Gifts for music lovers in Canada

Listener or player

Music lovers mostly listen or mostly play. A shelf of records points to speakers or a cleaning brush. A guitar on a stand points to a practice amp. A laptop full of half-finished songs points to a mini keyboard.

For a vinyl listener

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X is an easy first deck, but it needs something to play through. Kanto's Yu4 speakers have a phono preamp built in, so the two make a complete system with nothing else to buy. Kanto also makes a record and stylus brush, a cheap add-on for anyone who has just started buying records.

For desk listening, Kanto's Ora speakers are a big step up from a laptop. The Bluesound Pulse Flex suits someone who wants streaming in the kitchen now and more rooms later.

For a player

For a first instrument, the Kala KA-15S is a well-regarded mahogany ukulele, and the Ukadelic is a cheaper, brighter option for a child. Neither comes with a tuner. The Beaver Creek kalimba is the cheapest way to get someone playing a tune tonight.

For a guitarist who already plays, a small amp lets them practise quietly. The BOSS Katana Mini has more voices and a headphone output; the Fender Mini Deluxe is a cheaper desk toy that cannot keep up with a band. The Yamaha mini keyboard suits a teen making beats on a laptop, not piano lessons.

Headphones, speakers and timing

For a commuter, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra has the best noise cancelling here. For home recording, wired ATH-M50x headphones. For the cottage or a backyard, the Bose SoundLink Flex handles dust and dunking, and the Marshall Emberton III looks better on a shelf.

Big-brand prices differ a lot between Canada and the US, so check the Canadian shop page rather than converting. Order by early December; the Apple Gift Card is the only pick that arrives by email.

Questions people ask

What do you get a music lover who has everything?

Look for the maintenance gear and small tools they never buy for themselves. A vinyl collector rarely owns a proper record cleaning machine. A guitarist always needs more picks and a spare tuner. A regular concert-goer may not have proper earplugs. For a listener with a good setup, a gift card toward streaming or new music lets them pick.

Is a turntable a good gift for a beginner?

Yes, if you also check what they will plug it into. An entry-level model like the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X has a built-in preamp but no speakers, so it needs powered speakers or a stereo. If they have neither, add powered speakers with a phono input, or choose an all-in-one player with speakers built in.

What is a good first instrument to give an adult?

A soprano ukulele or a 17-key kalimba. Both are cheap enough that it does not matter if they stall, and both let a beginner play a simple tune within days. Add a clip-on tuner to a ukulele, since new strings drift out of tune often for the first week, and the kit rarely includes one.

What are good stocking stuffers for a guitarist?

A pack of picks, a clip-on tuner, a capo that fits their guitar, or a notebook for lyrics and chord ideas. Picks get lost all the time, so they are always used. Check the capo type: acoustic, electric and classical necks differ, and a capo for the wrong neck will not sit properly.