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Gifts for the Discriminating Flautist

© Karen Stafford

Uh, oh. December's sneaking in. You have a flautist in your house. Or, you're a teacher in search of great gifts for your students. Or, you're the flautist yourself and want just about anything that has to do with your favorite instrument! Make this a special Christmas or Hannukah this year. There's lots of stuff available in just about any price range that can make a flute player really happy, and much of it can be purchased online!

If you're a teacher with several students to purchase for, or got a flutist as a Secret Pal, there are still nice, unique presents that a flutist would be glad to have. Several music gift catalogs (and even those that sell instruments) have just the thing. (Links and addresses to these companies are included at the end of this article.) Some ideas:
Musically-shaped cookies (many of these catalogs sell cookie cutters)
Flute playing "fun" figurines, including frogs, wizards, and more!
Stationary with a flute logo, plus a personalized heading. Or, how about a self-inking stamper to label music?
A really cool pen with "gliding" hands that makes it looks as if the hands are playing the flute keys?

Here are some ideas that cost a little bit more, but still reasonable and quite affordable, if you have one to buy for:

A recording of a favorite flautist?
How about sheet music? There are some great arrangements in just about any style a flutist could want, including pop and religious, in a variety of difficulty levels. A copy of a music festival piece is also a good idea (better check with the teacher first, though!) Or, some great books on flutes, flute players, flute care, flute literature.....(links below!)
Something that I ran across and just HAD to have (and got it at good old Wal-Mart): a watch with a picture of Tweety Bird playing the flute. I'm willing to bet that you can find this at your Wal-Mart or any other department-type store. I just love it. Added bonus: push the button, and it plays the Looney Tunes theme. Of course, I've always identified with Tweety, seeing that we're both blondes.

OK, but I digress. Something else that's great for the serious flutist: his/her own subscription to either Flute Talk or Flutewise, both great, informative magazines on flute playing, with contributions by some of the most distinguished and respected performers and teachers on the flute "scene."

Another helpful and practical idea: flute cleaning kits and mini-repair kits. You can include spare cleaning cloths, cigarette paper (to clean pads, I promise!), a flute polishing cloth, pipe cleaners or small sewing machine brush (to clean between the rods), a small crochet hook (to pop springs back into place), and a small jeweler's screwdriver.