The Holiday Gift Guide For People That Like Music And Stuff

Christmas is well on its way and since it has already been a really long year, we put together a list of unique gift ideas for the special someones that in your life. Whether it’s for your mom, dad, sister, brother, fiancée, ex-lover, weird aunt or degenerate friends, you’re bound to find an item they will cherish for at least six months. It’s officially gift-giving time, so pour one out for your bank account.


Action Bronson’s F*ck, That’s Delicious
$28.61 at Indigo Books

Everyone’s favourite easy-riding rapper packs in 40-plus of his freshest recipes — inspired by his travels, family and tours — into one mind-blowing hardcover. Jamaican Jerk? Obviously. Golden Beet Poke? Duh. Hand-rolled pasta from master chef Mario Batali? Of course. This ain’t your mama’s cookbook.
 


ColorWare Nintendo Switch
$499.99 at ColorWare

Nintendo’s latest hybrid console is an obvious pick which makes it difficult to pass on the idea of buying a brand new Switch through ColorWare and decking it out using 58 different colours. Their paint jobs and skins can also be applied to Joy-Cons, Pro Controllers, Magic Keyboards, Apple AirPods, and more.
 


Cuphead 4xLP Deluxe Vinyl
$100.00 at iam8bit

Studio MDHR’s Cuphead is one of the greatest indie video games ever made so it makes sense to own the soundtrack. Their collaboration with iam8bit sticks by the game’s 1930s aesthetic and puts the three-plus hours of fully-orchestral, jazz-meets-big band decadence (see “Floral Fury”) onto four LPs.
 


The FADER Print Subscription
$49.99 at The FADER

The FADER is the holy grail for all things cool and forward-thinking and their print subscription is kind of a no-brainer for your friend that’s into music, fashion, and “How To Hump In The Heat”.
 


Glossier Phase 2 Set
$50.00 at Glossier

The New York beauty brand has taken over every woman’s beauty regimen and while their Phase 1 Set concentrates on perfectly primed and glowing skin, Phase 2 is all about getting ready to face the day. It’s affordable and ideal for every strong, independent woman you know who needs her warpaint.
 


Google Home Mini
$39.00 at Google Store

Google’s new puck-sized, voice-activated speaker lets you stream music, schedule reminders, call friends, control in-home devices, and laugh at terrible jokes on demand. It also costs less than $50.
 


G Pen Pro
$99.95 at Grenco Science

For the discrete blazer, the Pro vaporizer balances both form and function for the perfect puff of your favourite flowers. Plus, with a price point of under $100, you can save some green for some green.
 


iPhone X
$1,319.00 at Select Carriers

Apple’s long-awaited “Android Killer” sports a hefty price tag but its worth a generation leap (or two) thanks to its new interface, rear telephoto camera, Portrait Mode, and gorgeous 5.8-inch OLED screen.
 


LG G6
$999.99 at Select Carriers

LG’s go-to is still one of the best Android phones around and the new G6 improves on that with a better camera and a glossy 5.7-inch display that makes multitasking and daily media consumption a breeze.
 


Lizzy Goodman’s Meet Me In The Bathroom
$23.45 at Indigo Books

Lizzy Goodman’s oral history of the New York scene that was draws on more than 200 interviews with musicians, bloggers, managers, groupies, models, and movie stars. It’s unapologetic, raw, and a truly candid look at the arcs of your favourite rock acts — like I’m With The Band but with way more Interpol.
 


Lomo’Instant Automat Camera
$225.00 at Lomography

Lomography’s complete redesign of the Lomo’Instant adds automatic exposure control and encases it all in a variety of themes that come with their own perks. It also uses Instax Mini film which puts colour fidelity and contrast first, and helps to create intricate images that focus on the finer details of life.
 


Mondo’s Josie And The Pussycats Purple Leopard Vinyl
$25.00 at Mondo

The team at Mondo specializes in screen print posters, toy collectibles, and vinyl pressings — including this reissue of the Josie And The Pussycats soundtrack. The Purple Leopard Vinyl is all cheese but it’s just meant to be for anyone that has ever scream-sung the words “I’m a punk rock prom queen”.
 


No Fun’s “Friendly” Teddy Bear
$20.00 at No Fun Press

Cute yet cuddly with a ferocious attitude. Sound like anyone you know? We all have that one friend so stick them with this little guy and other pins, patches, and specialty items from No Fun Press.
 


