Here are a few more ideas to add to the list that was started last week. Hopefully this will help you think of a few more good things to give or get for the holidays, and maybe an idea for a song or two.
USE YOUR SENSES
The same senses that let you write great lyrics and music can also help you be a better gift giver and getter. When you go to a friend or relative's home, what is the first thing you tend to notice? Chances are it is some smell, good or bad, or the basic look of the place. If the place smells great, there is probably a reason, and that means they have a favorite potpourri or air freshener, and it's easy to make up a small basket of goodies that they could use for that, especially if that thing is spices they like to cook with. If you notice their home is usually trashed, perhaps you could give them a little "gift certificate" that promises to be their maid for a day. If you notice the music that is being played, try writing a song in that genre, even if it is not one you know well, and give yourself the gift of learning a new style to write in. If you really love a fellow musician's style, perhaps you could drop a hint that they could give them a lyric to use, a lesson, or some studio time on a demo as their gift to you-if they are a fellow starving musician, they might welcome a chance to give a nice gift as well as know that their talent is appreciated. You might consider giving a gift of such yourself, and perhaps create a nice "gift certificate" again explaining what you are giving and wrapping it nicely.
EVERYONE EATS
Food is usually welcome, too, even if it is just fast food gift certificates, and you might let folks know that you'd appreciate even these, especially if you or they like to travel to play or write a lot, or know you or they have a lot of writing or studio time coming up and know you probably won't want to spend a lot of time cooking. I've found that many folks don't eat enough fruit, either, but would if it was right in front of them-a trip to the grocery store for some of their favorites will probably be welcome, especially if it is a regional favorite. Dried fruit is a great snack to take anywhere, even while traveling., as are nuts, and both are pretty good for you.-try making a mix of your own to hand out this season. If folks you know have fruit trees or veggies in excess, you might hint that they would make great gifts, and give people you know probably a welcome way to rid themselves of too much of a good thing, but knock you off their gift list at the same time. We musicians tend to not eat very well in the first place, so helping each other out with even this simple thing keeps everyone more healthy and happy during a time of year when many of us could use good nutrition so we don't miss important gigs or much needed time off. For that matter, a bottle of multivitamins is a good gift anytime, to most anyone, and B-complex is something most of us stressed out musicians burn off in excess, too, and would be great even for someone who already has regular vitamins.
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