Christmas is just around the corner.

It’s been another year in the pandemic – strange, unpredictable and perhaps Christmas isn’t guaranteed either. Perhaps you’re fielding several texts from your friends right now, who’ve all tested positive for Coronavirus. Maybe you’re currently in isolation. Or getting that booster jab.

Whatever your situation is over the Christmas holidays, bring some seasonal cheer to your friends and family with these gifts. Not just any gift though; like we said, it’s potentially been a tough year, so put some effort in. If you’re feeling lost on how to impress the music fans in your life – the ones who didn’t really say anything when you showed them your Spotify Wrapped – no sweat, we’ve got your back.

01

aya’s im hole book

£24.99

Did your friend love aya’s debut album, im hole, this year? Us too. Be sure to add this rather special book to your basket. The cloth-bound title – a physical version of the aforementioned record – was designed in collaboration with Oliver van der Lugt (a.k.a Air Max ‘97) and features a collection of lyrics, poetry and photographs. Beautiful inside and out. 

02

Pioneer’s DDJ-FLX6 controller

£539

Sorted your stocking fillers, but still stuck on a main gift for the dance music lover in your life? This is the ticket. Designed with bedroom DJs and at-home selectors in mind, Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-FLX6 controller boasts four channels and full-sized jog wheels – plus compatibility with rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro. It also comes equipped with a feature called MergeFX, which allows for easy transitions between genres. 

03

Arca’s gaming mousepad

$50

Levels of gaming shot up from the very first lockdown – remember Animal Crossing? If your loved one decided to turn their back on IRL life and chose gaming instead, we’d understand. Perhaps add some chic to their setup with Arca’s gaming mousepad, which comes in five different colourways.

04

Grove's Spice fragrance

£17

Spice – the new “DIY experimental fragrance” from Bristol-based producer and DJ Grove has been described as a “warm, spiced chai scent for bad bitches”. Sounds delicious, right? And if that’s not compelling enough, each purchase includes a free download of Grove’s latest EP – also called Spice. Buy for the bad bitches in your life.

05

The Herball’s Black Ark Perfume

£85

This Lee “Scratch” Perry-inspired perfume is considerably less DIY, and located more in the high-end bracket of the market. Based on Perry’s Black Ark Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, the perfume contains “bass bin woody notes, vibrant florals and heady hints of smoke” and is “bottled by hand with vibrations” from the studio. Priced at £85 for 3ml, this truly is a touch of luxury.

06

Kacey Musgraves’ broken heart pendant

£75

Another lockdown relationship sunken in the waters? While pandemic proposals continue to fill our feeds? Show your friend you care. In fact, show some solidarity and get them Kacey Musgraves’ gold-plated broken heart pendant. Alternatively, there’s also the tear-shaped stick-on rhinestones.

07

AIAIAI's TMA-2 Move Wireless headphones

£200

Travelling isn’t something many did much of in 2021 – but that doesn’t mean we didn’t get out and about. These wireless headphones from Danish audio company AIAIAI are the perfect accompaniment to outdoor strolls, with both Move models – the TMA-2 Move Wireless and the TMA-2 Move XE Wireless – offering 40 hours of battery life and studio-quality sound without the need to be in a studio. 

08

Radiohead’s Kid A Amnesia tea set

£185

We all have a Radiohead fan in our lives. We all know a number of tea drinkers, too. This fine bone china tea set – comprised of a branded teapot, two teacups and saucers – would be an excellent gift for either party. (A note: this one’s currently on pre-order only. Fingers crossed your lucky recipients are content with just the order confirmations on the big day itself.)

09

Lil Nas X's Montero robe

$90

Someone’s got to look fabulous on Christmas day. This is the look.

10

anu's I'm not busy, but I'm not free zine

£15

In case you didn’t know, London-based DJ and broadcaster anu is also a skilful illustrator – one who’s whipped up some of our favourite party flyers and NTS radio show artworks in the past. Now, she’s released her first zine, I’m not busy, but I’m not free, which offers a fusion of comics and artwork themed around “music, club culture & general silliness”. A winning combo.

11

Lana Del Rey’s apothecary candle

£31

2021 was a quite a year for Lana Del Rey. The US star celebrated the tenth anniversary of her breakthrough single Video Games, was awarded Variety’s Artist of the Decade, and even treated us to two new albums: Blue Banisters and Chemtrails Over the Country Club. LDR dropped a number of merch goodies to coincide with the release of the former, with this apothecary candle our pick of the bunch.

12

Maxo Kream's grinder

$18

Logomania was a real trend this year in fashion – one that stretched over into the music biz, too, with some of our favourite artists stamping their wares with distinctive designs and typefaces. This grinder from Houston rapper Maxo Kream is a shining example.

Sennheiser HD 25 headphones
13

Sennheiser HD25 headphones

£129

A set of headphones that’s designed for selectors. The Sennheiser HD25 set performs well in a loud environment, and comes paired with a lightweight design, and sturdy construction. An industry standard pair of headphones, for a lot less at £129.

14

Crack Magazine subscription

£6

A gift that’ll keep on giving – 12 times a year, and delivered straight to someone’s door. Reminder: the music fan in your life will be able to enjoy this present on 12 separate occasions in 2022. For even the most discerning of music fans, this is guaranteed to impress them at least once. Purchase this via our subscriptions page, and be sure to check out our online store too – where you can add the cherry on top, by buying your friend an A1 print of their favourite cover.

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