Christmas time is here, and that means Christmas shopping (and crafting) is in full swing.
Sometimes it can be challenging to come up with gift ideas for your students. Should you make something, bake something, or buy something?
The possibilities can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that hard!
If you’re looking for some good Christmas gifts for your students, this post is for you. Read on!
Important Note: This post does not contain affiliate links. I am not affiliated with any of the following companies or products, and I do not receive any sort of compensation from them if you purchase something by following the links in this post. I just really like these ideas and wanted to pass them along!
10. A Christmas Ornament
Almost everyone loves Christmas ornaments. Whether you prefer to purchase them or DIY, they’re a fun way to celebrate the season and bring a smile to your students’ faces.
Bonus points if you can find/make an ornament that reminds them of a lesson activity or game they enjoyed this past year!
9. A Sticker Sheet
If there’s one universal truth among music students, it’s that they love stickers. Few things generate more excitement in my studio than a new sticker sheet!
If you’re looking for a gift that your students are sure to love, you might want to check out your local craft store’s sticker selection.
You can go for a Christmas or musical theme, or pick each student’s favorite color, favorite sport or hobby…the possibilities are endless!
8. A Personalized Practice Journal
If you use practice journals in your studio (or you want to start), then this is a fun and practical Christmas gift idea!
There are a ton of options here.
You could buy journals for your students, embellish some plainer ones to make them more personal, or even put one together yourself with some paper and fabric or a 3-ring binder.
7. A New Music Book
Getting new sheet music is always exciting for musicians, and kids are sometimes more motivated to play repertoire that was picked especially for them.
Whether you have hymn lovers, Christmas music fanatics, Broadway enthusiasts, or Disney fans, you’re sure to find something for everyone.
Plus, it’s a great way to spice up your January lessons after the excitement of Christmas is over.
If you’re looking for good place to buy sheet music online, read this post.
6. A DIY Coupon Book
There are variations of these coupon books all over the internet, and they’re a great way to give your student a customized gift that fits them perfectly.
There are endless ideas for coupons.
Maybe you can give each student a coupon to review one of their old pieces that they loved, or learning a new jazz piece, or having you play a Christmas song for them (a common request in my studio!) or hearing one composer story.
Use your imagination and have fun!
5. A Musical Word Search
If you’re students love games and puzzles, then they’re sure to enjoy this.
Musical word searches, crossword puzzles, coloring sheets, etc. are a fun gift with a little bit of review thrown in for good measure (because we teachers just can’t help ourselves).
Teachers Pay Teachers is a fantastic resource for this. They have a ton of music-related activities and worksheets.
4. A Special CD
Sometimes the best way to get our students excited about music is to let them hear it for themselves. Most kids love listening to music.
You could look for some CDs featuring pieces by a composer you’ve studied this year, or a recorded performance of a violin virtuoso (or whatever instrument they play) for a little inspiration.
This is a great gift that your students can enjoy all year round!
3. A Plate of Baked Goods
Kids (and parents!) love getting homemade baked goods at Christmastime.
Whether you pull out your secret family gingerbread recipe or try something new from Pinterest, this one is sure to be a hit.
Just make sure you check for any potential allergies before handing them out!
2. A Musical Picture Book
This is one of my favorite Christmas gifts for students.
Why not combine the love of reading and music with a musical book? There are a ton of these to choose from.
You can find musical books about orchestras, composers, you name it!
Some of my favorite ones are The Story Orchestra series, which walk kids through the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons or Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, or The Nutcracker.
Your students will enjoy reading and listening to these books over and over again!
1. A Candy Sleigh
There are a lot of ways to make these cute little sleighs!
You can use a variety of candy bar sizes, try to stick with a color scheme, or pick a theme like “everything Reese’s” (Again, Pinterest comes in handy here).
Also, a handy tip: candy canes make great sleigh runners.
However you put them together, your students will love them!
What are your favorite Christmas gifts for students? Let us know in the comments!