☃️🎵Free and Low-Prep Activities for Your Choir in December
December can be a whirlwind for music teachers. After concerts are over, you may find yourself looking for meaningful and fun activities to keep your students engaged before winter break. If you’re short on time and resources, don’t worry—there are plenty of free and low-prep options to make the most of the season.
Here are some of my favorite free ideas!
1. 🎄🎶Caroling Around Your School and Community
Caroling is an easy way to spread holiday cheer and showcase your choir’s talent. Start by organizing a short set of songs that your students know well and can perform confidently. Then, schedule visits to different areas of your school, such as the front office, cafeteria, or classrooms. If your schedule allows, take your choir to perform at local nursing/retirement homes.
2. 🐘🎁White Elephant Gift Exchange
Add a little fun and laughter to your classroom with a White Elephant Gift Exchange. My choirs look forward to this each year! Encourage students to bring a wrapped gift from home. No money can be spent and students can get very creative in their wrapping of the present. Gifts can be funny, practical, or completely random! During the exchange, students take turns selecting gifts or "stealing" from others. If you have a larger group, read a “left/right” story where students each hold a present and pass the direction that is read during the story.
3. 🎄🎥Holiday Movie Night
Host a movie night for your choir to relax and bond after a busy concert season. Choose a classic holiday movie—The Polar Express, Elf, or Home Alone are always crowd-pleasers. Or let your choir vote! Create a sign-up sheet for students to bring snacks, hot chocolate, and other goodies, potluck style. This low-prep activity is a perfect reason to celebrate together!
4. 🔔🎵Ring the Salvation Army Bell
Encourage your students to give back to the community by volunteering to ring the Salvation Army bell at a local store. You can even incorporate caroling into the event and spread holiday joy while teaching students the importance of service.
5.💌🎄 Create Holiday Cards
Have your students create holiday cards for residents at local nursing homes, hospital staff, or community service workers. Bonus points if you can deliver the card with a carol.
6. 🔔🎤Host a Karaoke Day
Dedicate a class period to a holiday-themed karaoke session. Let students perform their favorite holiday songs solo or in groups. It’s a fun way to keep everyone singing and enjoying themselves without the pressure of a formal performance. Karaoke tracks can be easily found on YouTube!
7. 🎅🎼Secret Santa for Songs
Instead of a traditional Secret Santa, have students anonymously choose a classmate (or another teacher) and dedicate a short musical performance or personalized lyric rewrite to them during class. It’s creative, free, and entertaining! This could also easily be done in small groups.
8. ✨❄️Decorate the Choir Room
Set aside time for students to decorate the classroom with holiday or winter-themed décor. Provide simple supplies like paper, markers, and string lights, or ask students to bring items from home.
December doesn’t have to feel like a scramble to fill time after concerts. These free and low-prep activities are not only fun but also build community, foster teamwork, and create lasting memories and traditions for your students. Whether you’re singing carols, exchanging gifts, or serving your community, your choir will appreciate the chance to unwind and celebrate the season together.
Happy Singing! 🎤🌟
