is a great resource for hard to find song books! Many music fans, even if they do not play themselves, enjoy looking at and owning the complete tablature for songs.
• A discography of their favorite band is usually quite welcome. While they may have one or two cds by that band, a discography usually includes every disc they have ever put out! Most discographies also come in a collectible case or have some other special feature that you cannot get by buying the cds separate.
• Blank cds are usually welcome by someone who is serious about music as they can then record songs onto a compilation or backup their favorite discs.
• Make a compilation of songs you feel they will enjoy and personalize it! Add "your" song in the middle of a list of old favorites. Use a theme or a hobby to suggest what to add to the compilation. This is a frugal and thoughtful gift that anyone would love!
• Concert DVDs of their favorite bands.
• Concert tickets.
• Season tickets to the opera or theater.
• A great way to broaden a young music lover's interests is to check out Pandora Radio at Pandora.com . Their system takes bands or songs that you are interested in and gives suggestions for others you might like. Enter your music lovers favorite bands into the system and get some suggestions for new bands for them to listen to. Then purchase their cds and give them the gift of something new to listen to with assurance that they will probably love it!
• An idea for wrapping these music related presents is to print out some sheet music and use that as wrapping paper.

These are only a few gifts I have given in the past. When a person loves music or is a musician, the ideas are endless. Pay attention to their favorite bands or types of music, try to be open to listening to the music yourself and go wild!