Shea: Some alternative music gifts to iTunes giftcards

We’ve got about two weeks left of this semester. After four months’ worth of grueling schoolwork, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel, and we’re all antsy to get home to mom’s homemade cookies and our holidays of choice.

But with good food, family and old friends comes a new stress: Christmas shopping.

Sure, it doesn’t make our blood pressures rise in quite the same way as cramming for an econ final, but it does require us to venture out into seasonal retail hell under the pressure of finding “that perfect gift.”

While I promise I have no insight for you about what to get your Great-Uncle Bernie, I do have a nice little list of my own for music buffs that could be great for your classic rockin’ dad, grungy teenage brother or little cousin finally coming out of her Hannah Montana phase. Or even for yourself, if you feel so inclined.

So if you’re stressing out trying to find a music-themed gift that’s a bit more personal than an iTunes gift card, here are a few suggestions.

Grado SR60 headphones

Where to get it: www.gradolabs.com

Price: $80

If you’re looking for serious headphones on a feeble budget, definitely check out Grados. They’re widely considered to have the best sound for the price by far and for a great reason — the sound is truly fantastic and worth every penny.

Ticket stub diary

Where to get it: Amazon.com

Price: $12.95

I was initially hestitant to recommend this, because anything that even vaguely resembles scrap booking gives me the creeps, but there are no paper teddy bears here — just a great place to save ticket stubs. Personally, I’m always throwing my stubs in a dresser or desk drawer where there’s always a chance they’ll disappear forever. Ticket stubs are cool little mementos from concerts that only get cooler as they get older. My dad still has tickets from Grateful Dead concerts in the ’70s.

Music magazine subscription

Where to get it: online

Price: $15-25

Even if you aren’t a fountain of music knowledge, you can still give someone a year’s worth of music news and features. It’s hard to put a ribbon on, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving — until next year at least. Just do a bit of snooping to see which mag they’re into, and you’re golden.

“An Indie Rock Alphabet Book”

Where to get it: www.pastemagazine.com/store

Price: $12.95

It’s important to get kids off to the right start in life. Feeding them vegetables and stimulating their brains is fine, but what is probably more important is exposing them to good music. Paste Magazine has a great solution to this with its children’s book “An Indie Rock Alphabet Book,” which teaches kids the alphabet as well as the basics of any indie-rock knowledge. This book could save kids from the ever-embarrassing middle school stage when they think Simple Plan and The JoBros are good rock music.

Recycled LP coasters

Where to get it: www.getngreen.com

Price: $19.99

I don’t even use coasters, and I think these are awesome. Coasters made from old records can add a bit of fun and class to even the skuzziest South Oakland apartment. It lets guests know that you’ve got a retro kind of cool taste in music AND that you respect wood.

Bob Dylan Memoir

Where to get it: Amazon.com

Price: $10-15

Turns out Bob Dylan isn’t just great at writing songs. His memoir, “Chronicles: Volume One,” is pretty solid, too. Any folk lover and Dylan fan can get into “Chronicles: Volume One,” which is a retelling of Dylan’s life as “the great American songwriter” through his own voice.

“The Beatles Rock Band”

Where to get it: Best Buy

Price: $59.99

OK, I know it’s expensive, but it’s so cool! I haven’t actually played it yet — but still! How can it not rock? You’re adding The Beatles (obviously awesome) to Rock Band (also really fun). It’s an undeniably great combination. It’s like the Tickle Me Elmo of this Christmas — for grown-ups.