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I remember one Christmas I was in charge of buying a gift for my Uncle Ed. My family exchanges names each Christmas, a tradition that began when buying for all of the increasingly numerous family members became overwhelming both financially and theoretically. Now, we trade names and shop for someone new each year. As fun and exciting as this is, it can be difficult when you get a relative you don't know very well! My Uncle Ed found a solution to this problem. He asked for music.

More specifically, my Uncle Ed asked for MY music. He requests, each Christmas, that whoever draws his name get him a CD of their favorite music, and a great book they've read. As a true music lover and bibliophile, Ed just wants to know more of what's out there. He knows that he is not exposed to the same literature and music as his family members, and uses the Christmas gift exchange to broaden his horizons.

Chances are the people on your Christmas list aren't of the same opinion as my Uncle Ed, and don't really want to get YOUR favorites for Christmas. From the elderly to young children, tastes vary and you can go crazy trying to find CD's that suit everyone. For these problems, I suggest turning to online music.

When I set out to buy music for people this year, I quickly realized that to walk into a music store, browse selections, and find a CD for everyone would take days. Just look at your local stores' music selections - they are huge! Instead, I decided to put my walking shoes away, settle in front of the computer for a few hours, and shop music from home. Using an online music store, I can search for artists and titles, cruise lists of current hits or genera styles, and even compile various playlists to burn my own CD's.

Do you have a grandfather or grandmother on your list? How about downloading some of their favorites from years gone by and burning them a CD? I remember the songs my grandmother use to sing to us when we were children, and using iTunes I have purchased the ones I remember the best to make a CD. It has everything from the Pied Pipers "Mairzy Oats" to Shirley Temple's "Good Ship Lollipop." My sister, on the other hand, is an 18-year-old college student caught in the indie scene. She has moved on from Jack Johnson, and now listens to music a bit more grown-up. I can make a playlist of current indie hits for her and burn another personalized CD tuned to her tastes.

So, to get great CD's for music lovers of all ages, make them yourself! Use your memories from the past, or what you know about their current music taste, and get online. Find songs to compile into a playlist and make a CD. Boyfriends and girlfriends use to make mixed tapes, now it has gotten just a little bit updated. A mixed CD for Christmas says you care enough about the person to research their taste in music and select each song personally. An added bonus? You will get to hear some great music as you "shop"! Do check to see the site's user agreement on the purchasing and distribution of music. You don't want to illegally make everyone's Christmas gifts!

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Vose.
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