Piano Gift Guide

Christmas is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about what to buy for the music lover in your life. If you’re wondering how you’re going to fit a piano under the Christmas tree, we have a few tips.

And if your loved one has recently bought a new piano and you’re looking for music-related stocking fillers, we can help with that too.

Should you give a piano as a gift?

Most musicians agree that a piano would be a welcome and much-appreciated gift, but there are some practical things to consider before you start putting a bow on a C Bechstein.

• Does the recipient have space for a piano? They might love the idea of owning an upright piano piano, but practical considerations might have forced them to hold off. In this case, a digital piano might be more suited.

• Can the piano be returned? Even the most well-meaning gift can backfire and you might be left scrambling for the receipt. Always check the returns policy and make sure you don’t buy it too far in advance that the returns window has closed before they have a chance to open it.

• Would a smaller musical gift be more appropriate? Sometimes, a piano is a lovely idea, but the gesture might be too grand. In this case, a smaller gift that supports their piano playing might be more appropriate and meaningful.

Perfect pianos for festive gifting

The choice of piano should really depend on the level of experience of the player. Let’s explore some excellent quality pianos that would suit players of all levels.

To inspire a beginner

Perhaps the recipient has expressed an interest in learning how to play and you want to fan the flames of this passion. A quality instrument that is accessible and affordable – without feeling like a toy – is a great place to start. We recommend an entry-level digital Yamaha P-145 to help inspire and motivate new players.

For dedicated home players

As an upgrade for a portable learner piano, consider a compact upright piano for the ambitious intermediate player. We love a Danemann piano for this exact purpose. Remember that this is an acoustic instrument with a soundboard, so not suitable unless the person has a dedicated practice space. For quiet play, a digital upright like the Kawai KDP-110 is ideal, as it comes with free headphones.

For touring musicians

Those who are already performing and travelling with their instrument will appreciate a touring workhorse, like the Yamaha P-525 or the Nord Grand 2. Be aware that touring musicians may be very precise about what they want in a stage piano, so it might be best to involve them in the surprise.

Music stocking stuffers

You don’t have to part with hundreds to have an impact on a musician's life. You can also choose a range of smaller (and easier to wrap) gifts.

Our favourite stocking fillers for musicians include:

• High quality headphones. Anyone who works in a studio or practice space will tell you how common it is for these to go missing, so a new pair or spare pair will always be welcome. We love the Yamaha HPH-150 Headphones for crisp and tonal sound.

• A new piano stool. A good piano stool can turn a home setup into a premium playing experience. Many also feature a handy storage compartment for housing sheet music. We love the stylish Hidrau BG-50 Piano Stool, available in 3 different colours to match your existing home decor.

• Sheet music. This small gesture can be hugely meaningful. Perhaps you have a favourite artist that you share, or they’ve always shared an ambition to learn how to play a particular song. Sheet music is the perfect stocking filler for the musician in your life.

Tips for hiding your piano until the big day

If you need to hide the piano until closer to Christmas, we may be able to help. We can delay shipping until closer to Christmas, so you don’t have to hide a large instrument for quite as long.

Digital pianos will arrive in a showroom box, which you can store outside of the house until Christmas Day. Perhaps you have a helpful neighbour who would be willing to help keep the surprise a secret? Or maybe you could keep it hidden in a car?

You can also give the gift of a framed photo of their piano, and then arrange delivery for after Christmas (or collect it from a hidden location outside of your home).

For children, we recommend setting up the piano after they have gone to bed and then covering this with a big bow. This will make a big impact when they come downstairs on Christmas morning, and they’ll be able to start playing right away. Just remember to pair their keyboard with headphones so you can enjoy some peace.

Looking for the perfect piano gift? Visit our showroom to explore our range of acoustic and digital pianos, try out different models and find the ideal instrument for the music lover in your life. Our team will be happy to help you choose.