Easy Christmas Songs to Play on Guitar: A Beginner’s Guide

The holiday season has a way of making music feel extra special. Picture sitting by a glowing tree, strumming familiar tunes while family and friends sing along.

Think you need years of practice to play Christmas songs? Think again. Many of the classics are built on simple chords that sound festive even with beginner strumming.

This guide will walk you through the essentials: must-know chords, helpful gear, simple strumming patterns, and a full list of easy Christmas songs you can play, ranked by difficulty.

By the end, you’ll be ready to bring a little holiday cheer to your next gathering.

Your Christmas Guitar Essentials

Before you jump into songs, it helps to know a few basics: the chords you’ll need, the right accessories, and a couple of easy strumming patterns that work for nearly every carol.

Must-Know Chords for Christmas Carols

Most Christmas songs share a handful of familiar chords. If you already know G, C, and D, you’re off to a strong start. Add Em and Am to your toolkit and you’ll unlock dozens of holiday favorites.

• G Major: A warm chord that’s the backbone of many songs.
• C Major: Another essential, often paired with G in carols.
• D Major: A bright chord that fits perfectly in festive songs.
• Em: A minor chord that adds mood and depth.
• Am: Another easy minor chord, often showing up in slower songs.

To make your playing more colorful, you can sprinkle in a couple of beginner-friendly “spice” chords:

• D7: Adds a jazzy or gospel flavor to your strumming.
• Fmaj7: A great substitute for the tricky barre F chord. You get that F sound without cramping your hand.

And, don’t forget your secret weapon: the capo. This handy tool clamps on the fretboard, letting you change the song’s key without learning harder chords.

If a tune feels too low or too high for your voice, a capo can save the day.

Essential Accessories & Strumming Patterns

Before we hit the songs, let’s talk gear and rhythm.

Essential Accessories

You don’t need much, but a couple of basics make learning smoother:

• Pick: Gives you a crisp, bright strum that cuts through singing.
• Tuner: Nothing kills the Christmas mood like an out-of-tune guitar. A clip-on tuner or a free phone app works fine.

Essential Strumming Patterns

Strumming sets the feel of the song. These two patterns cover most carols:

• The Universal “Campfire” Strum (4/4): Down - Down - Up - Down - Up
• The Simple “Waltz” Strum (3/4): Down - down-up - down-up

Once you’ve got these in your muscle memory, you’ll be able to tackle almost any holiday tune.

The Christmas Carol Hit List: Easy Songs for Every Level

Here’s where the fun begins. Below is a tiered list of 20 easy Christmas songs, starting with the simplest three-chord classics and moving up to slightly fuller arrangements.

Super Simple Starters (Mainly 3-Chord Songs)

These are your best picks if you’re just starting out. With only G, C, and D in hand, you’ll be able to strum along confidently.

1. Jingle Bells: Probably the easiest holiday tune. Play it fast or slow, and everyone will sing along.
2. Joy to the World: Bright and lively, built on repetitive chord shapes.
3. We Wish You a Merry Christmas: Short, fun, and instantly recognizable.
4. Deck the Halls: Upbeat and perfect for practicing steady strumming.
5. Mary Had a Baby: A simple spiritual with a timeless feel.

Expanding Your Repertoire (4+ Chords)

Ready for a little challenge? These songs add chords like Em, Am, and D7. They’re still beginner-friendly, but will stretch your skills.

6. Silent Night: Slow and gentle, a great chance to practice clean chord changes.
7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Playful and fun, perfect for kids to sing along.
8. Feliz Navidad: Repetitive, but super catchy. Great practice switching between G, C, and D.
9. O Christmas Tree: A classic with easy chord transitions.
10. Away in a Manger: A calm, flowing song that pairs beautifully with the waltz strum.
11. The First Noël: A little longer, but still manageable with open chords.
12. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: A bit more upbeat, introducing D7 into the mix.
13. Frosty the Snowman: Stick to the beginner version that avoids F, and you’ll be fine.

Modern Holiday Hits (Simplified)

These radio favorites usually have more complex arrangements, but you can strip them down to simple chord progressions.

14. Last Christmas (Wham!): Just four chords repeating, great for steady strumming.
15. Jingle Bell Rock: A little faster, but the chords are straightforward.
16. Blue Christmas: Slow and moody, built on simple major and minor chords.
17. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: Lively but repetitive, easy once you lock in the rhythm.
18. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town: Energetic and fun, still playable with basic shapes.
19. Winter Wonderland: Works beautifully with the waltz strum.
20. All I Want for Christmas Is You (Simplified): The stripped-down version focuses on a few repeating chords. Perfect for beginners who want to try a modern favorite.

Pro Tips for a Holly Jolly Performance

Learning the songs is one thing. Playing them confidently in front of others is another. Here are some tips to keep you relaxed and ready:

• Start Slow, Play Confidently: Don’t rush. Clean chord changes matter more than speed.
• Practice Chord Transitions First: Before strumming, drill the changes until your fingers move without thinking.
• Hum or Sing Along: Even if you’re not a singer, humming helps you feel the rhythm and chord changes.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Simplify: Skip tricky chords if you need to. It’s better to keep the music flowing.
• Short Practice Sessions Work Best: Fifteen minutes a day beats a marathon session once a week.
• Playing in a Group? Stick to a steady rhythm. Your role is to keep everyone together.
• Most of All, Have Fun: Smiles are worth more than perfect technique.

Where to Find More Help & Tutorials

Once you’ve learned a few songs, you might find yourself wanting a little extra guidance. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources that can help you polish your playing and expand your holiday setlist.

One of the easiest places to start is YouTube. Simply type in the name of a song, followed by “easy guitar tutorial,” and you’ll find dozens of step-by-step lessons.

These videos are especially helpful if you’re a visual learner who likes to see exactly where fingers go on the fretboard and how the strumming should sound in real time.

Another great option is checking out chord charts and tabs online. Websites like Ultimate Guitar have huge libraries of Christmas songs arranged by skill level.

When browsing, look for versions that are marked as “beginner” and have a high rating from other users.

This ensures you’re working with a reliable chord sheet that matches the way the song is actually played. Between video lessons and chord charts, you’ll have all the tools you need to keep learning and building confidence with your guitar.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far, you’re ready to become the family guitarist for the holidays. You now know the chords, the strums, and at least twenty songs you can bring to life.

Whether it’s “Jingle Bells” at a kids’ party or “Silent Night” on Christmas Eve, you’ll be the one setting the mood with your guitar.

From all of us at Guitarspace.org, have a wonderful holiday season and happy strumming!

What’s your favorite Christmas song to play on guitar? Did we miss an easy one? Share your go-to holiday tune in the comments below…we’d love to hear it.