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Original poster

Homemade cd an acceptable Christmas present?

141 replies

DieAntword · 07/08/2018 13:12

I don't have a lot of money. I am not crafty AT ALL. People tell me, often, that I have a beautiful voice (I sing to my kids a lot in public because it soothes them and ...I love singing anyway). I like my voice I think it's nice.

I once took singing lessons for a term because at uni there was an option to do a terms worth of music modules but you had to do either an instrument or singing lessons and choir. She said I had a good voice for being "wild and untamed".

I want to do a CD of folk music songs as a Christmas present for friends and family because a pack of recordable CDs is cheap and I don't have a lot of money but it would still take work, it's not like I'm just going to belt out the songs - I will practice and try and get them to a good level.

On the other hand no matter how well I know a song there are moments I don't quite hit a note or my voice cracks a bit or something - I can never get it perfect. I imagine that's true of most singers tbh (every band I have seen live has made mistakes that were smoothed over in the studio produced versions) but obviously I can't afford access to a studio to make it "perfect".

Would you find a gift like that insulting? A bit egotistical (like... why would someone be so arrogant as to think you want to hear their singing)? Or would you appreciate it for the thought and work that went in? (and hopefully you like the music too!)

OP posts:
Waggamamma · 07/08/2018 13:39

Personally, I wouldn't appreciate this - I don't have a cd player for a start and I haven't since music went digital 10+ years ago.

Also, I'm not really into music that isn't mainstream and can sing along to, so something niche wouldn't be for me - sorry.

It's a bit like gifting someone a photo of yourself?

GooodMythicalMorning · 07/08/2018 13:43

Its a no from me.

Floralnomad · 07/08/2018 13:46

It would be a no from me as well , cds are very old hat to the point that they don’t even put CD players in lots of new cars anymore and I think music is very personal .

Original poster
DieAntword · 07/08/2018 13:51

It's a bit like gifting someone a photo of yourself?

I don't know about it being quite the same... I mean the music isn't written by me or anything. The only sense in which it's me is because I'm the one singing it. Heck in an ideal world that fact would not even be noted, just a cd of music, doesn't even need to be mentioned who is on it.

But I get that everyone likes different kinds of music. What if it was specifically Christmas songs? Then it's relevant not just some random music that people may or may not personally like? I do know at least some of the people I know like folk music too though (my dad, some of my friends).

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SmilingButClueless · 07/08/2018 13:52

It’s a no from me as well. I don’t think I’d even want a CD from a friend / family member who did it professionally - it’s a bit like getting a copy of someone’s self-published book as a gift, seems more about the individual’s ego than considering what the recipient would like.

But then I’m not a fan of homemade crafty things as gifts either. Much prefer a card with a nice message and no gift.

ApolloandDaphne · 07/08/2018 13:53

It would be a wasted gift to me. I listen to music but I don't listen to CDs anymore and they are all boxed up in the attic. I don't have a CD player now either.

Original poster
DieAntword · 07/08/2018 13:54

But then I’m not a fan of homemade crafty things as gifts either. Much prefer a card with a nice message and no gift.

My parents always get me very expensive gifts and I feel so bad I can never afford to get them anything that if they wanted they wouldn't have already just bought for themselves but my mum quite openly says "what's the point of a card"? Like you just throw it away after Christmas and they're all mass produced and the same.

OP posts:
Original poster
DieAntword · 07/08/2018 13:55

It would be a wasted gift to me. I listen to music but I don't listen to CDs anymore and they are all boxed up in the attic. I don't have a CD player now either.

Well it doesn't have to physically be a CD, could be a usb stick or something similar.

OP posts:
Original poster
DieAntword · 07/08/2018 13:57

The problem is the things that people would actually like cost lots of money and I can't afford that. The alternative is buying cheap tat or gag gifts no-one really wants that will end up in the bottom of a drawer somewhere.

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MissMedusa · 07/08/2018 14:03

I think it would be fine and actually a very nice idea for parents or close relatives but probably not for friends.

royalton · 07/08/2018 14:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Buddyelf · 07/08/2018 14:29

Sorry it would be a no from me as well, for a start I haven’t had a CD player in about 10 years and I’m not wanting to be mean but it’s a bit cringe. If someone gave me cd of themselves singing for Christmas I’d be a bit Hmm sorry

Alanamackree · 07/08/2018 14:55

I do appreciate crafty gifts and love homemade stuff, and would far rather something like this than mass produced tat. But I think I’m in the minority.
I’d love this from a close friend or a family member, but I’d probably be a bit less impressed by it from a more distant friend or relative (I’m not quite sure why).
Would you consider individualising it a bit- to include some people’s favorite songs?
I’d appreciate children’s music for my dc or sleepy lullabies.

betterthanbutter · 07/08/2018 14:57

Well I would love it! I still buy CDs rather than buying music digitally - clearly I’m in the minority!!

betterthanbutter · 07/08/2018 14:58

I also still have a cassette player!

HeyThoughIWalk · 07/08/2018 14:58

I would like this, especially if I knew money was tight for you. I'd be horrified if you spent money you didn't have on a present for me.

Having said that, it might be wise to agree in advance with people that you're not doing big presents this year, just in case someone spends £50 on you and expects the same in return.

Itsonitsway · 07/08/2018 14:59

It would be a no from me sorry op.

Do it anyway just so we can have an aibu thread from one of the recipients Grin

royalton · 07/08/2018 15:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
DieAntword · 07/08/2018 15:03

Having said that, it might be wise to agree in advance with people that you're not doing big presents this year, just in case someone spends £50 on you and expects the same in return.

Tbh my friends don’t tend to get me anything, but they do enough for me during the year being I don’t have a car and I’m always being given lifts and no one asks for petrol money.

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Justgivemesomepeace · 07/08/2018 15:04

I'd be made up with something like this from a close friend or family member. I suspect your parents would love it. I'd love a CD of my daughter singing. If it was someone more distant I might be a bit Confused but then I only do gifts with close friends and family. I don't however really listen to music much but I'd make an exception for something like this. Looks like I'm also in the minority.

ShotsFired · 07/08/2018 15:07

I wouldn't be keen on the actual gift, no, but I would think it was a lovely kind gesture from you. So I would still very def appreciate the sentiment.

If money is tight, I think I would actually appreciate time with you more than anything (and especially over you spending money you didn't have). An invite for tea and cake at yours, a 'voucher' for a dog walk in the woods. Or just a thoughtful card saying why you loved me as your friend.

The no money gifts can be harder to come up with, but that is precisely what makes them so special. It's easy and lazy to buy tat.

Original poster
DieAntword · 07/08/2018 15:10

An invite for tea and cake at yours, a 'voucher' for a dog walk in the woods.

I always feel like I’m being a burden on people inviting them to mine. Because I have two young kids it’s so nice when people visit me and I get to have a chat with a grown up so I always feel like it’s just an act of charity for my sake.

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nervyuyt · 07/08/2018 15:14

I would be a bit Hmm 'she loves herself, doesn't she?' If someone gave me a CD hey had made of them singing as a gift.

nervyuyt · 07/08/2018 15:14

I would be a bit Hmm 'she loves herself, doesn't she?' If someone gave me a CD hey had made of them singing as a gift.

ShotsFired · 07/08/2018 15:15

Fine, then offer babysitting or to take their dog for a walk then!

You can tailor it to suit the recipients!