Make Holidays Count In Your Studio!

Make Your Studio Thrive Strategies
Written by Becky Allen
 
 

Never underestimate the power of incentivizing!

Every fall, a student asks me when the Halloween candy bowl is coming out. Kids remember the smallest details. It’s something tiny, only for a month (and again in December with various candy cane flavors), and my students ALL look forward to earning that piece of candy after their lesson.

So use the holidays to drive incentives when you can. Make it special for the kids and they’ll come back every week excited, with something to look forward to each holiday.

Don’t break the bank. Keep it super simple, but plan ahead. I’m already thinking about a little something for my students for Christmas, and it’s only October.

Here’s what I do in my studio, holiday by holiday.

Halloween: The Candy Basket

Put out a candy basket and let students pick their piece before the lesson, for two reasons:

  1. They don’t forget to grab it before they leave.

  2. That candy sitting right in front of them helps them stay focused during the lesson.

You can also tie it to practice. A student who had a great week gets to choose first, or picks an extra piece. The reward stays small, but the connection between effort and payoff is clear.

Thanksgiving: Turkey Treats

A little homemade treat goes a long way. I make these turkey cookies, and you don’t have to make a whole plate for the whole family. A single treat just for your student is plenty. It says “I thought of you,” which is what they remember.

Incentives That Keep Students Practicing

Holiday Practice Challenge Kit — Set 1

Treats get students excited to walk in the door. A practice challenge keeps them consistent between lessons. This done-for-you holiday kit has structured daily goals and a visual tracker, ready to print and hand out. Pair it with your candy basket and watch the holiday season become your most consistent practice stretch of the year.

Get the Holiday Kit →

Christmas: Candy Canes and a Gift for Every Student

December gets a candy cane plate, and I love putting out a few different flavors.

I also plan a Christmas gift for each student. In our house I have hidden horns and pianos on my tree, and I add to it year after year. I’ve started the same tradition for my students: each one gets an ornament for their own tree. Year after year, they can build a collection of music-themed ornaments. Any gift works, big or small. The consistency is what counts.

Planning tip: Decide your gift and budget in October, not the week before the holiday break. You’ll find better prices, avoid the rush, and won’t be scrambling.

And remember, track every one of these purchases for your studio expense records. Your bookkeeping system is where those candy, cookie, and gift receipts belong. Ask your tax professional what qualifies for your situation.

Take the Stress Out of Studio Finances

Successful Music Studio Bookkeeping Mini Course

Student gifts, treats, supplies, recital costs: they all add up through the year. This mini course shows you exactly how to track your studio income and expenses, organize receipts, and stay tax-ready all year long, so you're not untangling it all in April.

$299 · lifetime access

Get the Bookkeeping Mini Course →

Valentine’s Day: Heart Cookies

I like to make a big batch of sugar cookies. Because they’re easier to make as a batch, each family gets a plate of cookies. This is the one holiday where I treat the whole family, and parents love it.

Easter: Mini Baskets

I use little mini Easter baskets filled with candy. Super simple and low cost, and students are always excited to get one.

Done-for-You Student Resource

Spring Practice Challenge Kit — Set 1

Heading into spring recital season? This done-for-you challenge kit keeps students practicing consistently from January through performance day. Just print, hand out, and watch your students show up more prepared every week.

$37.50 · instant download

Get the Spring Kit →

The Year-Round Plan

Here’s the whole year at a glance:

  • Halloween: Candy basket, picked before the lesson

  • Thanksgiving: One homemade turkey treat per student

  • Christmas: Candy cane plate plus an ornament or small gift

  • Valentine’s Day: A plate of heart cookies per family

  • Easter: Mini baskets filled with candy

None of it is expensive, and none of it takes long. But your students will remember it, and that’s what keeps them excited to walk through your door week after week. Small traditions are one of the most underrated retention tools in a private studio.

Happy Teaching!

Becky

Becky Allen
Previous

Halloween Week Lesson Plan
Next

Successful Music Studio Bookkeeping Mini Course