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It’s that time of year again, when the holiday season sneaks up on us and suddenly everyone’s scrambling to find presents that say “I know you” instead of “I panic-bought this on Dec. 23.”
But this year, we’re getting ahead of the curve with our Hanukkah and Christmas gifts, and treating holiday shopping like a well-produced album rollout: thoughtful, strategic and ideally free of last-minute scrambling.
The key is to shop for the person, not just the occasion. Got a friend who shreds on guitar? Official Fender-inspired candles might just hit the right note. A sister with a budding music career? Get her a wireless microphone that connects to a mobile studio app. And for the cousin who’s a suit by day and a headbanger by night, Ticketmaster, StubHub and Vivid Seats offer e-gift cards to help fund their next concert. From $10 stocking stuffers to $400 tech, we scoured the internet to find Hanukkah and Christmas gifts music lovers will actually want, so you can skip the research rabbit hole and get straight to the good part: hitting that “buy” button.
’80S-INSPIRED SPEAKER
Bumpboxx Retroboom Speaker
Bring the ’80s back with this bold boombox, which packs 200W peak power, booming bass and reactive RGB lights into one seriously retro package. It offers up to 30 hours of playtime, a wireless microphone and water resistance for parties on the beach. Choose from colors Onyx Black, Classic Silver or Radical Red.
PUZZLE
Music Cats 500 Piece Family Puzzle
Cat people and music lovers, this one’s for you. Mudpuppy’s 500-piece puzzle reimagines legendary musicians as feline superstars, including Prince, Dolly Parton and The Notorious C.A.T. It’s a playful family activity for ages 8 and up, with recycled paper puzzle pieces and packaging that make the gift even more appealing.
TRIVIA
Misunderstood Songs Trivia Game
200+ Bought in the Past
Think you know every lyric to your favorite songs? Think again. I’ve played this game and approve, but be warned: These hilariously misheard lyrics will stump even the biggest music buffs. With 300 cards and competitive or casual gameplay for two to eight players, it’s a guaranteed party starter.
CD PLAYER
Rechargeable Portable CD Player with Dual Stereo Speakers
#1 New Release
Yes, CD players are now a No. 1 in the New Release categories, and we’re not complaining about the format’s resurgence. This rechargeable player features built-in speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone jack for listening in private. It also plays MP3s from USB drives and comes in cream, white, black, green, pink or purple.
BOOK
‘Karma Is Three Cats: Life According to Taylor Swift’s Kitty Best Friends’
For Swifties and cat lovers, this charming picture book tells Taylor Swift’s story through the eyes of her three beloved cats: Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button. Beautifully illustrated and full of the sass you’d expect from Swift’s feline entourage, it’s a sweet gift for young readers and a fun collectible for fans of the pop superstar.
KARAOKE
Adult Karaoke Machine with 2 Wireless Microphones
#1 Bestseller
A bestseller with 2,000 purchases on Amazon in the past month, this karaoke machine features 200W sound, two wireless microphones, pitch correction and Bluetooth 5.3. It also connects to a compatible TV for displaying lyrics and offers up to 24 hours of battery life.
RECORD PLAYER
Victrola Journey Bluetooth Suitcase Record Player
400+ Bought in the Past Month
I own this Victrola record player in black, but it comes in 12 colors. The fact that it looks like a stylish briefcase means it acts as cute home décor too. It plays vinyl at three speeds and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker for streaming music from your phone. Trust me, Adéla’s “Nicole Kidman” sounds especially good through its old-school speaker.
CANDLES
Fender Three Chord Candle Gift Set
Set of 3
Give your favorite guitar hero a gift that smells as good as it looks. Inspired by Fender guitars, these Voluspa candles feature decorative jars with a distinctive guitar pick on the front. The three-candle set includes Vanilla Voltage, Strawberry Rush and Midnight Leather, though each scent is also available to purchase individually.
HEADPHONES
Noise-Canceling Nothing Headphone (1) Pro
1K Bought in the Past Month
Designed for serious listening, Nothing’s Headphone (1) Pro features a triple-driver system, adaptive noise cancellation, and up to 68 hours of playback. BTS’ V and Nothing ambassador modeled the headphones, saying, “Headphone (1) Pro is a design grounded in creative expression, and I look forward to our journey together.” Shop them in black or white.
EARPHONES
JLab’s Wireless Earbuds
Budget-Friendly Editor Pick
Need a budget-friendly set of earphones for someone who’s always listening to music? JLab’s Go Air Pop earbuds deliver more than 32 hours of total playtime, three EQ sound settings and a charging case with a built-in USB cable. They’re sweat-resistant for workouts and available in black, lilac, mint, pink, slate, teal and pony colors.
MUSICIAN’S SPEAKER
Fender Audio Elie 6 Bluetooth Speaker
Fender’s Elie 6 brings the brand’s iconic musical heritage to a portable Bluetooth speaker with 60W of power, spatial audio and four input channels for instruments and microphones. I especially love that it has three listening modes, including Multi-Mode, which connects up to 100 compatible speakers. Available in black or white, it’s built for musicians and music fans alike.
EARPLUGS
Loop Switch 2 Adjustable Earplugs – 3 Modes
5K Bought in the Past Month
I swear by my Loop earplugs for concerts and music festivals because I can still hear the music clearly while protecting my eardrums at the same time — nobody’s invincible when it comes to hearing damage. I even wear mine during loud construction work outside my window. The Loop Switch 2 offers three adjustable noise-reduction modes in six colors.
