Christmas Joy and Year-Round Inspiration
Like this but in book form......
Every festive season, there’s a familiar moment of panic.
The main gift is sorted… but the stocking looks suspiciously empty. Thankfully, there’s one gift that never fails to land properly: a good music book.
Music books are wonderfully old-fashioned in the best possible way. They don’t need charging, updating, syncing or pairing. They simply sit there, quietly waiting to be opened, played, explored and returned to again and again. Especially at Christmas, when familiar melodies fill the house, a music book becomes an invitation: sit down, play something, share a moment.
That’s why music books have become one of the most reliable, thoughtful and genuinely exciting festive gifts for musicians of all ages.
Christmas Music Books: Familiar Songs, Instant Joy
Christmas music books have a special power. They remove the pressure from playing and replace it with comfort, nostalgia and connection. These are songs people already know, already love, and already want to hear — which makes them perfect for players of all levels.
Instead of wrestling with unfamiliar material, musicians can open a Christmas book and immediately feel successful. A few bars in, someone starts humming. A chorus arrives, and suddenly the room joins in. That shared experience is priceless, and it’s why Christmas music books come out year after year, never really going out of fashion.
They’re perfect for quiet solo playing, family singalongs, school performances and festive gatherings — and they turn practice time into something celebratory.
So many option for a Christmas sing-a-long
The Really Easy Series: Confidence-Boosting and Brilliant
The Really Easy series has earned its place as a festive favourite for a reason. These books are carefully arranged to be playable without being patronising, making them ideal for beginners, adult learners, and musicians returning to their instrument after a break.
For pianists, titles like Really Easy Piano: Christmas Carols and Really Easy Piano: Christmas Hits are consistently popular. The arrangements are clear and satisfying, allowing players to focus on musicality rather than technical stress. These are books that get used immediately, often straight after unwrapping.
Ukulele players are just as well catered for, with bumper Christmas collections that suit the instrument’s bright, communal nature perfectly. A ukulele Christmas book almost guarantees group singing, laughter and a slightly chaotic but joyful atmosphere — which, frankly, is exactly how Christmas should sound.
A little family gathering around the (digital) piano is always welcome.
The Little Black Songbook Series: Small Book, Big Energy
For guitarists, singers and songwriters, the Little Black Songbook series offers something slightly different. These compact books are packed with songs rather than seasonal novelty, making them ideal for musicians who want inspiration all year round.
They’re perfect for learning new material, jamming with friends, practising at home or scribbling notes in the margins while writing songs. Their pocket-friendly size makes them easy to carry, and their wide range of artists and genres means there’s a Little Black Songbook for almost everyone.
While they may not scream “Christmas”, they’re one of the most-used and best-loved gifts a musician can receive — and that longevity is part of their charm.
Beyond Christmas: Books That Keep Instruments in Hands
One of the quiet strengths of music books as gifts is that they outlast the season. When the decorations come down and routines return, a good book remains. It nudges players back to their instrument, gives structure to practice, and offers new goals to work towards.
From technique guides and theory books to genre collections and song anthologies, music books help musicians deepen their relationship with their instrument. They’re particularly valuable for beginners, who benefit from clear guidance, and for improvers, who want to expand their repertoire.
In an age of endless scrolling, there’s something grounding about opening a book and focusing on music alone.
Why Music Books Make Such Thoughtful Gifts
Music books work so well as gifts because they’re both practical and personal. They show that you’ve thought about how someone plays and what they enjoy, without the risk that comes with buying hardware or instruments.
They’re also refreshingly stress-free. No sizing issues, no compatibility worries, no awkward returns. Just a book, ready to be enjoyed.
They’re ideal for stocking fillers, Secret Santas, teacher gifts, bandmates, and those moments when you want to add “one more little thing” that actually means something.
Final Word: Pages Full of Possibility
In a world of screens, subscriptions and disposable gifts, a music book is something wonderfully tangible. You open it. You play. You learn. You feel connected — to music, to tradition, to joy.
From Really Easy Christmas favourites to Little Black Songbooks and year-round classics, music books are one of the most thoughtful, useful and quietly magical gifts you can give.
Explore the full range of music books at Musicmaker Dublin, in-store and online — and tuck a little inspiration into someone’s stocking this year.
