Holiday Gift Ideas for Large Studios
Every year, I struggle with what to give my students as a token of my appreciation for their hard work when the holidays roll around. I know that giving gifts is not something that I as a studio owner have to do, but it’s something I have enjoyed since I first started out with only a handful of students.
Now that my studio has reached upwards of 50, that complicates my gift-giving efforts just a bit. The homemade DIY gifts I used to give were time consuming and on the expensive side, and even just a few dollars per student adds up quickly.
So in the last two years since my studio exploded (in a good way), I’ve come up with a couple different gift ideas that are practical both financially and time-wise.
The framed “Keep Calm” signs pictured below have been conversation pieces amongst my students since I decorated my piano with them in the summer of 2011. So as my holiday gift last year, I gave my students their own “keep calm” sign in a simple frame, to be placed in their practice area. Kellan (pictured above, thanks to his mom!) and most of my other students have been happy to receive their gift, and excited to display it just as I do in my studio.
I gave different framed signs to my students, based upon whether they study piano, voice or guitar. I created the sign myself using computer software, and then had them printed as 4×6 photos at Walgreens — cheap and easy. The frames were purchased for less than $2 a piece at Hobby Lobby.
This year, I took advantage of a giant sale at Vistaprint (my favorite resource for printed marketing materials). Now through December 3rd, they are offering wall calendars for $4 each, so I designed my own calendar full of quotes about music for each one of my students. The total cost was just a little over $200, and it was a fun and simple process.
Other gift ideas include personalized ornament magnets (I use decorate stickers of the student’s first initial), practice notebooks, and water bottles. Do you have any reasonable gift ideas for to add to the list?
Pam Wenzel
I’ve been giving treats the past few years. We have so many students that it’s become tough to give more expensive presents! In the past, when I had a few students, I could give them a Christmas music book or something more expensive.
Suzanne Greer
Great ideas – thanks for sharing! I have kept my gift giving quite simple and very inexpensive. At our holiday recital, I give out candy canes and a fun pencil to all of the kids. Those kids who participated and finished a summer challenge receive special awards. So, I don’t give out a gift to everyone. This year, however, I had over 20 kids that met their challenges. I gave them each a composer statuette (about $5.00 available from Willis music – Hal Leonard). They really seem to enjoy these and want to build on their collections. It was neat because I was able to match up the composers of pieces they performed!
Diane
Great idea! I love the frames. What type of software did you use for the piano one? I would love to make those for my students this year. Thanks!