It's shopping time.
Yes the holidays are approaching and that means searching for the perfect gift to give the musician in your life. Here are some things we're hoping to receive:
![Blue Snowball](http://245581.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/245581/file-300411457.jpg)
$99 on Musician's Friend and at Guitar Center
It's hard to find a cheaper or a simpler solution to home recording than the Blue Snowball. This little sucker plugs directly into a USB 2.0 port and works with Mac or PC recording software.
You won't find the same fidelity as a high-end recording setup, but it comes in three colors and includes a fold-out tripod!
For that price, it's a great choice for recording an acoustic guitar, laying down some quick vocals or capturing notes. It's also the only item on this list that would roll reliably downhill.
![CM87S](http://245581.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/245581/file-299764471.jpg)
$99.00 on Carvin.com
While not quite as plug-and-play as the snowball, this condenser microphone is a steal for 100 bones. It's multi-purpose and runs on phantom power, so it's a solid choice for drum work, backup vocals or to mic your favorite amp.
Just check out all these fancy terms Carvin uses to describe the CM87S: "cardioid pattern with a gold sputtered, 6 micron element and premium noiseless FET electronics" and "A max SPL of 135dB (145dB with 10dB pad switch on)".
WTF?!
![Harmonium](http://245581.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/245581/file-300408122.jpg)
$374.25 on Amazon.com
From The Decemberists to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, every small town band in the universe has utilized the unique "organ in a box" stylizings of a harmonium.
And that is a fact, so don't look it up and do not email me information to the contrary.
Instead, think about what your tunes would sound like with the soft, soothing drones of a harmonium behind it.
Or if you're particularly creative, you can work the harmonium into everyday conversation. Sometimes nouns and verbs are simply inefficient and what you really need is a hand-pumped reed organ. Especially at the breakfast table.
![Sur Bahar](http://245581.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/245581/file-298873643.jpg)
$1,004.25 on Amazon.com
If you're looking to add a truly unique sound to your compositions, look no farther than a Surbahar, also known as a bass sitar.
Especially popular in the realm of Indian classical, the surbahar's sounds dig at your soul like a hungry marmoset. The skill demonstrated in a single surbahar performance is also pretty awe inspiring.
Simply put, as dried gourd-based instruments go, this thing is a babe magnet.
What are you hoping to receive this holiday season?