• No matter how big or small your budget may be, choosing the perfect gift for a violin player is a simple task. Violinists may prefer gifts that aid them in their musical pursuits, or they may prefer receiving a gift that is fun and irreverent. Whatever you decide to give a violinist, be sure to take her own personal likes and dislikes into consideration when selecting your gift.
  
  

Rosin

• Every string player needs rosin. It's a sticky resin made from sap that comes in a cake form. Violinists use it on their bows to increase friction and enhance sound. Student grade rosin is cheap; it typically costs between $2 and $5 depending on the store. If you're feeling extravagant or if you're buying a gift for a serious violin player, purchase professional grade rosin for her. It's not typically much more expensive than student grade, though rosin with gold or silver added can cost close to $100 or more.
  
  

Cases

• Most violinists would appreciate a new case in which to carry his instrument. Cases have basic compartments for carrying the violin, bow, rosin and extra strings. Expensive cases have multiple compartments for carrying everything from tuners to sheet music, and may also have built-in humidifiers to keep the violin in just the right state. Some have room to carry extra bows and most offer a locking mechanism to protect the instrument and accessories inside.
  
  When purchasing a case, give special consideration to each one's suspension system. The case should offer plenty of padding for the instrument to keep it from lying flat on the bottom of the case.
  
  

Fun Stuff

• If you're looking for a less expensive gift for a violin player, or if you want something more fun than useful, consider purchasing string-themed decorations for the player's home. Posters of violins may appeal to younger violinists, while older violinists may swoon over a framed music-themed photograph. CDs of famous concertos by masters such as Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Brahms or Bach are always welcome.
  
  

Accessories

• There are many useful and inexpensive accessories that work well as gifts for violinists. Electronic tuners make tuning a violin fast and easy. There's no need to spend time at the piano comparing pitches--the electronic tuner tells exactly how high or low a violin's string is. You can generally buy a basic electronic tuner for less than $30.
  
  Another gift option is a nice music stand. Every violin player needs a stand to hold her sheet music. When choosing a stand, make sure that it's sturdy and adjustable. For the violinist on the go, a portable stand might be a good choice.