Christmas Gifts For Dancers

I can’t count the number of times I’ve painstakingly stitched shut a hole in my tights to keep from buying a new pair, or used a toothpick to scrape the last of the lip stain out of its tube and get one more use. I’ve literally worn shoes through to the floor because each pair is £200.

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: dance is expensive. Between the hours in the studio, athletic wear that actually holds up, speciality shoes, and competition fees, the monthly bill can climb pretty high. And considering that most dancers live and breathe their craft, it might seem obvious to try and offset these costs on gift-giving occasions.

Helpful as it may be, sometimes it can be tiring to constantly receive pigeonholed gifts. A dancer can only have so many ballerina Christmas ornaments before it’s too much.

If you still want to support your dancer’s, considering the following options for gifts as they are sure to you get in you their good graces without making you a dull-gift offender.

Tools

Like any other craft, dancers have tools they use to elevate their trade. Any of the following would be enviable additions to a studio bag:

Hair Accessories

It goes without saying that a dancer can never have too many hair ties, bun nets or hairpins. So get your dancers a collection of hair accessories to make sure they are fully prepared for another year full of endless dance rehearsals. Click here to shop First Positions range of Hair Accessories.

High-End Makeup and Accessories

Most dancers require makeup for their performances, and a lot of us stick to drugstore brands — not because we prefer them, but because they’re more affordable than luxury lines. Give a dancer make-up they wouldn’t treat themselves to, or buy brushes and brush cleaner to make the process that much more enjoyable.

Bluetooth Headphones or Speaker

There’s always going to be times a dancer needs to practice and doesn’t have control of the stereo. Bluetooth headphones designed for athletes (to stay in place) work around practicing in a busy studio, and speakers are ideal for impromptu practice sessions and dance parties, whichever happens to arise.

Self-Care

A dancer’s body is the most important tool of the trade, but long studio hours and physically taxing rehearsals can leave their mark. Give your dancer the gift of quiet time and some personal pampering to make them feel ready to conquer whatever combination comes next.

Spa Day Essentials

For the perfect at-home spa day, gather a few items to create an indulgent experience. Look for scented candles with calming aromas, epsom salts or bath oils, essential oils for tension and muscle soreness, and exfoliating gloves.

Massage

An at-home spa day is great, but relaxing and letting someone work away all that extra muscle tension is even more amazing. Check chiropractic or physical therapy offices for massage therapists trained to work with athletes.

Excessively Comfy Shoes

There may be no better feeling than taking off dance shoes after several hours of practice and stepping into a cushioned slice of heaven in the form of a shoe. Memory foam flip-flops or hard-soled (but still fluffy) slippers are my favourite post-practice footwear, depending on the season.

Celebration

Dancers wouldn’t spend so much time in the studio learning how to turn five times in a row if we didn’t love our craft. There is so much dedication and expression dripping from every dancer that they deserve to be celebrated.

Photoshoot or Photobook

Dancing is such an aesthetic pastime that every dancer I’ve ever known has coveted pictures of their favourite routines, poses, and shows. Gifting a photoshoot allows your dancer to capture the movements that mean the most to them in an artistic way. Similarly, a photo book of pictures you’ve snapped throughout their dance journey creates memories that are guaranteed to be treasured.

Custom Journal

Finding a simple, elegant journal or having one embossed for your dancer will give them a place to keep all their lesson notes, choreography ideas, and practice checklists. Bonus points for a mix of paper types — I use lined, grid, and blank pages in my journal! First Position stock a range of stationery and books perfect for little dancers. Click here to shop now.

Private Lessons

We all have idols in the dance world, along with those teachers we love but can’t afford. Find out who your dancers love, and get them some one-on-one time with their favourite instructors.

Freedom

Cost can be a limiting factor for dancers trying to achieve performance or competition goals. Similarly, getting typecast as a dancer can cast a shadow over other goals. Sometimes, dancers need a little help to move towards one or the other.

International Training

I’m not suggesting you splurge on an all-inclusive overseas trip, but if your dancer has their eye set on training in another country, touring academies, auditioning, or joining a troupe with international dates, there are a lot of options. Helping out with fees for things like a performer’s visa or audition fees can help lighten the load.

Domestic Travel

Offering to help with travel expenses like hotel rooms, food, or airfare while your dancer is touring prospective colleges or going on an audition circuit can help open doors to opportunities that may not be available in your geographic area. Airline flash sales can be super helpful here.

Anything But Dance

Yes, those of us who live in a dance world do so willingly and at the expense of many other aspects of a normal human life. However, that doesn’t mean that dancers are all we are. Sometimes the greatest gift is to come home from a 4-hour tech rehearsal and just let dance go. Nurturing the option to be something other than a dancer will be an amazing gift. Especially to a teen dancer who may not pursue dance after school.

These gift ideas can be leveraged for much more than just the Christmas holidays, and with proper planning, you should be set for the next 5-10 years of gifts for your dancer! Let us know how your perfect present goes over.