Top 23 Gifts for Music
1Hercules Guitar Hanger Upgraded Auto Grip System with Wood Block Wall Mount
MusicRadar's 2025 pick for guitarists: a wall hanger that closes over the neck so the guitar stays put and out of harm's way.
£16.99Andertons
3Ernie Ball 3 Inch Flat Ribbon Patch Cable 3-Pack in White
Guitar World picks these slim flat patch cables for anyone building a pedalboard; three short leads keep pedals tidy.
£24.99Andertons Music Co
5Dunlop Tortex Standard Plectrums, Variety 12 Pack
Guitar World's under-£20 pick: a dozen Tortex picks in six gauges, so any guitarist can find the one they like.
£7.49Fair Deal Music
7Alpine MusicSafe Pro Black Ear Plugs with Case
Guitar World picks these filtered earplugs for musicians, with swappable filters so gigs and band practice stay at a safe volume.
£27.95drumshop.co.uk
9MusicNomad Premium Guitar Care Kit 3 Pak Guitar One 2 oz F ONE 1/2 oz Microfiber Cloth
A cleaner, fretboard oil and cloth in one box, so a guitarist can keep their instrument looking and playing well; picked by Guitar World as a stocking filler.
£19.99Andertons Music Co
11Dunlop Trigger Fly Capo in Black
Guitar World rates the Trigger Fly as the best capo for acoustic players, and it clamps on with one hand.
£19.99Andertons Music Co
13
Hachette Book Group Superstar Guitars Book
For the dad who can name every guitar on stage
£50.00John Lewis
2Ernie Ball 10 ft Braided Guitar Cable in Black with Straight Jack to Angled Jack
MusicRadar loves these tangle-resistant braided cables; a sturdy, noise-shielded replacement that any guitarist or bassist will use at every gig.
£24.99Andertons
4TC Electronic Polytune Clip Tuner
Guitar World's pick for players with several guitars: a tiny clip-on that tunes all six strings at once.
£39.99Andertons Music Co
6Dunlop 220 Medium Chromed Steel Slide
Guitar World recommends this classic chrome steel slide as a cheap stocking filler for anyone curious about bottleneck blues.
£8.99Fair Deal Music
8Daddario Pro-Winder String Winder & Cutter For Guitars
Guitar World calls a string winder a game changer for guitarists; this one also cuts strings and pulls bridge pins, a handy stocking filler.
£11.90drumshop.co.uk
10D'Addario PW-GBMT-01 Multi-Tool for Guitar and Bass
A pocket-sized 10-in-1 tool with hex keys and screwdrivers that a guitarist can keep in the gig bag; Guitar World lists it as a stocking filler.
£16.99Andertons Music Co
12
Apple AirPods Pro 3 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C), White
Which? picked these noise cancelling earbuds as a top gift for teens, and John Lewis shoppers rate them 4.8 out of 5.
£219.00John Lewis
Buying the record itself
Collectors care about the exact edition, colour and pressing, so a guess is risky. Ask, check their wishlist, or choose a voucher for an independent record shop so they can pick. Buying straight from an artist's own shop usually means more of the money reaches them.
If you do want to buy a record, look for a title already on their wishlist, or a new pressing of something they love that they may not know exists. Record Store Day releases and signed editions are popular, but sell out fast, so check dates before you plan around them.
Care and cleaning
Every collector needs a way to keep records clean. A cleaning kit, an anti static brush, a stylus cleaner and a pack of fresh inner sleeves protect the collection and are rarely bought until something gets scratched.
A carbon fibre brush costs very little and makes a real difference to how a record sounds. A record cleaning machine is a bigger gift for someone with hundreds of discs, and a stylus replacement is a thoughtful one for anyone whose needle has not been changed in years.
Storage and display
Collections outgrow their shelves. A sturdy crate, a storage cube, a wall frame for a favourite sleeve or a now playing stand turns the records into part of the room.
Measure their shelf first if you can. Records are twelve and a half inches square, so a unit built for them keeps sleeves upright and stops the warping that comes from stacking them flat.
Upgrades for the setup
A better turntable or a pair of bookshelf speakers is the big present that changes how every record sounds. Smaller upgrades like a cork or felt mat or a record weight are lovely extras for someone who already has a setup they love.
If they are starting out, a reliable entry level deck such as the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X gets them playing without fuss. If they already own one, a better cartridge is the upgrade serious listeners notice most.
Books about records
Books of album cover art, guides to record collecting and histories of labels and scenes are made for people who love the object as much as the music.
Put the exact links on a HintDrop list, which is free and works with any shop, and send it to the family. Your favourite band gets the sale, you get the right record, and nobody buys a duplicate.
Stocking fillers and small extras
A slipmat, a pack of outer sleeves, a record store day tote bag, a pair of vinyl themed coasters or a gift card for their favourite shop all fit in a stocking and get used. These work well as extras alongside a bigger present, or as the main gift when the budget is small.
Skip novelty items that look like records but are not, such as clocks made from real discs. Most collectors would rather keep their vinyl for playing.
Frequently asked questions
What do you buy a vinyl collector?
Things that look after or show off the collection: a cleaning kit, inner sleeves, a storage crate or display frame, or a turntable or speaker upgrade. For records themselves, ask for the exact pressing.
Is it safe to buy a record as a gift?
Only if you know the exact edition they want. Otherwise a voucher for an independent record shop lets them choose.
What accessories do record collectors need?
A cleaning brush or kit, a stylus cleaner, fresh inner sleeves, sturdy storage and a turntable mat or record weight.
How can a gift support the artist?
Buy vinyl, merch or signed prints straight from the artist's own shop or their label. More of the money reaches the band than through big retailers.
What is a good budget gift for a record collector?
A carbon fibre cleaning brush, a pack of fresh inner sleeves or a voucher for a local record shop all cost under 15 pounds and get used straight away.
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