5 Ways to Give the Gift of Music

By Anne Sullivan

It can be hard to find the perfect gift, especially a gift for the special adults in your life. But you have a big advantage over most people. Why? Because you play the harp.

If you haven’t ever thought of your harp playing as a gift you could give someone, I’d like to help you rethink it. Harp music is special; we harpists all know that. It’s unique; how many people do you know who play the harp? And it’s something that is important to you. That makes it personal and extra meaningful both to you and to the person who receives it. 

If giving the gift of your music sounds like a good idea to you, I’d like to help by suggesting a few ways you could “package” it. 

1. Make a holiday greeting card. Make a video of you playing a holiday song and send it along with a greeting as a video card to the special people in your life. A tip here: sharing it on social media is great, but it’s less personal than a video sent by email. Think about how you can make your greeting special for the person you’re sending it to.
2. Plan a special “command performance.” You know there will be company coming to your house over the holidays. You also know your parents wish you would play your harp for them, but it’s not something you really like to do. Surprise everyone this time by actually offering ahead of time to play a piece for your family’s guests. 
3. Have an open door policy. This one is an easy one. Play some holiday pieces - or maybe just some of your favorite pieces - and open your practice room door to let the whole house hear them. Your music can be the magical musical background anytime your family’s ready to be in the holiday mood. 
4. Play your parents’ favorite song for them. Does your mom or dad or grandparent have a favorite piece of music? Find or make an arrangement of it, practice it, and play it just for them. You could make a video or just play it “live.” You’ll enjoy practicing it in secret and then surprising them with it. It’s a very special gift that is uniquely yours to give.
5. Share the harp happiness. Look around your community and consider those who can’t get out to hear live music. Perhaps they are in a nursing facility or a retirement community. Perhaps there are shut-ins that are part of your wider circle of friends and family. It might seem a bit of a chore to lug your harp to wherever they are, but the smiles and thanks (and maybe even some cookies!) that you will get in return will show you how valuable this gift is to them. Remember to make arrangements in advance with the facility you want to visit.

I hope those ideas have inspired you to share your special gift with the special people in your life. Happy and harp-y holidays!