Tuneful ideas

When the idea to use the same type of technology for entertainment came up, boxes became much larger ranging from table top models to pieces the size of furniture. Don’t forget that in those days there was no electricity and no entertainment of any kind except that which the people themselves made. The invention of the music box was a great step forward in home entertainment. Table top boxes were the most popular since they were somewhat portable in nature.

Some of the more expensive models had interchangeable cylinders while some could play music for up to three hours. The more popular had interchangeable discs which virtually decimated the cylinder varieties.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, automatic pianos which played their own tunes and gramophones became popular. Nowadays, those early twentieth century music boxes have become collector’s items along with some of the music boxes of today.

These days, music boxes come in virtually every shape and form that you can imagine. Some are just musical boxes while others serve a dual purpose having a jewelry compartment to keep small treasures. Some have Perspex or glass covers over the mechanism so that the ‘workings’ of the insides can be observed. Yet others have the ubiquitous dancing ballerina much beloved of the very old fashioned boxes.

A really great idea is to find a website offering customized music boxes. They will finish the box in the style that you choose as well as inserting your favorite tune. Even if the tune you want is not there as standard, for a small extra charge they will make the tune specifically for you. What a smart idea for a gift to your loved one. Not only do they get a useful item, they are also reminded of a special time or place with the addition of that favorite tune.

Many standard tunes will fit the occasion, of course, with modern songs like; ‘A whole new world’, Can you feel the love tonight’ or ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Perhaps you would prefer the old standards like; ‘Auld Lang Sine’, ‘Ave Maria’ or Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. The choice is almost endless and you should be able to find just the right one for the occasion.

Many people collect Christmas themed musical boxes. These also come in many forms from Santa Claus themed boxes to small, old-time houses lit from within. Some play a group of Christmas songs while other play one or two. Many are perfectly sculpted with winter scenes and look great around Christmas time adding to the atmosphere in a delightful fashion.

Thomas Kincade does a beautiful, limited edition, collection of music boxes. Some are animated, but this time the music plays off a compact micro-chip – new technology here! – which anyone would be thrilled to receive. Look these up on the net for a complete list of items available.

Another particularly favored music box is a Santa opening his cloak to display a small, old fashioned village with houses and lamp posts lit up. Many Christmas gift items are on offer so take time to take a look.

Musical items don’t always have to be in the shape of a box. Nor, indeed, do they have to be made of wood either. There are many porcelain or china pieces that are beautifully decorated. Some music boxes come in the form of old-fashioned upright pianos but in miniature. Still others come in the form of a beautifully sculpted egg and are dedicated to a grand-daughter or daughter. Some come in the form of a bunch of flowers in a vase, all in porcelain, which rotates when the music is playing.

What better way to start off a collecting ‘bug’, especially in the younger generation, than to give a classic gift like a musical box. If you team it with a modern, favored tune it will be even more special. Then for every birthday, Christmas or special occasion more can be added to the collection. Get the child involved too by asking which they want – that is if you don’t want it to be a surprise – and they will feel that they have some control over their gifts.

These gifts can become collector’s items if taken care of properly. This is also an opportunity to teach the child to take care of, and treasure, special gifts as well as to keep their personal belongings in order. In other words, teaching the child without showing that you are providing a lesson. Many children do not like authoritarianism, but teaching in this manner means that they will not know that they are being shown what to do. A rather clever ruse!

When deciding on which kind of music box to give or to buy for you come to that, try to imagine what that person would like. What are their usual tastes, do they go overboard at Christmas or are they rather more modern than that. Finding out their favorite tune is always a good way to start and then fitting the most appropriate box to the person; perhaps an elegant, wood box with an engraved plaque or a modern, quirky design that they will treasure, the choice is yours.

Of course, some of the ultra modern marvels will also eventually become collector’s items as well as the much favored older, rarer pieces. Families tend to treasure them and pass them down from generation to generation. It seems that no matter how far forward we go into the future, some of us will always want to remember the past and all it had to offer.
Music boxes have come a long way over the past two hundred years or so. Initially invented in the 18th century, these tuneful little items were intended for snuff boxes. Every time the user would take out his snuff box – very fashionable in those days – he would delight his company with a twinkling tune while offering the open box around.