COLORING BOOK
The Unofficial Chappell Roan Coloring Book
For the Midwest Princess fan who loves a creative outlet, this unofficial Chappell Roan coloring book features more than 20 hand-drawn illustrations celebrating her bold fashion, music and personality. Packed with trivia and fun facts about the pop star, it’s best enjoyed with your brightest gel pens, sparkly supplies and favorite Chappell Roan hits playing in the background.
SPEAKER
Denon Home 200
The Denon Home 200 delivers immersive stereo sound in a sleek speaker. I’m a big fan of its HEOS app, which lets you connect multiple compatible speakers throughout your home for a more surround-sound listening experience. It’s ideal for hosting a party.
HUNTR/X NAIL SET
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Press-On Nail Set & Polish
Give a HUNTR/X fan the ultimate at-home manicure kit inspired by KPop Demon Hunters. This set includes five styles of gel press-on nails featuring HUNTR/X-inspired colors and logos, three nail care polishes representing Rumi, Mira and Zoey plus a magnetic stick for creating a trendy “cat-eye” or velvet effect. For a more budget-friendly gift, shop the products individually or in duo and trio packs.
RECORD PLAYER
Tiny Vinyl Player
I have one of these quirky little players myself, and it’s a dream gift for novelty collectors and music lovers short on space. The compact turntable plays Tiny Vinyl records through built-in stereo speakers or connects to external speakers and headphones. Miniature records are sold separately.
PARTY GAME
Jumbo Hitster: The Music Game
10K Bought in the Past Month
With more than 10,000 sold on Amazon each month and over 50 purchased daily at Walmart, Hitster is a popular pick for music lovers. Players scan QR codes to listen to more than 300 iconic hits and guess the year each song was released. Multiple game modes make it a fun option for family game nights or parties with friends.
MICROPHONE
Audigo Wireless Microphone and Mobile Studio App
100+ Bought in the Past Month
When American Idol winner Hannah Harper records songs for Instagram and TikTok, she uses Audigo, a wireless microphone that fits in the palm of her hand. Available on Amazon for the first time this holiday season, it pairs with a free iOS or Android app to record, mix and sync high-quality audio with video.
PARTY GAME
Incohearent: Guess the Gibberish Party Game
3K Bought in the Past Month
I own Incohearent and can confirm it’s hilarious. While not exclusively music themed, its 300 cards span pop culture, party and spicy references, including gibberish song lyrics that are nearly impossible to decipher. Players race to decode phrases before time runs out, making this viral party game a fun pick for adult game nights.
CONCERT TICKETS
Ticketmaster Gift Card
For the music lover who’d rather make memories than unwrap another thing, a Ticketmaster gift card lets them choose their next live experience. With amounts ranging from $50 to $1,000, it’s suitable for concerts, festivals, theater and more. Choose an e-gift, physical card or print-at-home option for an easy Christmas present.
CONCERT TICKETS
StubHub Gift Card
A StubHub gift card is available in amounts from $25 to $200, and can be sent electronically or printed at home. They’re also available in bulk, making them a practical holiday gift for employees. StubHub is a popular alternative for buying cheap concert tickets, so your recipient may be able to enjoy more than one concert from your gift card.
CONCERT TICKETS
Vivid Seats Gift Card
A Vivid Seats e-gift card lets your loved one choose from concerts, theater, comedy and sporting events. Available in amounts from $5 to $1,000, it’s emailed directly to the recipient, making it an easy last-minute gift idea.
Shopping Holidays Leading Up to December With the Best Deals
The holiday shopping season brings plenty of opportunities to save on gifts. Like Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals in November, knowing when to shop can help you find the best prices without the last-minute stress. Keep an eye on seasonal sales, compare discounts across retailers and shop early for popular items. As December approaches, pay attention to shipping deadlines to ensure gifts arrive in time.
- Nov. 27, Black Friday: Shop by Nov. 27 for the main event deals, with many discounts available earlier in November.
- Nov. 28, Small Business Saturday: Shop by Nov. 28 for participating small-business promotions and limited-stock gifts.
- Nov. 30, Cyber Monday: Shop by Nov. 30 for the main online deals, which some retailers extend into December.
- Dec. 14, Green Monday: A day historically known for its last-minute shopping rush, shop on Dec. 14 for the main online sales and potential last-minute holiday discounts.
- Dec. 19, Super Saturday: As the last Saturday before Christmas Day, shop on Dec. 19 for last-minute deals and gifts.
- Dec. 26, Boxing Day: Shop on Dec. 26 for post-Christmas clearance sales, which often continue into January.
Sophie Dunne is an e-commerce writer at Penske Media Corporation, writing across Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, WWD, and Footwear News. Originally from Ireland and based in Los Angeles, she previously worked at Static Media as a writer and editor, covering entertainment, lifestyle, fashion, and travel. Her bylines have appeared in Women’s Health, The List, Women.com, Islands, Grunge, WebMD, and more. Before beginning her writing career in 2019, Sophie lived in Dubai for four years working as an Emirates cabin crew member. Having traveled to 71 countries with the airline, she began writing for an LA-based publication as a travel writer during her final year. Sophie has a degree in Humanities from Carlow College, St. Patrick’s (now South East Technological University) in her native Ireland. She studied English, history, philosophy, and psychology. Sophie mostly reports on entertainment merchandise and celebrity brand partnerships.
