Valentine’s Day is a few days away, so (thankfully!) there’s still time to get your significant other, partner in crime, or even your bff a special gift. But now onto the big question…what do you get them? Well, if the person you’re looking to get the perfect gift for is a podcaster, or die-hard podcast fan, then you’re in luck! We’ve made a list of some top gift ideas for the podcast lover in your life, ensuring that you will always claim the title of “Best Gift Giver” no matter the occasion!

So if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the podcast host, or podcast enthusiast in your life, (or you’re just looking to get yourself the perfect gift, there are certainly no rules against that!) then we’ve got you covered!

1. Gear

First up, you can never go wrong with some great podcast gear, as without certain gear, it’s almost impossible to create a great show! And if the person you’re looking to spoil this Valentine’s Day is just about to break into the podcasting industry, these gear options will make the perfect gift! 

Microphones

The most common hardware set-up for podcasters is a USB mic simply plugged into a laptop, so if your Valentine is looking to start their own podcast, this is likely the best way to go. When it comes to which microphones to pick, popular choices include the ATR2100 or the Blue Yeti, due to their quality as well as their relatively inexpensive price points. 

Headphones

A pair of quality headphones help podcast hosts to pick up on any audio issues during their recording, as well as helping to monitor the audio levels. They are also super handy in keeping you focused and in the zone whenever recording is taking place! Two popular headphones amongst podcasters are the Audio Technica ATH-M30x and the Sony MDR-7506.

Other

If you’re looking for something else besides the basics of mics and headphones, you could look at other gear options such as mic stands or pop filters. Mic stands can help you adjust the microphone to the perfect recording position. Different mics have different “sweet spots” and mic stands can help the host consistently capture the best audio by ensuring that the mic is always in its optimal position.

Pop filters are great tools for enhancing audio quality as they help to reduce or totally eliminate the popping sound that often happens when speaking into a microphone, which obviously will lead to a much better sounding podcast!

And while these are not necessarily viewed as essential podcasting equipment, they can really help elevate the sound quality of raw recordings and so improve the overall quality of the podcast, making these great gifts for spoiling that special podcast host, no matter the occasion. 

2. Subscriptions and Services

Subscriptions are a fantastic, but totally under-utilized gift idea! For the podcast host, you could purchase subscriptions for skill-enhancing sites like Skillshare or Coursera which offer many courses that would be a great resource to help podcast hosts hone their skills. But you could also gift some great podcast-related services. Whether that’s hosting services from Buzzsprout, show notes and editing services from us at We Edit Podcasts, remote recording services from SquadCast, or even a subscription to Headliner for the ability to create unlimited audiograms, the podcast host in your life would love any of the above! Not only will they be able to further improve their show, but you investing into their show’s success will seriously mean the world to them! 

And for podcast listeners, you could give the gift of even greater variety by gifting subscriptions or gift cards to Spotify or Stitcher Premium, Luminary, or Wondery Plus. 

3. Skill-Enhancing Courses

Another great, out-of-the-box idea for a gift for that special podcast host is the gift of knowledge! And by that, we mean Skill-Enhancing Courses! Podcast hosts are consistently trying to improve their skill set in order to keep making their podcast the best that it can be. And so a really great gift could be a course that has been created to do just that! Whether it’s their writing skills that they would like to hone, or they would like to push their audio editing skills to the next level, there is most certainly a course for that, or anything in between. And while there are a variety of great free courses available, getting access to some highly-rated paid-for courses can grant you the ability to learn from some top-notch professionals and experts in their fields, which will take your skills to the next level! 

Sites like Udemy (as well as sites like Skillshare which we mentioned under subscriptions) offer some comprehensive courses that cover everything from sound editing to creative writing, and they even offer some great courses especially for podcasters. And thanks to living in the digital age, there are a vast variety of well-recognized institutions that offer virtual or online short courses that you can take from anywhere in the world.

But a word of caution, before you purchase a course, read up on some reviews. There are many courses that offer the world but fail to deliver, so be sure to do a little research before you purchase!

Related read: Podcast Courses to Take During Lockdown

4. Chocolate and Sweet Treats

We realize this is not strictly “podcast-related” but you really can’t go wrong with some top quality chocolate or other types of tantalizing sweet treats! And if you know the type of treat your partner, BFF, or significant other favors, then you’re well on your way to getting them the perfect Valentine’s gift! But we’ve got a great idea to take this to the next level! Why not take those tasty treats and create Podcaster Care Packages for that special podcast host or avid podcast listener in your life?

Podcast hosts pour a lot of time into creating each podcast episode, and often have to work late into the night, especially if their podcast is a side hustle. So a thoughtful little care package full of yummy chocolates or other heart-shaped confectionaries could be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. 

And if the person you’re getting the perfect gift for is a massive podcast fan, a hamper of delicious treats to devour whenever they listen to their favorite podcast will easily win you the title of “Awesome Gift Giver!” 

5. Podcast Merch

What could be a better Valentine’s Day gift (or any special occasion for that matter!) than some totally awesome podcast merch! In case you didn’t know, so many amazing podcasts have started selling some incredibly fun merch especially for all their loyal listeners! Not only is this a great way to support your favorite podcasts and their hosts, but podcast merch makes for some really special gifts! 

And to make it easy, there are sites set up specifically for podcasters to share their wares. Podswag has loads of amazing products from so many amazing podcasts! They’ve got merch from Hello from the Magic Tavern, iHeart’s Podcast of the Year 2021 Winner Office Ladies, The Sporkful, and even Freakonomics Radio. Basically, if you’re looking for an amazing podcast-related gift, Podswag will definitely have it! There is also Redbubble, a site where products are designed and sold by artists, which is another great site for unique podcast-centric gifts.

But besides these e-commerce sites, many podcasts have merch for sale via their podcast’s website. From David Tennant Does a Podcast (sidetone: if you’re also looking for a gift for a Doctor Who fan then you’ve hit the jackpot with this one!), RomComPods, or even the ever-popular Criminal, all these shows (and so many more!) have super fun merch that will make for an amazing surprise for your podcast-loving loved ones! 

6. Tickets to Podcast Events

One of the most special characteristics of being a part of the podcasting industry, either as the host of your own show or as an avid consumer is the community that builds around a show, and the connection you feel to others in that community. And it is that strong sense of community that first gifted us podcast events! So our last gift idea for those special podcast people in your life is tickets to some podcast events!

And there are so many options in this category! You could look into podcast conferences, such as Podcast Movement, which is an incredible conference geared towards helping podcast creators and hosts connect with others in the industry and learn from some of the best in the business. 

But, individual podcasts are also hosting their own events for their listeners! You can attend live recordings of episodes (virtual, and in-person as regulations allow), meet-and-greets with the hosts of your favorite shows, as well as interactive Q&A sessions where you can really get to interact with those hosts you admire. 

Do some Internet snooping to find out if and when your partner/gift recipient’s favorite shows are hosting an event and get them a ticket to surprise them with on Valentine’s Day…or a birthday, anniversary, unbirthday, just-because gift or other special event – this gift idea really has no limits or restrictions!

Related read: Podcast Events to Look Out For in 2021 – Part 1

Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re into Valentine’s Day or not, (or you’re only interested in the discounted chocolates and sweet treats come February 15th, no judgement here!) these gifts are perfect for the podcast host or the podcast enthusiast you’re looking to spoil! But even if you think Valentine’s is an overrated, overcommericialized, over-marketed “holiday”, these podcast-focused gift ideas are super versatile, making them perfect for any occasion! Make a note of these ideas, and you’ll never be left stumped when it comes to buying gifts for the podcast lover in your life!