No Sleep’s Sad Music For Sadder People Sweater
$28.00 at No Sleep Records

Because nothing says Christmas like an all-black crewneck for #sadboys.
 


Orbit Custom Turntable
$179.00 at U-Turn Audio

Boston’s U-Turn Audio are masterminds when it comes to cool audiophile-quality turntables and their hand-made Orbit Custom is a great starting point for vinyl noobs who just want to spin records.
 


OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker
$49.99 at OXO

OXO’s cold brew gizmo is a byproduct of “hipsterdom” but it’s kind of a must-own if coffee is your lifeblood. It’s easy to use and actually makes delicious, low-acid concentrate (or tea) without electricity.
 


Razer Blade Stealth (2017)
$1,599.99 at Razer

The redesigned Razer Blade Stealth is a high-end premium Core i7 laptop that’s “all power, all mobility” and its 13.3″ QHD+ display makes it pretty ideal for writing/editing/gaming. It’s also fully compatible with Razer’s Thresher Ultimate headset and Razer Core V2 in case you need to lose touch with reality.
 


Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT Over-Ear Headphones
$199.95 at Sennheiser

Sennheiser is considered to be one of the best headphone brands out there for film and music nerds. They go big on sound design and back it up with comfort, and in the case of their new HD 4.40 BT and HD 4.50 BTNC models, they’ve figured out how to shed those pesky wires without sacrificing either.
 


Shea Serrano’s Basketball (And Other Things)
$21.88 at Indigo Books

Shea Serrano’s rim-rocking spinoff from The Rap Yearbook provides arguments and answers to some of the biggest what-ifs from NBA history, including “Which Dunks Are In The Disrespectful Dunk Hall Of Fame?”. Throw in some artwork from Arturo Torres and it’s the greatest thing since Big Red soda.
 


Topshelf Records’ Pins + Beanies
$5.00+ at Topshelf Records

The San Diego via Boston label is big on indie bands (see Prawn, Teen Daze) and beanies, but their pins are worth digging into thanks to designs from the likes of Flower Chainz and Lost Lust Supply.
 


truLOCAL Subscription Box
$99.99+ at truLOCAL

truLOCAL’s monthly meat deliveries aren’t for the faint of the heart. Instead, they’re for the BBQ dads and full-time carnivores you adore as their custom plans and holiday boxes pile on locally sourced cuts that don’t stiff you on taste or convenience. But fair warning: their Ontario Turkey Bacon will end you.
 


Urban Outfitters Cassette Tapes
$11.98+ at Urban Outfitters

In this Stranger Things-obsessed age, what’s very old is sparkly again and UO are bringing back tapes in a big way. Their exclusives include releases from Vince Staples, King Krule, Young Thug, Alvvays, Amine, The 1975, Kid Cudi, Princess Nokia, Circa Survive, Citizen, Turnover, Beach House, and more.
 


Vinyl Me, Please Subscription
$36.00+ at Vinyl Me, Please

Vinyl is still very much vinyl and the “Best Damn Record Club” is still one of the best damn subscription services out there. Each tier comes with original art prints and custom cocktail recipes, and this year’s exclusives have included LPs from the likes of Gorillaz, Fiona Apple, Miles Davis, and Notorious B.I.G.
 


VIZIO D-Series Smart TV
$188.72+ at Amazon

VIZIO’s updated D-Series Smart HDTV line puts quality and value over price and their 24 to 55-inch displays are a top-tier option if you’re into apps and need an additional screen in your office/dorm.
 


Warren Ellis’ The Wild Storm
$21.21 at Indigo Books

The Wild Storm is a shoe-in for “Comic Of The Year” as Warren Ellis’ retelling throws you into a world full of assassins, transhuman implants, top secret space programs, and celestial entities. Vol. 1 collects issues #1-6 and is a remarkable complement to books such as Saga, Invincible, and Motor Crush.
 


Xbox One X
$599.99 at Microsoft Store

Microsoft’s latest 1TB console geeks out on 4K specs, but it’s worth owning if you still need to make the jump to next-gen hardware. Plus, their holiday bundles are totally worth taking advantage of as this year’s super limited edition Xbox One S Minecraft console looks like it came straight out of Sky Factory.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *