Ebenezer Scrooge is notorious for asserting that Christmas coming only once a year was "A poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every 25th of December!" However you feel about gift-giving, surely you have some musician friends, loved ones or perhaps even a Scrooge or two for whom you'll pick your own pocket to stuff one of their stockings. Once again, Music Connection has your back. As far as your front goes, you’re on your own. So go on: pick your pocket, stuff a stocking and ghost the Ghost of Christmas Present with our 2024 stocking stuffer suggestions for musicians.
Amos TastySounds recordable lollipop $9.99
Since music’s invention (or discovery, depending on your perspective), some must have wondered how they could also taste a tune. Thankfully, enterprising entrepreneurs have discovered a way to marry the two pleasures by combining bone conduction tech and sugary non-tech lollipops. Finally, you’ll be able to eat what you hear and hear what you eat. TastySounds recordable lollipops come in various flavors, none of which is volume control. #MissedOpportunity tinyurl.com/yey32czy
Music transpose tool for notes, chords and key signature $8.97
Some people can transpose on the fly. For those who can’t, this simple wheel might be a welcome stuffing to their stocking and can even help singers adjust to their ideal vocal range. Think old-fashioned slide rule without the pesky, utilitarian math vibes. tinyurl.com/5ery9y9d
Gorilla Tips fingertip protectors for guitarists $7.93 - $10.99
Just like it shouldn’t hurt to listen to someone play the guitar, it shouldn’t hurt to play it, either. Already have callused digits? Gorilla Tips are like helmets for your fingertips. Play until they hurt and then don these. Unless, of course, you want an excuse not to practice. Not to call humbug, but excuses make terrible stocking stuffers. tinyurl.com/3ufxhvsj
Kikkerland custom hand-crank music box $15.59
Music boxes are cute, quaint and quirky. But wouldn’t it be cool if you could gift one that played a friend’s own song, one that they had written? It might be a bit like hearing one of their original compositions being cranked out of an ice cream truck. But that can’t be as bad as it sounds. Shucks, it may even represent the fulfillment of a childhood dream. tinyurl.com/5yz4jbn6
AZIMOM 3D illusion electric guitar night light $17.99
What kind of musician needs a night light? Perhaps one for whom walking into walls in the middle of the night has lost some of its charm. But if you still want to slam into drywall, why not do it by the glow of this 10-inch, 3D-like guitar night light? It comes with a remote control and can be tuned to any of 16 colors.
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Customized musical greeting card starting at around $1
Many online outfits will create a greeting card with custom sounds, such as a friend's song. If you prefer the DIY route, music/sound/voice recording player chip modules for greeting cards are inexpensive and are available from a number of outlets such as AliExpress for as little as $1. tinyurl.com/26858kn8
Whistle Musical Candy $2.49
With the obvious exception of four of the five kids from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, there are few situations that aren’t sweetened by candy. The holidays are no different. But go beyond typical treats and choose one that comes tune-enabled. How ridiculous would it be if this became a recording engineer’s go-to piece of gear? Even if it doesn’t, you’ve still got the candy. tinyurl.com/5n77aftb
QuikStaff staff-drawing pen $11.99
It’s a well-known and vexing problem for composers: there’s often no staff paper around when it’s needed. Banish the problem with QuikStaff’s staff-drawing pen, an implement with which you can draw a five-line music staff on any blank piece of paper. To other musicians, this may almost seem like sleight of hand when you produce a freshly-drawn piece of staff out of thin air... nearly. Unless they also own a QuikStaff. tinyurl.com/3wje432y
Customized musical refrigerator magnet starting at $15.99
Old-school refrigerator magnets have always lacked the magic of music. Until now. You can select a pic and a song that will play anytime you need to go from a sulky scullery to a bitchin’ kitchen. It can even be controlled via a phone’s Bluetooth. Add a classic song or one created by the musician you know. Refrigerators can now be both cold and cool. tinyurl.com/32m7bzun
AKG K240 MKII headphones $79
These over-ear, semi-open headphones are billed as the most widely-used studio headphones in the world. That makes Santa’s job easy and presumably yours too. tinyurl.com/3dua9umr
Air Vinyls scented CDs and turntable starting at $14.99
Someone’s finally invented a mini turntable that will spin scented CD-like discs to freshen your car. These tiny twirlers clip onto AC vents and whirl when air is circulated, so no batteries or charging is required. The starter set includes one turntable and two CDs. With 100 covers to choose from, you’ll find something to your taste, if not to your smell. airvinyls.co/collections/car-fresheners
Tiny harmonica $6.99
Often when someone says they’re a musician, people want to hear them play a song. Just as often, they don’t. But don’t accommodate the naysayers. Be a force for good or at least for an impromptu tune—an “impromt-tune,” if you will. Or even if you won’t. With this Tiny Tim-sized four-hole, eight-tone harmonica slung around your neck, a melody can be conjured at any time. tinyurl.com/3956j6fd
Otamatone Sanrio Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary $45.99
It’s hard to believe, Hello Kitty invaded pop culture 50 years ago. That’s .62 Keith Richards’ lifespans or 5.36 of Mozart’s. To mark the occasion, Sanrio has released their Otamatone that allows users to create music easily and quirkily. The pitch is altered by sliding fingers up the stem and vibrato is produced when the kitty’s cheeks are squeezed, almost like with real kitties. The trio of required AAA batteries is a rich excuse for picking anyone's pocket for the 25th of December. tinyurl.com/yaw8r67x
