Vinyl as a gift
Updated 3 Oct 2026
A record is a gift you can hold, put on a shelf and play for years. To make sure it lands well, check a few things first.
What to find out first
- Do they have something to play it on? Without a turntable, a record is mostly wall art. If they’re only planning to get one, read what you need to get started.
- What they already own. Collectors hate having the same record twice. Take a discreet look at their shelf, or ask someone in the family.
- Which edition. The same album can come as a plain black LP, coloured vinyl, a limited edition or a double album (2LP). For most people a plain black LP is best: it sounds the same and costs less. Coloured and limited editions mainly make sense for collectors of that artist.
- Not every “record” is vinyl. Some shops list the CD or cassette under the same name. Look for LP or vinyl in the title.
The safest way: a wishlist
The most reliable way is to ask. People who collect records usually know exactly what they’re missing. On recordhood they can save records to a wishlist, mark the ones they want most and send you a single link. You’ll see the prices in every shop and won’t buy anything twice.
What to budget
A new LP usually costs €20–35; double albums and special editions cost more. The same record can differ by several euros between shops, so it’s worth comparing. On every album page, the cheapest shop is at the top.
Classics almost everyone enjoys
Albums that belong in most collections and keep being reissued:
When to order
Before Christmas, shops send many more parcels and delivery takes longer. Order by mid-December at the latest, and check with smaller shops how late they can guarantee delivery. If you miss the post, look for record stores near you.
If they already have it
When you buy online in the EU, you have 14 days to return goods. For sound recordings, though, this only applies to sealed records: once the shrink-wrap is off, the shop doesn’t have to take it back. If you’re unsure, leave the record sealed and agree that it gets opened only once they know they don’t have it yet.