Many are looking for gifts for the creative person in their life and this year you might be looking to shop differently.
Gift Certificates
This might sound like a no brainer but I know from experience that gift certificates to a music store is always appreciated. Bonus points if you know your creative person’s favourite music store. Many musicians are unable to perform and/or attend concerts right now but you can still get them gift certificates for concert tickets, subscriptions or an IOU (if you need a last minute gift).
Donate on Their Behalf
As previously mentioned many musicians and arts organizations are struggling during this time and you can help. If you know someone who values arts organizations they will appreciated knowing that they helped keep those groups afloat so when we can go to events again, they are there to organize them for us.
Books/Magazines
There are many interesting fiction and non fiction books that your creative will enjoy including performance practice, technique and biographies. If you’re unsure you can go the safe route and go for a gift certificate and this year consider a local bookstore. For the gift that keeps giving year round there are magazine subscriptions for every instrument. The International Clarinet Association puts out a journal with their membership fees, either in print or online.
Fancy blank notebooks are great for practice journals or books with manuscript paper for your local composer. (Protip you might even consider making these yourself for an extra personal touch).
Lessons
Giving a lesson, yes even if it’s a one off, can help encourage your creative and change their perspective. Whatever playing level they are at there is always more to learn and get excited about.
Time and Encouragement
Many creative have had a challenging time the past few months and like many others need some encouragement now and then. This gift will look different for everyone. If your creative is feeling overwhelmed they might really appreciate just having the time and space to practice their craft. You can offer to take care of the dishes while they go practice, take care of something that is on their plate so they don’t have to.
Offer to listen to them perform or bounce ideas off of, sometimes it can feel intimidating to ask someone to be a sounding board. If you are also a creative offer to have a digital meet up so you can both share what you’ve been working on.
It can also just be as simple as writing a message of encouragement telling them you appreciate what they do and are looking forward to a time when you can see their work (and them) again.
I hope some of these suggestions will give you some inspiration. Do you have any other ideas? Share them below!
