Ballet moms, any gift ideas?

[GailV]

Dd, age 13, started classes last year, and LOVES it.

 

Any ideas for Christmas gifts? Websites that I could browse for fun items? We have a local dance shop, but the gift items are more geared towards ages 5-10.

 

Any books or DVDs that would be good? I'm thinking about things that would familiarize her with plots of the major ballets OR would be about the world of ballet in general OR would be some sort of cross-training she could do at home (eg core strength or something like Perfect Pointe or Front Splits Fast). But, sheesh, so much of what's out there in print or on DVD seems of questionable worth.

[TCoppock]

I am not a dance mom, but was a dancer for many years. I'm not current with books or DVD's out. The NY City Ballet use to have a DVD (possibly several) of actual classes. They were advance level classes but very good IIRC.

 

For Christmas you could take your DD to a professional performance of the Nutcracker, ballet sweaters are nice to have, a Degas replica or calendar if they sell one, maybe some new clothes or shoes.

 

Currently Living Social has a 20 for 40 Danskin offer going on that might help.

 

I'll update if I can think of any further ideas.

 

Needed to add this book. It was one of my favorites growing up. It is about a ballerina in the Vienna State Opera during Nazi times.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Waltz-Ending-Emma-MacAlik-Butterworth/dp/0590444409

[Farrar]

My ballet dancer is a boy... and younger. :) But all the teen girls at his studio have cute ballet bags and outfits to put over their dance clothes and leg warmers and so forth. If she doesn't have gear like that, I'd go with that.

[BigMamaBird]

Do you have a production of the Nutcracker preforming nearby? That might be a really fun Christmas gift. Or depending where you live, maybe tickets to a professional ballet company show in a month or two.

[redsquirrel]

Hairnets and bobby pins? Leg warmers? Dancers always need more tights.

 

Oh, what about one of those cute little ballet wrap sweaters? I love those. The girls often wear them in class in the colder weather. They don't make a boy equivalent and I know my son would appreciate the extra warmth.

[Ali in OR]

Last year my dds got bags for their dance stuff, and I included another bag like a travel toiletries bag that was full of the stuff we need to put their hair up: little bag of straight pins, comb, hairspray, hairbands, hairnets. It's been very handy to have all of the stuff in one place. This is the bag I got them (one pink, one black with purple trim):

 

http://www.amazon.com/Adidas-Alliance-Sackpack-Electricity-Bright/dp/B0071J9ADG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354725200&sr=8-2&keywords=adidas+backpack

 

It's not specifically a dance bag but it works well for us.

[lisabees]

Dd9 is a serious dancer. A dance bag is a great idea. Dd actually asked for more; she likes to switch when she's bored. She will be getting cheap ones (because of the switching), but many of the older girls have Vera Bradley bags. Our local Hallmark store always has a great selection of Vera Bradley clearance items.

 

New leotards, tights, leg warmers, sweaters, hairnets, bun bobby pins. How about Mukluks? The older girls all have them. They are at Marshall's in the shoe section for under $15.

 

Another idea are therabands. Buy this book, but get Bunheads bands, as they are much better quality.

 

I would also highly recommend The Perfect Pointe Book (and any other products) from Lisa Howell. We have had great success with them. She provides lots of great info and exercises to strengthen feet and core and flexibility.

 

There are some great documentaries our family loves. The Dancer, Ballerina, Children of Theatre Street, Dancing Across Borders. First Position is a recent documentary she would probably love. Maybe Breaking Pointe's first season is on dvd? She would also like Australia's Dance Academy series. Because it's about teens, I won't allow dd to watch it yet. Oh - and Mao's Last Dancer.

 

Does she like to workout? The NYC Ballet has a workout dvd.

 

As far as books, The Ballet Companion is a must! There aren't many fictional series. Ballet Shoes etc and Noel Streatfeild. There is also the Royal Ballet School Diaries. I haven't read them; they may be too young. If she is learning Vaganova, I know of some other books.

 

Hope some of this helps!

 

ETA: Forgive me for not reading the end of your post. You already know about Lisa Howell. How about buying her some classes from Ballet Beautiful? Like Lisa Howell, Deborah Vogel has some books that we like. And she happens to teach my son's college. :)

[GailV]

Dd9 is a serious dancer. A dance bag is a great idea. Dd actually asked for more; she likes to switch when she's bored. She will be getting cheap ones (because of the switching), but many of the older girls have Vera Bradley bags. Our local Hallmark store always has a great selection of Vera Bradley clearance items.

 

New leotards, tights, leg warmers, sweaters, hairnets, bun bobby pins. How about Mukluks? The older girls all have them. They are at Marshall's in the shoe section for under $15.

 

Another idea are therabands. Buy this book, but get Bunheads bands, as they are much better quality.

 

I would also highly recommend The Perfect Pointe Book (and any other products) from Lisa Howell. We have had great success with them. She provides lots of great info and exercises to strengthen feet and core and flexibility.

 

There are some great documentaries our family loves. The Dancer, Ballerina, Children of Theatre Street, Dancing Across Borders. First Position is a recent documentary she would probably love. Maybe Breaking Pointe's first season is on dvd? She would also like Australia's Dance Academy series. Because it's about teens, I won't allow dd to watch it yet. Oh - and Mao's Last Dancer.

 

Does she like to workout? The NYC Ballet has a workout dvd.

 

As far as books, The Ballet Companion is a must! There aren't many fictional series. Ballet Shoes etc and Noel Streatfeild. There is also the Royal Ballet School Diaries. I haven't read them; they may be too young. If she is learning Vaganova, I know of some other books.

 

Hope some of this helps!

 

ETA: Forgive me for not reading the end of your post. You already know about Lisa Howell. How about buying her some classes from Ballet Beautiful? Like Lisa Howell, Deborah Vogel has some books that we like. And she happens to teach my son's college. :)

 

 

 

We also have some of Deborah Vogel's stuff around here somewhere, believe it or not. Dds used to be in Irish Dance, which has almost NO work on technique, so I amassed stuff on my own to help them safely built ankle strength and turn out. Also, I like to geek out on physiology books.

 

These have all been great ideas. Thanks so much to everyone. Of course, I'm still open to new ideas, too! :001_smile:

[lisabees]

 

 

We also have some of Deborah Vogel's stuff around here somewhere, believe it or not. Dds used to be in Irish Dance, which has almost NO work on technique, so I amassed stuff on my own to help them safely built ankle strength and turn out. Also, I like to geek out on physiology books.

 

These have all been great ideas. Thanks so much to everyone. Of course, I'm still open to new ideas, too! :001_smile:

 

 

Ha! I assumed you were new to dance, so I didn't bother with the physiology book suggestions. LOVE those too!

 

So, it seems like you may know more than I do. I should be asking you for suggestions! :laugh:

[Pippen]

My daughter has several nice ballet charms for her charm braclet. Here's the selection at Macy's:

http://www1.macys.com/search/index.ognc?SearchTarget=*&cm_sp=navigation-_-top_nav-_-search&Keyword=ballet+charm&KEYWORD_GO_BUTTON.x=0&KEYWORD_GO_BUTTON.y=0

[KungFuPanda]

If she doesn't have one, get her a garment bag with some pockets for safely transporting costumes to and from recitals. It's a real lifesaver to be able to put your stuff on a communal rack, but still keep it separate. A nice stage make-up kit would also be nice. Generally, your everyday make-up and colors don't translate well to harsh stage lighting.

[HollyDay]

Dd has asked for the Royal Birmingham's Cinderella dvd for Christmas. She also likes leg warmers, short "ballet" sweaters, hair bun holders, charms to put on her ballet bag zipper.