Awesome Gifts for Drummers: 5 Inexpensive Ideas They'll Actually Use

Are you wondering what to get your favorite drummer this Christmas? Do you want to get them something they'll actually use? Well, this article will give you 5 awesome gift ideas that your drummer is going to love!

Let's get to it!

Create Your Own Drumstick Variety Pack

Put together a variety of drumsticks to experiment with. I recommend 3 pairs that are very different. Drummers go through a ton of drumsticks and typically stick with one type that they are comfortable with, but we (drummers) like to experiment with new sticks. Honestly, this is how I eventually settled on my favorite pair of sticks (Innovative Percussion IP-HB). Here are the three types of sticks I recommend getting.

1. Signature Model Sticks: Choose the signature sticks of their favorite drummer, your favorite drummer, or a pair that you think looks cool.

2. Standard drumsticks (7a, 5a, 2b, etc.), but using different types of wood. Most drumsticks are made from hickory; so, get them oak or maple drumsticks.

3. Epic Looking Drumsticks: Find sticks that you think look awesome, such as ProMark's FireGrain ($20), Zildjian DIP ($16), or Vic Firth "Vic Grip" ($16).

   ProMark FireGrain https://amzn.to/48p2HU9.

   Zildjian DIP (Green): https://amzn.to/4rIFi94

   Vic Firth "Vic Grip": https://amzn.to/48lcM4h

In all cases, be sure to use "name brand" drum sticks, which means one of the major drumstick manufacturers. This ensures the sticks are high quality and will feel right. My go to is always Innovative Percussion, but ProMark, Vic Firth, Vater, Regal Tip, and Zildjian are all solid brands too ($10-$20 each).

Buy a Drum Tool or Drum Keys

One of the coolest drum gifts I received from a friend was the Pearl Drummer's Tech Tool. It was a great gift because I use it all the time. Seriously, I use it everyday, but I work in the music industry. It has a drum key, which I use everyday. Plus, Allen keys, flathead, and phillips screwdrivers. It also fits in my stick bag, which is great.

Here is a link to the Pearl Drummer's Tech Tool ($23): https://amzn.to/4ioWpIw

Get Them An Effect Stack

This one can get a little spendy, but it is worth mentioning if you have a few extra bucks in your budget. One element on the drum kit that never gets old are metal/cymbals stacks. This includes the Pearl Anarchy Crasher ($79), Reverie K-Stack ($99), Meinl HCS Trash Stack ($93), Zildjian FX Stack ($195), and so on.

Check out one of my favorite effects from a small American drum company Reverie Drums: https://reveriedrums.com/shop/p/k-stack-v2

Colored Cymbal Felts Make Great Stocking Stuffers

One thing that will make your drummers set look super cool is colored cymbal felts. Yes, changing the color of cymbal felts is a thing and it gives the drum kit a little more personality. So, getting a few packs of cymbal felts in their favorite color or a few different colors is a great gift idea. Plus, drummers lose felts all the time; so, we can never have too many. Likewise, felts get worn down often and new felts is always a bonus.

Personally, I like the Cympad felts, as they look awesome, come in a ton of colors, and provide maximum cymbal resonance.

Here are the cymbal felts I like by Cympad ($10), but there are many options: https://amzn.to/3M0sLxp

Drum Swag: A Gift They Can Wear

If you know the drum, cymbal, or stick brands you drummer likes, then I suggest getting some swag. Every drum company has shirts, hats, hoodies, beanies, and other wearables that are guaranteed to be a hit. Some of the most common brands drummers use are Zildjian, Sabian, Ludwig, Tama, Gretsch, Pearl, Mapex, DW, Innovative Percussion, Vic Firth, Promark, Remo, Evans, and so on.

Of course, my favorite swag is the Tactical Drumming Hoodie, which can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/3KidYxy

Here is a video that some additional info. Also, I would like to wish you and your drummer a Merry Christmas.

GET MORE

For more drum grooves, check out Tactical Drumming: Groove Survival Guide, which will show you a number of shuffle variations and other grooves. This can be found at https://tacticaldrumming.com or on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3Qr56pN

By John Owens, Ph.D (Author, Drummer Educator). For John's bio go to https://tacticaldrumming.com