Fresh, student-recommended music gift ideas for musicians—updated for 2025
With the holidays coming up, now is the time to start thinking about music gifts for the musicians and music lovers in your life. Finding the right present can be tricky, especially if you are not a musician yourself. I’m here for you! As a student at Berklee College of Music, I asked some of my music school classmates what gifts were on their holiday wishlists this year. From practical gear to thoughtful surprises, here are some ideas musicians will actually use—and love.
Music Gift Idea 1: Instrument-Building Kits
These sets are great for people who love to build things and are passionate about playing musical instruments. You can find ukulele-building sets at places like Ohana Music, Uncommon Goods, Kikkerland, and C.B Gitty. The music-lover in your life can make their own folk instrument, have fun while building it, and finish the project with both a playable instrument and a conversation-starter decoration for their home or workspace, and let this tiny instrument serve as a memento of a fun time.
Music Gift Idea 2: Musical Artwork (Vinyl Records or Posters)
Does the musician in your life own a turntable? No? Do they want to? U-Turn Audio is a Boston-based company that manufactures quality record players. Don’t know whether or not the person you’re buying a gift for owns (or wants) a turntable? Also not a problem! Most music lovers enjoy decorating their homes with the album covers of their favorite artists, hanging them and/or the vinyl records themselves on their walls and doors. And oh yeah, some people like to play the records on the turntables! Whatever the gift recipient’s preference, you can find vinyl records at online retailers such as the Boston-based Good Taste Records, or if you’re looking for something a little more niche (while supporting independent businesses), try Discogs. Music posters can also be found on Etsy, and you can even choose the frame, style, and size. Looking for something a little more obscure? eBay often has posters by individual collectors that you might not find anywhere else.
Music Gift Idea 3: Vinyl Records as a Different Type of Art

Whether or not your music-lover gift recipient has a record player doesn’t matter for this gift. If they like records, they’ll like how artist Jeff Davis repurposes vinyl for decorative and functional use! On Vinylux Vintage Vinyl Design, you will find a variety of different artifacts made with vinyl, such as clocks, notebooks, ornaments, bracelets, and more.
Music Gift Idea 4: LED Lights
While you don’t have to love music to love LED lights, they are a smart gift for musicians who have a home studio or like to record social media content from their homes. Many times, musicians like to be in an environment where they feel the mood of the music they are creating and the lighting of the room can play an important role. LED lights allow you to choose from a diverse color palette and play around with the light intensity to help artists film more professional-looking videos (as well as get inspired when writing or recording a song). LED lights are available at most big-box retailers, but if you’re shopping online, we recommend you try someplace like partylights.com, a family-owned and operated company in Texas.
Music Gift Idea 5: Misunderstood Songs Game

The Misunderstood Songs Game is ideal for game nights with friends or family members looking to have a fun evening, regardless of how well they know music. In fact, not knowing music might give them an advantage here! Through diverse sets of musical genres, participants are asked to guess songs on the game cards based on lyrics to popular songs that are often misunderstood. “On a dark desert highway, Cool Whip in my hair”? What? “Cereal, little darling”? Okay! Find the game card set at Brass Monkey (a Kansas City small business that prides itself on “vintage-inspired smartassery”) and have it arrive at your house on time by the holiday season.
Music Gift Idea 6: Soundproofing Foam Sheets

