Have a friend who never travels without their violin? A son or daughter that practices cello late into the night? Or a family member who spends their weekends playing the fiddle in the park for fun? When the holidays roll around, you know you have to give them something that ties into their passion for music, but what? 

The perfect gift is thoughtful, meaningful, and memorable. It shows the recipient you pay attention to their passions (check!) and can even make their life easier and more beautiful.

Whether you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas or a way to honor a musical achievement, you’re sure to find inspiration in our best gift ideas for string musicians. 

1. Concert Tickets

This gift will surely be music to their ears…

Is there an artist or musical genre your loved one can’t get enough of? Research concerts, festivals, and performances in your recipient’s area and buy them tickets to the experience. Print the tickets and give them alongside a band t-shirt, poster, or other memorabilia. 

Take this gift idea to the next level with a gift card to a restaurant near the venue or money to travel to another state or country to see their favorite artist. Anyone up for Joshua Bell in Bologna, Italy?!

high quality carbon fiber bows

2. Music Jewelry 

Bling, bling! Who’s there? The best gift idea for a string musician who loves to accessorize and show off their instrument! Search for instrument-themed gifts for the violin, viola, or cello player in your life. This gift can be as affordable or expensive as you like, with beautiful silver options in the $20 range, to a 14K gold violin pendant for $150+. And jewelry isn’t just for women. There are plenty of masculine music-themed bracelets, rings, and necklaces, too.  

Two violin rings, one silver and one gold Woman wearing silver cello necklace
Silver and string violin bracelet Silver violin ring

3. Items for Instrument Care

Studies show that because novelty wears off but sentimentality doesn’t, people value a useful item more if they receive it as a gift than if they buy it themselves. Also, gifts should solve challenges and present solutions, not create more problems (i.e., don’t give someone a new pet without asking). So, why not give your passionate player the tools they need to take care of one of their most precious items?

Violin Cleaning Kit: Put together your own violin care kit or buy one pre-made that includes a humidity control kit, rosin, varnish cleaner/polish, string cleaner, a polish cloth, clip-on tuner, practice mute, and performance mute. 

Violin Repair Kit: Maybe your string player is also a budding luthier. Buy them a violin tool kit with everything they need to make and maintain a string instrument. You can find kits on Amazon for around $134 that include a peg reels shaver, handle reamer, tuning fork, different types of clamps, and more. 

Take either one of these musician gift ideas to the next level by delivering them in a personalized wooden gift box or leather carrying bag.

4. Instrument-Themed Clothing

Hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts, oh my! There’s music-oriented clothing for every instrument and every season. Search Amazon or Etsy for the garment of your choice. 

Take this gift to the next level by personalizing the piece of clothing with the wearer’s name, initials, or favorite music quote.  

dinosaur playing violin t shirt gift black violin sweatshirt gift
just cellin' t shirt gift gray coffee and cello sweatshirt

5. A Sturdy, Personalized Music Stand

If your advancing music player uses the same music stand they did in middle school, it might be time to help them upgrade. Nothing lasts forever! Plus, your musician never wants to stop a practice session or performance to adjust their stand. The best music stands are affordable, reliable, and easy to transport. They come in a range of colors and finishes. Choose a stand that’s wire, solid metal, or wooden. 

6. New Instrument Parts

If you’re really in tune with the musician in your life, you may have noticed parts of their violin, viola, or cello are worse for the wear. Consider buying them new strings, pegs, a chin rest, or a new bridge. You could also pay to have their bow rehaired. There’s no hard and fast rule for when to rehair a bow, but we recommend doing so every six to 12 months. 

7. New Instrument Case

A new violin, viola, or cello case is the perfect gift for a player who loves to gig! They’ll feel more confident and prepared to perform with a sharp-looking case that matches their style and protects their beloved instrument. Cases come in a range of prices and materials. There are shaped cases, fiberglass cases, hard canvas cases, and even oblong ones to tote around violin accessories easily. 

Take this gift to the next level by customizing the case’s interior and exterior to match your string musician’s style.

8. Practice Journal or Composer’s Journal

If the string musician in your life is a big fan of sticky notes, agendas, and staying focused on their goals, they might love a new practice journal! A practice journal logs the details of each practice session but goes beyond the amount of time practice. It can also include goals for the next session, what went well, what went poorly, and what you plan to work on in your next session. Download and print a beautiful one from Etsy and have the pages bound at a store like Staples or Office Depot. 

On the other hand, if your musician could use an encouraging boost to finish their next concerto, consider getting them a composer’s journal. Songwriter’s notebooks like this can be customized for the number of songs.

personalized songwriting journal

9. Personalized Page Holder, Mute, or Rosin Box

Elevate your loved one’s next practice session with a personalized music page holder, violin mute, or rosin box. While these useful gifts may not be unique or edgy, they provide value over time and would be used weekly, if not daily. 

“When givers give gifts, they’re trying to optimize on the moment they give the gift and see the smile on the recipient’s face right in that moment,” says Jeff Galak, an associate professor of marketing at the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business. “But what recipients care about is how much value they’re going to derive from that over a longer time period.” 

10. Sheet Music Carry Bag

After being toted to practice day after day, a music-carrying case can become just as tattered and worn as your gym bag! (Though hopefully not as smelly.) Keep your musician friend or loved one looking fresh with a personalized or luxurious sheet music carrying bag, like one of these bags from Cambridge Satchel. If you want to spend less and buy a canvas music-themed bag, that’s fine, too. Research has shown that while givers think spending more conveys more thoughtfulness, receivers don’t associate the price with their level of appreciation.

Perfect Presentation for the Perfect Gift

Ditch the basic box and wrapping paper. Step up the presentation to make your gift extra special! Put it inside a pinata they have to tear apart, or give a gag gift first and reveal the real one later. Or, try one of these funny wrapping ideas from Holidappy!

  • Use Christmas paper for a birthday present or vice versa
  • Shape the present into something unexpected
  • Write a humorous or heartfelt message on the wrapping paper
  • Use fabric, maps, or pages from an old book instead of traditional paper
  • Put the gift in an unusual container, like a planter or paint can
  • Send the recipient on a scavenger hunt to find the gift

Fun tricks like these help elicit emotion, form memories, and cause the recipient to attach extra value to your gift.

That’s a Wrap!

Shop for musician gifts online or at a CodaBow dealer. Many of our partners carry the gifts listed above and offer plenty more in-store. Find a CodaBow dealer near you and shop the highest quality gifts for string musicians today. Feel free to sign up on our email list for additional gift ideas. To gift the perfect bow, browse our carbon fiber bow collections. If you are wanting to experience the CodaBow difference, try an In-Home Trial today.

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