Issue #34: The DRTI Holiday Gift Guide

Ideas for the country music fan in your life! Or yourself! There's no ethical consumption under capitalism!

Anne Marie Fox / Amazon Studios, Prime Video

It’s December, which means it’s time for capitalism gift-giving! As usual - and perhaps more so this year - I’ve been doing some meditation on what it means to celebrate and gift gifts during a time of unbearable tragedy. It is far too big a topic to tackle here, but two things can be true: we can be engaged, empathetic and downright furious about the state of the world while also participating in small gestures of gratitude and simply joy for those around us. For the people we are grateful for.

Anyway, here at Don’t Rock the Inbox, we thought we’d recommend a couple of gifts to make things a little easier as you scramble to find some things for the country fan in your life - in a completely Amazon-free way. We like to buy things directly from small businesses, local venders and artists when we can - and we aren’t taking an affiliate commission on any of these links, so do us a favor and subscribe/spread the word if you enjoy what you read here (PS, we’re running a sale on subscriptions!). Happy holidays!

Asleep at the Wheel Tee by Midnight Rider

Now I know the bulk of you are here to shop for Christmas presents, but we would be remiss to not mention this t-shirt to kick things off, in tribute to Our Father and King of County Chanukah Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Not too late to get some expedited shipping in time for the first night this Thursday (and plenty of time for Christmas). There are a couple Asleep at the Wheel options, including this cropped tee and a Longhorn Jamboree one that is pretty great.

Kacey Musgraves “I Didn’t Say F*cking Yee” Ugly Christmas Sweater

I will die on the hill that says A Very Kacey Christmas is up there with the top five Christmas records of all time - sometimes we listen to it not during the holiday season. This sweater combines two iconic things: that record, and this moment.

Margo Price “Getting By Getting High” Necklace

Margo Price has so much good merch, it’s hard to pick one item, but this necklace is tops in terms of a great gift-able item for the person who likes both cannabis and Margo Price (because I guarantee the intersection between the two is not so hard to find) (raises hand).

What've I Done To Help Jason Isbell Camp Flag

Though I am super pissed to have clearly missed purchasing the one bearing a lyric of “Vampires,” this partnership between Jason Isbell and Oxford Pennant is kind of the perfect gift for the Isbell fan in your life who already has all the records (because of course they do - but if they don’t, the Southeastern box set is a killer gift). Could also be a nice, passive aggressive way to motivate a friend who truly is not…doing much to help.

Willie Nelson Ornament

Not sure how many people over the years I have given this ornament, or something from this great little East Nashville shop, too, but I bet it’s a lot! I love this Willie Nelson one - stop by if you are local to Nashville, but they ship, too.

Newport Folk Festival Socks

Look, we’re Jews. So we’re not really stocking stuffer experts. But these seem like a good way to take what I believe is a common stocking gift and crank it up a notch for your Newport Folk Festival diehard. Made in America, and very cute.

Good Trouble / Better South Garden Flag 

You know how we feel about the south - our home, our creative inspiration. But we believe in a better south, and this is a good bet for the person in your life who does, too.

Concert Tickets!

Good for the environment (comparatively), good for artists. I (Natalie) use Do214 sometimes; not perfect but as good as most available listings (and available nationally).

Imogene + Willie Support Live Musicians T-Shirt

To the “comparatively” good point above, this tee gives 100% of profits to MusiCares and other artist support related efforts. From beloved local clothier Imogene + Willie. Their shirts are a touch pricier than the standard tee, but I’ve (Marissa) had one I bought my first month in Nashville 12+ years ago and still wear it. Made ethically in the USA, too.

Handwritten Lyrics by Emily Scott Robinson

A custom-written set of lyrics from the infinitely talented Emily Scott Robinson - a beautiful, one of kind gift.

A Physical Album

A record store is awesome, Bandcamp is cool, Discogs also works. No shame it doing it just ‘cause it looks neat either. We’re also big fans of giving a gift certificate to your local record shop.

Lainey Wilson Disco Ball Ornament

If you’re going to a tree-trimming party of a country music fan (again, fuck if I know a thing about these parties or if they actually exist…seems true!), this ornament from reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson is a solid choice.

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey Eric Church Edition

I am not much of a whiskey drinker, but this is a country music newsletter, so we are legally obligated to recommend some to you? I’ve sampled this one from The Chief and liked it very much. If whiskey is not your intoxicant of choice, the hybrid pre-roll from Willie Nelson (purchased and consumed only in legal states of course) is delightful.

Island of Misfit Mists by xoBC wines (non-alcoholic)

For the Brandi Carlile fan in your life, I love this non-alcoholic gift set (personally not a fan of assuming someone drinks alcohol when it comes to gifting, so non-alcoholic libation are always a nice route to go either way). Comes with a sample of bottles and two very imperative, very queer Yetis - this is the future liberals want! But if you are buying for an imbiber, this gift set is great, too.

A Vandoliers T-Shirt

Friends of the newsletter the Vandoliers have awesome merch that looks cool whether your giftee is already a fan or not.

Color Me Country Hat by Rissi Palmer

Rissi Palmer hosts one of the best podcasts around, and this hat, made by the terrific Nashville-based company n.b. goods, is a great option for the country fan in your life who wears hats (is that redundant?!) and gives a damn about who gets to claim country as their own.

Pamela Love X Orville Peck Bolo

This is a genius and gorgeous splurge from Orville - fashion meets country, so how can you go wrong? But if your budget is a little smaller, this keychain is cute too.

A Playlist

Free, fun, personal. Good for the environment! Better still if you….download the files off Bandcamp and send them? It’s a little less seamless to avoid streaming services but certainly possible. We’ve given our paying subscribers plenty of inspiration!

Country & Western jacket by Vinyl Ranch

Because there are only two genres, and these are them.

A western snap shirt

I (Marissa) bought a couple of these from Rockmount Ranchwear last time I was in Colorado for my kids. They’re super well made and will last forever - I do recommend shopping the “available immediately” section on the website, as many things are out of stock or backordered.

Charley Crockett Sweatshirt

I banned myself from purchasing any new musician sweatshirts as they comprise like 99% of my winter wardrobe, but this one from Charley is quite Good, and a nice alternative to buying someone a boring sweater.

She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh

There are a million Dolly Parton books available for purchase, and they’re tempting: everyone likes Dolly Parton, so therefore everyone likes a book on Dolly Parton. Skip the glossier hardcovers and go for this one by Sarah Smarsh instead, who contextualizes the songs in the lives of real rural American women.

Idyllwind by Miranda Lambert gloves

Cute and warm, a classic gift with a Miranda touch - aka Texas horse girl designs.

Loving You Poster signed by Amanda Shires

Anything signed makes a superior gift - this one signed by Amanda Shires is perfect. Get it framed locally and gift it along with the Amanda Shires/Bobbie Nelson record on vinyl.

My (Marissa’s) Book Her Country

A very personal shill for Her Country - for the person who loves country music but hates the patriarchy! Order it from a local Nashville shop and tell them you want it personalized if you like.

And…last but not least, a subscription to Don’t Rock the Inbox!

Why yes, you can send someone the gift of an annual subscription to this very newsletter, changing their life in the process (plus scoring a free koozie and sticker so it’s not an entirely virtual gift!).