Easy Christmas Guitar Songs for Beginners

Christmas songs are some of the best first songs to learn on guitar. They're slow, everyone knows how they go, and most of them need only three or four chords. Here are four to start with, the chords you need for each, and some advice on having them ready by Christmas Day.

Why Christmas songs suit beginners

• You already know the tune. You can hear straight away whether a chord change landed in the right place.
• The chords are simple. Three open chords cover most of the songs below.
• There's a deadline and an audience. Nothing gets a guitar out of its case like knowing the family will want a song after lunch.

Four songs to start with

All four are written here in the key of G, so the same handful of chords keeps coming back.

1. Silent Night uses G, D7 and C. It's in three time, so count "1, 2, 3" in each bar. Start with one slow strum per bar and move to three once the changes feel safe. It's the gentlest song on the list and the best place to begin.

2. Jingle Bells uses G, C and D7 for the chorus. It's in four time and moves faster, but the chords change slowly, which gives you time to get ready for each one. The full version adds an A7 just before the last line; leave it out at first and nobody will notice.

3. We Wish You a Merry Christmas uses G, C, A7, D7, B7 and Em. That's six chords and a change almost every bar, so treat this one as a challenge for when the first two are comfortable. It's also in three time.

4. Deck the Halls is mostly G, C and D7, and many versions add an Em and an A7 in the third line. The "fa la la" sections repeat the same pattern, so once you've learned one you've learned them all.

You'll find chord charts for all of these on sites such as Ultimate Guitar. Look for versions marked easy, in the key of G.

Getting them ready in time

• Learn the shapes first. G, C and D7 are enough for three of the four songs. Practise each chord on its own until every string rings.
• Practise the changes, not the song. Swap slowly between two chords, back and forth, for a minute at a time. The changes are what trip beginners up, not the strumming.
• Keep going. If a chord comes out wrong, carry on to the next one in time. Stopping and restarting is the habit that's hardest to unlearn.
• Use a capo if you want to sing. If the song sits too low for your voice, a capo on the second or third fret raises it without your having to learn any new chords.
• Start in good time. Ten minutes a day from the start of December beats a panicked hour on Christmas Eve.

Once these feel comfortable, our guide to beginner guitar techniques covers the strumming and fingerpicking skills that make them sound better.

Giving music lessons as a Christmas present

A guitar or keyboard under the tree is a lovely present. It's also one that often ends up under the bed by February, because nobody showed its owner what to do with it. A few lessons alongside the instrument change that.

If you're thinking of giving lessons, a few things are worth knowing:

• Tempo Tuition arranges one-to-one guitar, piano, singing and drum lessons in Bristol, for children from around seven and for adults.
• You can book single lessons or a block of 3, 6 or 10. A small block makes a manageable present.
• Every first lesson is commitment-free, so the person you're buying for can meet their tutor before anything more is booked.
• If you're buying the instrument as well, our guide to Bristol's music shops covers where to try one in person.

Not sure whether a child is ready? Read what age a child should start music lessons. When you're ready, request a call back and tell us it's a present, so the first lesson can be timed for after Christmas.

Festive listening

For inspiration, here's a festive guitar cover: