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It’s free, so spend time on it -

While getting a gift someone spent a lot of money on can be flattering, it doesn’t compare to the feeling of knowing someone spent a lot of time making a gift. What you don’t spend in money you should spend in time and effort!

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Treat it like a time capsule -

Don’t shy away from putting in some currently popular tracks. When you look back on the playlist, it will serve as a kind of time capsule for where you both were at in your lives.

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Write a letter with the tracklist -

This touch is what helps elevate a playlist to a thoughtful, sentimental, sweet gesture. Using the song names in the tracklist, try to write a short letter in the “liner notes” of the mix that incorporate the titles in order, then underline them for a very impressive creative choice!

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Focus on memories -

If you aren’t sure where to start, one of the best places to look is your memories. Maybe there was a time when you and your loved one rocked out to a song in the car, or maybe there’s a song that you both bonded over for some reason. Those are easily secured spots on the playlist.

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Keep it to an hour or around 15 songs -

You might find reaching an hour difficult, or that you have way too many songs, but an hour is enough to give someone a solid amount of material while also not overwhelming them.

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Decide on a mood -

Or two! You don’t have to stick to one genre or only upbeat or downbeat, but it might be helpful to focus your playlist on a mood—be it “golden oldies” or “sunshine indie-pop” or “smooth and romantic R&B.”

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The first song is the most important -

This is the song that will establish the theme and deliberately put them in the mood you want them to be in. Be intentional about this song choice, from the title to the lyrics, the energy to the BPM.

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Structure it like a flight -

You don’t want to make a playlist that gives the listener aural whiplash. Start with something easy and inviting, then slowly work your way up to the more upbeat songs, then let them off gently, like a flight, as NPR's Bobby Carter describes it.

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Make cover art -

Whether you’re burning a CD or making a playlist on Spotify, there is always the opportunity to make cover art. Use a photo you love, or better yet, try to design something personal.

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Get creative with occasions -

While it’s nice to give a special someone a playlist for Valentine’s Day or their birthday, consider how awesome it would be to give a best friend a breakup playlist full of songs to make them feel energized. You could give your kid a playlist for their graduation, or give your sibling a playlist if they move away—the options are endless.

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Choose some songs they might not know -

The only gift greater than getting a personalized playlist is getting introduced to your new favorite song.

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Use lyrics to say what you can’t -

Many people aren’t great with words, but the beauty of a carefully curated selection of songs is that you can have some very talented musicians say the things you can’t quite articulate.

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Dip into movie soundtracks -

An amazing perk to music is that it can have attachments to so many memories and moments, as well as movie soundtracks! If you want to add a feeling of a certain moment in a film, or if you and this special someone have a favorite movie together, picking a song from that soundtrack will earn you some serious points.

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It’s not cheating, it’s inspiration -

If you’re really struggling to think of songs off the top of your head, look at other playlists that feature either the mood or songs you already have listed to get a little inspired.

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Don’t be afraid to use interludes -

Many artists put interludes—short tracks between other songs—on their albums, and they can serve as a meaningful pause or as an opportunity to pivot the mood. You can use them for that very same thing! Artists like SZA, Rihanna, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and Kendrick Lamar have all included interludes on their albums with various messages.

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Look for covers of songs -

If you really want to include a high-energy song, say for its memories or its lyrics, but it doesn’t fit with the mood, don’t just toss it aside! Instead, look for a slowed-down cover of the song.

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Make it more advanced -

When considering the sequence of the songs, you can take your playlist to the next level by putting songs together with a strong musical connection, i.e. a similar chord at the end of one song and the beginning of another.

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Experiment with algorithms -

Many music streaming platforms that allow you to create playlists now also offer an “enhance” option that uses the songs already in a playlist to add songs it thinks will fit. Then from there you can delete or add songs according to what you think fits best.

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Consider the other person’s taste -

If you have very different taste from someone, instead of putting music you like on the playlist, choosing music that they’ll like will show them that you really did think deeply about them.

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But take risks -

Putting together a playlist complete with only music that you know someone already likes can be sweet and thoughtful, but then they probably have their own playlists filled with that music already. Show them that you are attentive to what they like, but expand those parameters.

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Have a sense of humor -

You can put two songs next to each other whose titles ask and answer a question or relate to each other in some way, for example.

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Don’t focus too much on titles -

It might pay off when you’re reading the tracklist, but playlists are meant to be listened to. Titles are important and a great tool to play with, but the actual songs are what will leave the most lasting impression.

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Avoid repeat artists -

Unless it’s for a specific reason, try to avoid using two songs from the same artist. Veteran playlist makers agree it’s in bad taste and looks lazy.

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Do your research -

There are so many songs that seem on the surface to be love songs but actually turn out to be an ode to drug addiction, or songs which are popular sing-alongs but turn out to be really creepy. Look up the story behind them before you put them on your playlist.

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Give it a title -

Maybe this customized mix is tied to a certain season or an inside joke, or it’s volume one of a long list of playlists you’re going to make to mark special occasions. But a title is essential, like the wrapping of a present.

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Give yourself enough time -

After you’ve put all the essential songs and you hit a roadblock trying to think of more, stop. Put it aside, and instead of forcing a selection from millions of options, wait for the songs to come to you. The best playlists are made over weeks, months even.

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Listen to it all the way through yourself -

Just looking at the tracklist will give you a very different experience than listening to it, and you may find that one song doesn’t actually fit, or that some rearranging needs to happen, or that it’s too long. Editing is an important step!

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Create a backup playlist -

When creating or editing your playlist, keep discarded songs in a backup playlist. This comes in handy when you realize you actually did want that song you deleted, or when you’re making this special someone another playlist in the future with a more fitting mood.

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Have fun with it -

Instead of treating it like a task, indulge in the opportunity to explore your own relationship with music and take time to understand what makes certain music go well together and what effect music can really have on the emotions.

Sources: (The BU Buzz) (NPR) (The New York Times)

See also: The most unexpected effects of music

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