The holidays are right around the corner and we’re here to help you find the perfect gifts for all the dancers and aspiring performers on your shopping list. No matter their dance style of choice, level of experience or number of years in the studio, this week’s TP Top 10 has something for everyone. Go directly to the source through the links below, or use these ideas as a springboard to create gifts all your own!
1. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands, stretch bands, Therabands… No matter what you call them, they are essential for any dancer looking to build healthy flexibility and strength in the new year. Perfect for pointe preparation, increasing mobility and improving jumps, releves and basic alignment, these bands are the perfect addition to any student’s arsenal of training tools.
We Recommend:
Why We Love It:
Made by a trusted name in the dance and theater industry, this band comes in three different weights to accommodate different levels of strength.
2. Dancewear
Everyone loves a new piece of clothing or a new accessory to add to their classwear rotation, right? Whether it’s a cute leotard, athletic pants, cover ups or leg warmers, a new piece of dancewear is always appreciated. Check out our dress code and apparel policies to see what your students need for class this year, then have fun styling the perfect look for 2023!
We Recommend:
Why We Love It:
Avoid any holiday shipping delays and support the local community! The Ballerina Boutique’s goal is to make sure customers receive the perfect fit in all their dancewear, providing hig- quality products at reasonable prices.
3. Theater Tickets
Nothing inspires a student more than seeing a performance live on stage. Perfect for the dancer who already has plenty of things, a theater experience is a gift they’re sure to remember for years to come. Check out which shows are coming soon to Colorado Springs or Denver, then save the date for an afternoon or evening sure to ignite their dreams.
We Recommend:
Starz Theater Company presents: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Why We Love It:
STC will culminate their 10th season with the Biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. Set to music composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber, the story follows Joseph, the 11th and favorite son of Jacob, who is blessed with vivid dreams that foretell the future. A truly timeless Old Testament tale, Joseph is appropriate and entertaining for all audiences and groups. It’s performed hundreds of times a year by schools across North America, the U.K. and around the world, and you can see it next month at the ENT Center!
4. Notebooks/Pens
Journaling and notetaking can be used to deepen dance training and artistic discovery. It can offer a therapeutic outlet, build confidence through goal setting and progress tracking, organize important notes, corrections and exercises, and even be used to build devotions and Bible study around each month’s study verse. Even if your student already has paper and pens, a separate, special dance journal can be a great addition to their dance bag.
We Recommend:
Why We Love It:
This digital download is affordable and provides pre-designed pages that are fully customizable upon request. Just print the file and put them in your favorite 6 x 9” book or binder to get 2023 classes off to a strong start!
5. Studio Merch
Looking for dance gifts that can be used outside the studio? Get more bang for your buck with some Turning Pointe, Starz or FYDC Merch! Representing Turning Pointe and its companies with branded items can inspire unity among students, demonstrate a commitment to their mission and values, and allow for more mileage and use than class-specific items.
We Recommend:
Checking out available items in the studio lobby (in addition to the online logowear store).
Why We Love It:
While the website is fast and convenient, there are often more items to be found in person. Snag an “Easily Distracted by Broadway Musicals” hoodie, Turning Pointe water bottles, STC beanies, and FYDC socks, and more! (You can even get 15 percent off now through December 3!)
6. Foot Rollers
For hard working performers, these portable devices can be used anywhere at any time to soothe aching and tired feet. Does your student have multiple classes in a row? Or head straight from work or school to the studio? Having a foot roller handy in their dance bag is an easy way to alleviate tension, prevent injuries and keep their feet happy and healthy.
We Recommend:
We We Love It:
The perfect size to toss in your bag, the Suffolk Foot Roller comes in multiple colors and allows each student to control the amount of pressure applied. When pressed between the bottom of the foot and the ground, this foot roller massages out any pain or soreness, helping with a quicker recovery to get you back up on your feet.
7. Water Bottles
It’s essential to drink water while dancing, and bringing your own bottle allows you to stay hydrated without disrupting the class with multiple trips to the water fountain. Having a nice water bottle is better for the environment, and it’s a one-time purchase that can keep your dancer healthy for years.
We Recommend:
Personalized Water Bottles (Etsy)
Why We Love It:
In addition to the many colors and sizes to choose from, these personalized bottles can be engraved to further set yourself apart from the other water bottles in the classroom. (It also features a straw-top lid for fewer spills and faster water breaks!) Choose a size, a color and an inscription, then customize it further with a Turning Pointe, Starz or FYDC sticker.
8. Garment Bags
Every student needs a good dance bag, and a garment bag can be a unique twist on a classic dance gift. Recital season will be here before you know it. Make sure your student is prepared to bring home their costumes and keep them nice until the big day!
We Recommend:
Kendall Country Garment Bags (Amazon)
Why We Love It:
They’re waterproof, come in multiple sizes and colors, and even include pockets for shoes, tights, accessories and hair supplies. What more could a performer want?
9. Classes/Camps
What does every dancer want? To dance, of course! Gift enrollment in a mini camp, convention, workshop or special event like Dance With Your Hero (February 11) or Mother Daughter Tea (May 6).
We Recommend:
Younger Students: Mini Camps
Older Students: Dance Revolution, Ignite or Starz Young Performers Summit
Why We Love It:
From first steps to pre-professional training, Turning Pointe has opportunities for everyone. Our youngest students can enroll in a mini camp to give dance a try or enjoy an extra fun, short-term commitment, while older, more advanced students can experience Ignite or attend a convention with Dance Revolution. Interested in seeing what our performing companies are all about? Sign your student up for a Starz Theater Young Performers Summit or the FYDC Mini Camp held each Spring. Ask the front desk staff for details!
10. Photos/Keepsakes
Each time we ask our students about their favorite parts of class, we never fail to celebrate the friendships and community made throughout each dance year. Why not document those connections with a special frame, photo book or album?
We Recommend:
Mixbook (for photo albums/books)
Customizable Photo Frame (Etsy)
Why We Love It:
No matter where their classes take them, these gifts will give them a way to always look back on their time and the lessons they learned in the studio. Create photo books to commemorate senior solos, special performances, stage productions or dance seasons, or follow the link above to display a photo complete with their solo or class recital song.