Of course, snuff boxes were very small and were made to fit into a gentleman’s waistcoat pocket. When the idea to use the same type of technology for entertainment came up, boxes became much larger ranging from table top models to pieces the size of furniture. Don’t forget that in those days there was no electricity and no entertainment of any kind except that which the people themselves made. The invention of the music box was a great step forward in home entertainment. Table top boxes were the most popular since they were somewhat portable in nature.

Some of the more expensive models had interchangeable cylinders while some could play music for up to three hours. The more popular had interchangeable discs which virtually decimated the cylinder varieties.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, automatic pianos which played their own tunes and gramophones became popular. Nowadays, those early twentieth century music boxes have become collector’s items along with some of the music boxes of today.

These days, music boxes come in virtually every shape and form that you can imagine. Some are just musical boxes while others serve a dual purpose having a jewelry compartment to keep small treasures. Some have Perspex or glass covers over the mechanism so that the ‘workings’ of the insides can be observed. Yet others have the ubiquitous dancing ballerina much beloved of the very old fashioned boxes.

A really great idea is to find a website offering customized music boxes. They will finish the box in the style that you choose as well as inserting your favorite tune. Even if the tune you want is not there as standard, for a small extra charge they will make the tune specifically for you. What a smart idea for a gift to your loved one. Not only do they get a useful item, they are also reminded of a special time or place with the addition of that favorite tune.

Many standard tunes will fit the occasion, of course, with modern songs like; ‘A whole new world’, Can you feel the love tonight’ or ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Perhaps you would prefer the old standards like; ‘Auld Lang Sine’, ‘Ave Maria’ or Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. The choice is almost endless and you should be able to find just the right one for the occasion.

Many people collect Christmas themed musical boxes. These also come in many forms from Santa Claus themed boxes to small, old-time houses lit from within. Some play a group of Christmas songs while other play one or two. Many are perfectly sculpted with winter scenes and look great around Christmas time adding to the atmosphere in a delightful fashion.

Thomas Kincade does a beautiful, limited edition, collection of music boxes. Some are animated, but this time the music plays off a compact micro-chip – new technology here! – which anyone would be thrilled to receive. Look these up on the net for a complete list of items available.

Another particularly favored music box is a Santa opening his cloak to display a small, old fashioned village with houses and lamp posts lit up. Many Christmas style items are on offer so take time to take a look.

Musical items don’t always have to be in the shape of a box. Nor, indeed, do they have to be made of wood either. There are many porcelain or china pieces that are beautifully decorated. Some music boxes come in the form of old-fashioned upright pianos but in miniature. Still others come in the form of a beautifully sculpted egg and are dedicated to a grand-daughter or daughter. Some come in the form of a bunch of flowers in a vase, all in porcelain, which rotates when the music is playing.

What better way to start off a collecting ‘bug’, especially in the younger generation, than to give a classic gift like a musical box. If you team it with a modern, favored tune it will be even more special. Then for every birthday, Christmas or special occasion more can be added to the collection. Get the child involved too by asking which they want – that is if you don’t want it to be a surprise – and they will feel that they have some control over their gifts.

These gifts can become collector’s items if taken care of properly. This is also an opportunity to teach the child to take care of, and treasure, special gifts as well as to keep their personal belongings in order. In other words, teaching the child without showing that you are providing a lesson. Many children do not like authoritarianism, but teaching in this manner means that they will not know that they are being shown what to do. A rather clever ruse!

When deciding on which kind of music box to give or to buy for you come to that, try to imagine what that person would like. What are their usual tastes, do they go overboard at Christmas or are they rather more modern than that. Finding out their favorite tune is always a good way to start and then fitting the most appropriate box to the person; perhaps an elegant, wood box with an engraved plaque or a modern, quirky design that they will treasure, the choice is yours.

Of course, some of the ultra modern marvels will also eventually become collector’s items as well as the much favored older, rarer pieces. Families tend to treasure them and pass them down from generation to generation. It seems that no matter how far forward we go into the future, some of us will always want to remember the past and all it had to offer.