Merry holidaze to all, and to all a good shop! We’re coming at you with just another holiday gift guide, this time from the music-loving crew at your favorite local music blog. We’ve done our research and come up with 26 items sure to impress whichever friend or family member you’ve painstakingly decided to let into your pod this year.
Don’t fork your holiday bonus over to Bezos again this season. Spend it on a few niche items that most likely won’t break after 6 months, and *bonus* they actually benefit artists, from our local talents to international faves. It’s your one-stop-shop for all your capitalism-induced impulse buys!
Mannequin Pussy, MP “Princess Barbed Wire” Underwear, $10 USD
You’ve got 80 band tees, but do you have the band UNDIES? This list’s ultimate comfort buy is Mannequin Pussy’s “Princess Barbed Wire” underwear: “Unisex underwear design by Olivia Ripke. Printed on Bella Canvas. Super soft, very cute, brief style underwear.”
Palehound, Embroidery Kit, $17 USD
It is never too late to pick up a new hobby in this ever-ongoing quarantine. Put down the remote, silent your phone and just… stitch.
Sharon Van Etten, Mini Travel Alarm Clock & Tissues, $12 & $3.50
If you’ve lost all sense of time this year, the Sharon Van Etten travel alarm clock could be the perfect item to get you back on track. Or maybe you’ve got a few procrastinators in your life (don’t be afraid to look inward). Here’s your tasteful, tongue in cheek way to point out their flaws – just in time for the holidays! Round out the bundle with SVE tissues – they’ll pair nicely with ye ol’ reliable post-holiday breakdown.
PUP, “STAY AT HOME DUE TO COVID AND ALSO DEPRESSION” STARTER PACK, $105
Sweatpants, a “morbid” blanket, and socks that read “this place socks ass.” Everyone’s official 2020 uniform, perfect for showing your distaste for performative social niceties to your cats, who are pissed off that you haven’t left your house in 10 months. We’ve only been quarantining for 8…
Milk! Records, Frisbee & Scarf, $10 AUD & $30 AUD
For the pragmatic shoppers: bundle up with a cozy Milk! Records scarf. Optimistic shoppers: toss a frisbee in the cart in hopes of warmer weather! Either way, you’re getting sick merch from the iconic Aussie label founded by my two favorite ex-life partners: Courtney Barnett and Jen Cloher. Flag like you’ve never flagged before.
I Wish I Could Skateboard, Socks, $12 USD
Whoever started the rumor that socks are a terrible gift for the holidays is dead wrong. They warm your feet, they rep your favorite post-hardcore Boston bands, they come in trans colors… the list goes on, people! And when buying them means directly supporting local artists? Priceless.
Bedbug released a cute as heck shirt ahead of the holiday season to pair with their incredible new album! It was designed by local artist and friend of the pud Sami Martasian and printed by local screenprinter and friend of the pud Speakeasy Print Shop. Act fast – there are only a few left!
NOVA ONE, Engraved wooden comb $10 USD
FINALLY we’re seeing artists begin to offer a giant wooden combs again. Engraved with Providence-based dream pop artist NOVA ONE’s moniker, you can scoop yours up today, but hurry! Only a few are left.
Phoebe Bridgers, Skeleton Sweatpants & Punisher Holiday Knit Sweater, $40 & $90
Post a pic of you wearing these bone-afide fan favorite sweatpants and there’s a very good chance Bridgers herself will share it! #PhoebeOwnsthisAss. And impress your fellow music lovers at this years’ virtual ugly Christmas sweater party by donning this morbidly cute, albeit pricey, closet necessity.
Charli XCX, Planet XCX wrapping paper, $20
Charli, practical queen that she is, went with function over form for this wrapping paper (something we’re all probably gonna need in the coming weeks). My Virgo moon loves utility. Thank you, Charli!
Maggie Rogers, Holiday Gift Box, $125
Curated by the “Witchy Feminist Rockstar” herself, this collectible wooden box contains an all-purpose balm, organic coffee, two journals and a copy of Rogers’ new album on marigold vinyl.
Squirrel Flower, UV Sunglasses!! cat eye orange and white ;), $10 USD
Be super prepared for sunshine season with these UV protecting and polarized cat eye sunnies from local love Squirrel Flower. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be able to let someone within 6 feet to show off the “Sqrrl Flwr” detail on the side.
Red Shaydez, Water Bottle, $15
Stay hydrated. I’m sick of having to remind you all. If paying one of Boston’s best rappers $15 is gonna to help you do that, then cough it up, boss.
Honey Cutt, hand printed Bandana $50 USD
I initially read this as “hand-printed banana” and was impressed that we had the technology to do that. But alas, we do not, so my prayers of having a custom banana with my name on it continue go unanswered. Still, bandanas are pretty sweet!
HipStory, HipStory Dad Hat, $35
Not only will you feel like a indie king rocking this sleek cap adorned with the trademark HipStory crown, but you’ll feel comfy while you do, since the inside is lined with a soft, silky fabric that feels nice on yer head.
Anna Savage, Eco friendly vibrator (with LP / CD), €33 with LP, €25 with CD
MUSIC AND VIBRATOR? The listening experience we all want and need. Breaking shame, stigma, and barriers, Anna B Savage’s upcoming release explores female pleasure while providing us with what we need to do so 😉
The Mountain Goats, Get High and Listen to The Cure Pouch, $20
Combines several of life’s great pleasures (getting high, listening to the Cure, organization, the Mountain Goats). This is the ideal vessel for all drug paraphernalia.
Car Seat Headrest,Twin Fantasy Face Mask, $15
I! DONT! WANT! TO! GO! IN-SAAAAAAANE! I DONT WANT TO HAVE COVID-19!
Check out these limited edition toys from Pink Navel’s Dot Dev Toy Co, including King Pen, the adorable alien ruler of a bunch of penguins.
Pain.
Always buy candles because candles are sick, and every abode needs a few to cleanse aromas (i.e. you don’t want your room to stink like farts so bad), set an ambience, or just because you like fancy smells (you are worth it!). Kira is selling candles in four scents: lavender, rose, rosemary and “aura,” which is probably a reference to her EP with the same name. It definitely sounds like music you should be burning a candle to. For the vibe.
Allston-Brighton Winter Market
This year we’ve partnered again with the Harvard Ed Portal for their Allston-Brighton Winter Market. We curated a playlist of some local tunes for you to listen to while shopping through some amazing local artisans’ work!
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If you’ve still got a hankering for some sick merch (specifically involving rats, pizza, and the name Allston Pudding), hit up christine@allstonpudding.com for a super secret and exclusive offer.