| Have you ever met anyone who can honestly say | | | | dream (and rather expensive) present, but you can |
| that they hate music? From heavy metal through | | | | expect to kiss goodbye to your 'Silent Nights' and |
| classical to laidback easy listening jazz, everyone has | | | | wake up with a headache resembling a killer hangover |
| their favourite types of music, bands and artists so | | | | after the office party if the Christmas Gifts are well |
| why can it be such a challenge to find musically | | | | used. Perhaps the aspiring rock star may instead be |
| themed Christmas Gifts? | | | | grateful to receive a personalised music legend |
| Discounting the cheap teddy (oh-so-readily available) | | | | calendar where they can finally see their name in |
| that blares out Jingle Bells when you squeeze its | | | | lights. For the chance to become a true star and top |
| paw, and for some reason you can never find the | | | | the charts, you could give someone a voucher for a |
| replacement batteries for, when it's worn out by the | | | | session in a professional recording studio. Everyone's |
| second of December, and rejecting the 'Christmas | | | | got to start somewhere! |
| Hits' album, usually free with your Sunday newspaper | | | | For those who already have a record collection to |
| (and to be honest that would be a present worthy | | | | rival a large music store, maybe consider practical |
| of Scrooge anyway!), what sort of Christmas Gifts | | | | Christmas Gifts such as A-Z CD dividers, to organise |
| can you bestow upon the music fanatic, young or | | | | their music and to enable them to find that dusty, |
| old? | | | | forgotten album easily and quickly. |
| Of course, there's always the option of the traditional | | | | For Gifts that are thoughtful and personal, perhaps |
| CD, where the good, the bad and the ugly (Bob the | | | | consider a shared experience, for example tickets to |
| Builder anyone?) are whisked off the supermarket | | | | a gig or a concert. Following the recent TV trend of |
| shelf in the inevitable scramble for Gifts and | | | | shows such as 'Strictly Come Dancing' and 'Any |
| presented to wary recipients. But let's face it, unless | | | | Dream Will Do' a dancing lesson or theatre break |
| the CD is a perfect choice, it could end up in the | | | | would make excellent and unforgettable Christmas |
| jumble sale box of unwanted Christmas Gifts by New | | | | Gifts. Alternatively, it is now possible to select any |
| Year's Day. | | | | number one record and to set it in a personalised |
| So what are the alternatives? Tired of traipsing round | | | | plaque that can be hung up on the wall as a unique |
| old record shops looking for musical Gifts amidst | | | | and individual present. |
| crowds of angry shoppers, and ready to give the | | | | However, it's important to remember not to get too |
| next person who elbows you in the back a red nose | | | | stressed by the frantic rush of buying last minute |
| to rival Rudolph's, then it is possible to opt for more | | | | Gifts and to enjoy yourself and relax over the |
| original Christmas Gifts. The humble mix tape, often | | | | festive season. Maybe take some 'me-time' and treat |
| forgotten and overlooked in today's digital era, has | | | | yourself to a calming, chill-out CD and a glass of |
| been revived in the novel form of a USB stick hidden | | | | mulled wine as you put your feet up (or even as you |
| in a cassette shape (a USB Mix Tape); same old | | | | wrap the Christmas Gifts). The perfect musical |
| personal and sentimental value but modern and | | | | indulgence! |
| innovative. For the party animal who loves their music | | | | Music is such an essential part of Christmas; children |
| loud, maybe some ice cubes shaped like electric | | | | chanting 'Away in a Manger' in the annual Nativity |
| guitars and music notes, and some ear plugs for the | | | | tableau, carol singers in the street and 'Fairytale of |
| neighbours!? | | | | New York' on repeat in every shop in town. Musical |
| The teenager that may scorn CDs as out-dated | | | | Gifts make brilliant presents and with such an array |
| technology could appreciate the more fashionable | | | | of musical books, posters, CDs, DVDs, t-shirts, sheet |
| Gifts such as the extensive range of iPod and mp3 | | | | music, gig tickets, theatre tickets, concert tickets and |
| player accessories that are now available. | | | | even musically themed cufflinks on the internet and |
| Then there's the option of Christmas Gifts that | | | | on the High Street there are bound to be some |
| inspire musical creativity for the owner. An electric | | | | Christmas Gifts to suit even the fussiest musical |
| guitar, a keyboard, or a set of drums could be a | | | | enthusiast this festive season. |