I just bought my mom a 3/4 size guitar- kind of an early xmas gift, but probably more of a thank you for not yelling at me to knock off that racket when I would bang on the old pump organ we had when I was 4 years old.

For my oldest sister, I would probably like to get a fiddle. She doesn't play, but I'm sure she could teach herself.

For my other sister, I can't think of anything. She has the talent, but not the desire to do anything with it. I did get her a flute one year for Christmas- when she was young, she always wanted to play the flute, but got stuck with the clarinet instead.

For my nieces and nephew, I always try to get them some sort of little musical thing- maybe this year it will be a tin whistle for each of them or a plastic recorder. My folks were always indulgent in getting (and letting me play) such things when I was younger.

For my dad, I would have likely got him another mando. He passed away 7 years ago.

For my brother, I would have given him the McKinney lap steel that I have. He was a guitar player, but liked slides so I think he would have loved it. He passed away 4 years ago.

PS- Alice, I really like your twist on my suggested thread. One of the greatest gifts in life is music.

Snookums