With the rise of DIY (do-it-yourself) artists, more musicians are opting to build a studio at home and record their music independently. This can bring some challenges, as the acoustics inside an apartment or a house (or a basement) are often not as good as in a professional studio. If this sounds like someone you know, Berklee Online also has a few courses for that! Writer, Engineer, Producer in the Home Studio is a good start, and/or Architectural, Acoustic, and Audio System Design for the Modern Music Production Studio is for the more advanced studio builder! If the musician in your life already knows all of this stuff, they likely also know that they need soundproofing foam sheets to help them create a better environment for recording in their own homes, as they prevent outside noise from entering the room. Placing these sheets on the walls and doors in the room will improve the quality of the music they record. We recommend SoundproofStore.com, a Michigan-based independently-owned biz.
Music Gift Idea 7: Songwriting Notebook
While having a notebook these days can be considered old school, many musicians like to get back to basics to write their ideas down on actual paper. Having a small notebook that they can carry around everywhere may facilitate their creative process as they can tune out tech-based distractions and write down their thoughts whenever inspiration strikes. You can find great songwriting notebooks on Etsy, where you can personalize them by selecting the color, adding the person’s name, and a cool design on the cover! Other great websites where you can personalize your notebook include Ox&Pine Leather Goods or Papier, depending on the style you are looking for.
Music Gift Idea 8: New Autobiographies of Musicians
By the end of 2025, legends like Paul McCartney, Kenny Chesney, and Patti Smith, will have released their autobiographies, to say nothing of the new autobiographies by late legends like Ozzy Osbourne and Layne Staley of Alice in Chains. This gift is perfect for music fanatics who love these artists, their music, and enjoy reading non-fiction books. While we highly encourage you to buy from independent booksellers, here is a list of the latest autobiographies and music books categorized as Best Sellers on Amazon.
Musical Autobiographies that Came out in 2025
Click on a cover to reveal more about each book.
Music Gift Idea 9: Tripod for SmartPhones and/or Cameras
Nowadays, if you want to make a career as an independent musician, your presence on social media is a must, and this is where a tripod comes in handy! Whether you are an artist, instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, creator, or anyone who loves to make music and content, a tripod is going to make the job of recording video content much easier. Having a tripod allows musicians to record their content from a variety of angles. Depending on the size, it is also easy to carry around to rehearsals, studios, and live events, where you can easily place your phone and stop worrying about getting the perfect footage. Tripods can be found at most major retailers, but if you’re interested in supporting independent businesses, we recommend Dolica, Rockbrook Camera, or Mike’s Camera.
Music Gift Idea 10: Vocal Health Care Products for Singers

For singers, taking care of their vocal cords is a must, especially if they are constantly performing, rehearsing, and recording vocals. Here are some products that may be beneficial for singers’ vocal health:
Vocal Guard Supplement
Vocal Mist offers a daily supplement made of a mix of vitamins that enhances vocal strengths and supports the respiratory system. This supplement has anti-inflammatory and hydrating substances that promote greater vocal health, enhancing performance.
Singer’s Delight
Another gift option from Vocal Mist, providing a practical and effective way to take care of your voice. This gift bundle contains a nebulizer and a case that singers can store and take it to performances and rehearsals.
Ultrasonic Nebulizers
Nebulizers allow singers’ vocal cords to get the direct hydration they need, improving their stamina and aiding recovery after a performance. This gift will enable singers to stay hydrated, which will in turn help their voices feel better during performances. These are the different types of nebulizers:
Nebulizers allow singers’ vocal cords to get the direct hydration they need, improving their stamina and aiding recovery after a performance. This gift will allow singers to feel hydrated and will therefore help their voices feel good during performances. These are the different types of nebulizers:
- Mesh Nebulizers: Contain a mesh that vibrates and creates a mist of saline solution or hydration formula. Mesh nebulizers are portable, which makes them perfect to use on-the-go, especially during performances.
- Compressor Nebulizers: Contain a compressor that pushes air through a liquid medicine or saline solution, creating a mist. This type of nebulizer is best to keep at home.
Music Gift Idea 11: Unique Bluetooth Speakers
Speakers in the form of cassette tapes, beer bottles, gramophones, and more can provide a fun and useful decoration. At Uncommon Goods, you can find a bluetooth speaker in the form of a 1950s speaker and an acoustic gramophone that merges the retro vibe with modern technology. Repurposed Solutions offers a variety of different speakers in the form of luggage, first-aid kits, and whiskey barrels. Any of these is sure to be a conversation starter! Portable speakers in the form of a cassette tape can be found at Crosley, which can be a great gift for the music lover who likes carrying their speakers to parties and special hangouts.











