The holidays are a stressful time. Buying gifts, answering endless questions from extended family about the things you’re sensitive about, feeling tired at 3pm because it’s already getting dark outside… everything about December is built to make us reach our breaking point.
I can’t help with everything, but I can help you find a solid gift for the vinyl addict in your life — or alternatively, I can help you create your own list to decrease the stress for those shopping for you!
Last year, I went all out selecting my favourite vinyl pressings of the year. This year, I wanted to do better for those that are newer to collecting. Read on to find recommendations for turntables, storage, display options… and of course, vinyl records.
The Pressings
Whether you’ve already got your ideal setup or not, you’re gonna need some new vinyl. While it’s super easy to google any album to see if there’s vinyl available, I’ve curated some of my favourite colour pressings so you won’t miss out on any exclusive pressings you may want. I’ve also divided them up by online shop so that you can plan your orders accordingly.
New Damage Records
Heavy Hearts – On A Chain EP
- Pink with black splatter pressing
- Pink with black splatter pressing but also they have a sick t-shirt
- They have a UK pressing too that’s clear with like a pink yolk (ps shipping is cheap)
- Maybe also get their debut album on purple or turquoise vinyl idk
Counterparts – You’re Not You Anymore
- Clear pressing with a t-shirt
- Pink pressing with a t-shirt
- The only pressing without a t-shirt is the black standard one
Comeback Kid – Outsider
- Orange with black & white splatter pressing
- Teal with black smoke pressing with a t-shirt and a dad hat I NEED IT ALL
Safe To Say
- Buy their Hiding Games EP on pink with purple & blue splatter (one of my all time faves)
- Or get their album Down In The Dark on bone & red split
SideOneDummy Records
I love S1D as if the label was my own family. Their artists are wonderful and the team is made up of genuinely good people. Their site is designed to bring up one vinyl product per artist, and then you can choose which pressing you want before you click “add to cart”… so be sure to pick the one you want!
Microwave – Much Love
- Two different pressings (make sure to pick the one you like before you add to cart!)
Pup – The Dream Is Over
Worriers – Survival Pop
- Two different pressings (make sure to pick the one you like before you add to cart!)
Pkew Pkew Pkew – + One
Rozwell Kid – Precious Art
- Two different pressings (make sure you pick the one you like before you add to cart!)
Amoeba Records
(shipping is free in the US!!)
Julien Baker – Turn Out The Lights
- Clear vinyl (indie store exclusive)
Citizen – As You Please
- Clear with black swirl pressing (standard pressing I think)
- Bone with purple & gold splatter pressing (indie store exclusive)
blink-182 – Enema Of The State
- Red pressing (I don’t know where this came from but I need it)
Portugal. The Man – Woodstock
- Pink pressing (10 Bands 1 Cause limited edition)
Halsey – Hopeless Fountain Kingdom
- Red & yellow splatter pressing (indie store exclusive)
Urban Outfitters
Halsey – Hopeless Fountain Kingdom
St Vincent – Masseduction
The Killers – Hot Fuss
Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory
Holiday Records
- Mariah Carey’s all-important Christmas album
- The Nightmare Before Christmas 2LP picture disc
- The ELF Soundtrack
MerchNow
Trophy Eyes – Chemical Miracle
- Tricolour (pink, blue black) pressing (I need this more than anything)
- Transparent blue pressing
Trash Boat – Nothing I Write You Can Change What You’ve Been Through
Can’t Swim – Fail You Again
Waterparks – Double Dare
- Clear/pink with purple splatter pressing
- You can also preorder Entertainment while you’re there!
Speak Low If You Speak Love – Nearsighted
Yellowcard – Ocean Avenue (Acoustic)
Knocked Loose – Laugh Tracks
The Gospel Youth – Always Lose
Grayscale – Adornment
Bearings – Nothing Here Is Permanent
Seaway – Vacation
Counterparts – You’re Not You Anymore
Turntables
Crosley
I know. It’s me, Satan, writing to you about hell’s gift to the vinyl community. Except I’ve had a Crosley for a few years now and I’ve never actually had any issues with it. I’ve preemptively said “maybe get a different turntable” to anyone who’s asked in case I ended up having problems… but nope, all is well. Yes, I’m sure there are fancier turntables that clean your record while it spins and yell at you for breathing too close to the grooves (the real vinyl experience). At the same time, I’m not in a position to spend a year’s pay on a setup & I know a lot of people are in the same boat. So lemme say this: I like my Cruiser and I’m obsessed with all the aesthetically pleasing new Cruisers they’ve launched this year. LOOK AT THEM.
holographic // black star // lilac // floral embossed // pink foil // red velvet
They also have like a dozen other turntables that I think look amazing, but I need to stop browsing their site before I end up with a turntable in each room of my home.
Other Turntables
I’m thinking of testing out some new turntables this year just to see what I like. These are ones I’ve been lusting after on Instagram for ages, so maybe they’re just what you’re looking for.
audio technica // ep-33 // u-turn audio
Accessories
I’m currently in a space that I can’t really decorate, so I just dream of the day when I’ll be able to really go all out on my vinyl setup. These are all things I’ve cried over at one point or another this year.
Record Props
If you’ve got a couple records you’d like to use as display pieces, Record Props are absolutely the best looking way to do so. As someone who collects far too many pressings of each release, I think I could stand to put a couple on the walls as a cool ~vinyl cave~ decoration piece (in my imaginary dream home).
Vinyl Frames
When I found these marble vinyl frames on the UO store, I actually let out my longest yeah boi ever (I know that sounds like an outdated meme reference but it was embarrassingly my actual reaction). I love marble and I love the artwork on some of my fave records. This is the ultimate way to combine them. You can form them into patterns, a big wall grid, or just use it for the album you’re currently spinning — probably a good idea because keeping the vinyl itself pressed into these frames could warp it.
Record Crates
I have an authentic milk crate (don’t tell the police) that someone left at a flea market. It now makes sense why they gave it to me for free (911, there’s a girl here with a milk crate??) but now you can get a crate and avoid jail. Plus, I found them on a shipping website so they’re not marked up in price… gotta beat the system when we can, am I right?
I hope this was able to assist you with your holiday shopping/listing as much as it ended up helping me while I was creating it! And vinyl is FOREVER, BABY so treat yourself once the holidays are over and your bank account starts to make you sweat a little less.
Did you find anything on this list that you liked?
What things did I miss on this list that you think I should know about?
I always love hearing from y’all so let me know below. ❤
xoxo