Folk Music Stocking Stuffers

For people like me that are terrible at harmonica, but still want to have some intstrument to carry around everywhere, a kazoo is the way to go. It's not just for clowns and children, either. It's a great instrument to just have fun and be silly with, granted, but I've also seen numerous artists use kazoos to make their songs that much more creative.

I like Dunlop Tortex pics because they're easy to grip and are a nice medium size and shape for people with skinny or thick fingers. Guitar players are always losing pics, too, so it's not like your folksinger friend is going to say, "Oh, I already have that!"

Speaking of guitar pics, these earrings and necklaces by Jeffrey David are really quite lovely. The trend of jewelry made out of guitar pics has been around for quite a while, but David has taken it one step further, crafting gold and silver pic-shaped jewelry. A nice gift for any music fan, really.

The great thing about harmonicas is that, aside from your own two hands and your singing voice, it's one of the most portable instruments you can find. I'm told the fact that I'm a terrible harmonica player is no indication of how easy it is to learn how to play. So, if you or your favorite folk music fan is looking for an instrument to play, this would be a great stocking stuffer.

Wintergrass is always a really good time, and is easily the largest bluegrass festival that takes place in the dead of winter. The 2008 lineup is going to be pretty incredible, featuring Bobby Osborne, The Seldom Scene, Infamous Stringdusters, Dale Ann Bradley, Cadillac Sky, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Chris Thile, and many more.