1. A new dot book
It's never too early to start learning drill (unless you are in the pit). It may be February, but if your significant other loves band as much as they love you, he or she will be thrilled to get a head start. Surprise them with a different love note on each page, or something unique about them that you really like.
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2. A copy of the Spongebob episode Band Geeks
Everyone loves Spongebob Squarepants, but band geeks especially will appreciate this episode for obvious reasons. It is the perfect thing to watch while cuddling with your loved one on Valentine's Day. This episode is available on Amazon or iTunes.
3. Tickets to a DCI show
If your significant other isn't already a fangirl/guy for corps like Carolina Crown or Blue Devils, he or she will be after this present. Just to fill anyone in who doesn't know drum corps, it is basically marching band over the summer. Believe it or not, some people actually spend their entire year doing band or band-related activities. Crazy, right?
Anyway, there are a TON of DCI (Drum Corps International) shows that take place all over the country between June 23 and August 13. And, if your significant other already marches drum corps, don't feel bad about buying a ticket for yourself. He or she will really appreciate you coming out to watch. If show tickets are too expensive, you can purchase tickets to see either the season premier or finals or both in theaters.
Get tickets here.
4. Extra Reeds
Somehow, one can never have enough reeds. They are either broken or missing or something else entirely, but the fact of the matter is, your significant other needs one ASAP. He or she doesn't even have to be a woodwind player because for some reason everyone else needs one too.
Brass players, percussionists, and the occasional color guard member, despite the fact that their equipment in no way requires a reed, always seem to have forgotten their reed right before a show. No matter what your significant other's role is in the band, he or she will need another reed and will deeply appreciate the effort you put in.
Side note: It is probably a better idea to only get this as a gift for woodwind players. There are different types of reeds for different instruments and each instrument has its own range reed thicknesses to select from. These different styles are marked by different letters and numbers, but as a brass player, I have no idea what any of these markings mean so make sure you know which type of reed your significant other needs.
5. Valve Oil
Similar to woodwinds, brass players are always running out of something. What is that something, you ask? Why, it's valve oil of course! If there is one thing any brass player truly needs, it is valve oil. We can't get enough of it. For some reason though, nobody else wants any. Members of different sections don't have a need or secret desire to posses valve oil. This automatically puts brass players at the top of the list for ideal relationship candidates, because gift-buying for them is easier.
We will take anything as a gift, whether it be reeds or valve oil, whereas woodwind players will refuse to accept valve oil as a gift (in fact your significant other will probably throw the valve oil in your face if he or she is not a brass player, and especially if he or she is a woodwind). Don't deal with the struggle of dating someone like that and just go for that cute trumpet player, as arrogant as he or she may be.
6. Drum Sticks
People like to hit things and what better way to let them do so than by getting them a pair of drumsticks. No, your significant other does not have to be a percussionist to appreciate this gift. In fact, he or she will probably enjoy it much more than reeds and especially more than valve oil. Take the color guard, for example.
When they aren't flag-twirling or weapon-spinning, their favorite thing to do is practice their diddles. This is also the drumline and pit's favorite thing to do. And woodwinds. And brass. No matter who your significant other is, all he or she wants to do is practice diddles this Valentine's day.
7. Marching Shoes
Now here is something everyone can use. There are a lot of different brands of marching shoes that one can buy, so here are a few small reviews of some of the most popular brands:
Dinkles
These are probably the most commonly used marching shoes of all time. Personally, I don't find them that comfortable, but they aren't the worst thing to happen to my body. They are definitely affordable, which makes them ideal for many marchers.
Vipers
My personal favorite. These shoes provide plenty of support and comfort and almost feel like a good pair of running shoes. They are a bit pricey, but if you want your loved one to march in comfort it is definitely worth the extra money.
MTX
Now these are shoes I have never actually used, but they are one of the highest ranked marching shoes there are. From what I have read and seen, the style of the MTX marching shoe is similar to that of the Viper marching shoe. They are also pricey, but I am going to trust the reviews on this one and say that they are worth the money.
Drill Masters
Now these are a shoe I can definitely march in. They aren't as comfortable as Vipers or MTX, but they have something that no other marching shoe has: The Rolled Heel. The rolled heel allows for marchers to easily roll their feet and push through the step with ease (if you don't know what a roll step is, it is okay, your significant other will). The overall comfort level of these shoes is similar to that of Dinkles, but with the added feature of the rolled heel, they simply have to outrank Dinkles.
8. Glitter
Every guard member's dream. No, I don't mean decorate your significant other's present with glitter; his or her present is the glitter. I was never a huge fan. It gets everywhere and never comes off, but I guess that's a good thing if you are in the color guard.
This is one of those things where you have to really know your boyfriend or girlfriend before you buy it. If they love it, they will LOVE it as a gift, but if they don't love glitter, you'd be better of playing it safe with one of my other gift ideas.
So there you have it! Eight amazing gift ideas to make your significant other's Valentine's Day really special in a nerdy way.
