13 Christmas gift ideas for a boyfriend who loves music

13 Christmas gift ideas for a boyfriend who loves music

1. A thank-you letter inside a game Our product

   oin turns your story into a small 2D pixel game with him as the main character, generated from an authorized photo. Two letters from you open and close the story, so you can say the thing you never say out loud, and a 5-question quiz lets him prove he remembers your first gig together. The final level is set in Almaty, Kazakhstan; New York and Tokyo are coming soon. It plays in a browser, is usually emailed within an hour and the private link lasts a year. It costs $29.90. See how it works →

2. A record by an album he loves

   A vinyl pressing of the album he plays most, ideally a special edition he does not own. Check Discogs or a local record shop for coloured pressings. Around $25-60.

3. A turntable or a better one

   If he has started a collection, an Audio-Technica LP120 or a Rega Planar 1 is a lasting upgrade. Around $150-400.

4. A speaker that fits his flat

   A Sonos Era 100, a Marshall Emberton or a Bluetooth speaker from JBL, depending on whether he wants room sound or something portable. Around $100-300.

5. Headphones that finally sound right

   Sony WH-1000XM or Bose QuietComfort for noise cancelling, Sennheiser if he cares about sound quality. Used daily. Around $200-400.

6. Concert tickets for the new year

   Buy two tickets for a gig in January or February and give him the date in a card. Check resale fees before you commit. Prices vary.

7. A photo book of the gigs you have been to

   Pull the best photos and ticket stubs from your concerts and add one line each. Order by early December. Around $30-60.

8. A guitar pick set or a new set of strings

   If he plays, a few good sets of strings, a capo or a tuner is cheap, useful and shows you pay attention. Around $15-60.

9. A framed print of his favourite album cover

   A high-quality print for his wall, framed. Around $30-90.

10. A subscription for the season

    A year of a lossless streaming plan or a monthly vinyl club delivers all year round. Around $12-30 per month.

11. Pajamas for the holiday morning

    A cosy check set for the lazy part of the holidays, with the new record playing. Around $25-70.

12. A board game for two

    A music-themed party game or a two-player game for winter evenings: Codenames: Duet, Patchwork or Jaipur. Around $15-35.

13. A playlist of your relationship

    Twelve songs, one for each month, with a line for why. Burn it, share it or write it on a card.

How to buy music gifts without getting it wrong

Music lovers are particular. Do not guess the album - look at his shelf, his vinyl bin or his most-played list. If you can only afford one thing, choose something he would never splurge on himself: the special edition, the better cables, the good headphones.

If he has strong opinions on equipment, ask his friends or buy a gift card from his favourite shop and attach a note saying you will take him shopping.

Say it in a letter

Many men who care about music care about lyrics. A letter that is specific - the song that was playing the night you met, the concert where he held your bag all evening - lands more than a general ‘I love you’. A game is one way to deliver it; a card is another.