Start a tradition in your primary and play Christmas Bells every year on the handbells! Take it one step further and sing and ring it in sacrament meeting on Christmas Sunday!

Christmas Bells Singing Time Idea
If you are looking for a simple way to sing Christmas Bells in singing time, I can’t recommend handbells for this Christmas primary song enough!
Make sure to check out my post HERE for using handbells in primary. Especially if you are unfamiliar with handbells or need details to purchase some.

Only the basic 8-note set is required! Perfect for your starter handbell set! This is what the handbell chart for the descant looks like:


Play in Sacrament Meeting

Choose a Handbell Choir
- First time with singing only
- Second time with bell ringers only
- Third time everything together.
It’s SO fun!
Questions? Just leave comments. Performing with the bells the first time is a little stressful but the congregation LOVES them – and so do the kids. Do make sure you have permission from your Primary President and Bishop ;).
More Handbell Charts
Check out my post HERE with a big list of all my handbell charts found throughout my website!

Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Christmas Bells.
12 thoughts on “Christmas Bells – Bell Chart for Descant”
Can the song be played with the 8 bell set, the 13 bell set or do you need the 20 set for this one?
Hi Kim!
Since there are no sharps or flats, this song can be played using the 8-bell set. The 13-bell set would allow you to play any sharps and flats and the 20-bell set just gives you another octave is all. I hope that answers your question.
~Camille
Thank you so much for all your advice and sharing your ideas and work with all of us!! I really want to buy the handbells and just don't know which to buy. Is there a better way to communicate questions to you? Anyways, I was just looking at the Rhythm Band hand/desk bell set. Would the colors match up with the music sheets you have? I think that would be a nice option to have desk/hand bells but not if they don't match up with music.
~Kim
With the 13-bell set does it sound off to have the musical line interrupted by switching octaves, like in Christmas Bells? It would happen a lot on the descant.
We used the bells in our Primary program last Sunday. It was amazing!! We used them for "If I Listen With My Heart" and also "Easter Hosanna". I requested the "Easter Hosanna" from you just before Easter and it was so beautiful the Primary President implemented it in our program. We had so many ward members who were just wowed by the bells! I only had 5 children in my bell choir, so one child had to play two bells, but it worked. I also had to hold a few practices on Wednesday night. The children and parents we very supportive and they loved it. I am definitely going to do "Christmas Bells" for Christmas Time.Thanks for all your creative ideas.
Dena
Hi Camille,
I see you updated the Christmas Bells with words. When I try to print out the bell part (not the obligato), it shoots me to the Obligato Bell Chart.
Can you repost the original Christmas Bell Chart (melody)?
THANK YOU!
Julie Austin
Hi Julie,
I only have the bell chart for the obligato part only. I've never done the bells on the melody. If you want to create your own bell chart, I do have a "Make Your Own Bell Chart" post here:
http://camillesprimaryideas.com/2014/11/make-your-own-handbell-chart.html
Sorry I'm not more help!
~Camille
Bought some bells and I am going to bust them out this Sunday with Christmas Bells. I am just worried about doing the other part with them, since this will be the kids first time using bells. Do you have the regular song in a bell chart anywhere?
Hi Blatter,
I'll try and work on a post for that soon – if you are new to the handbells, the melody for Christmas Bells is a perfect place to start!
~Camille
Hi Blatter,
I've updated the post with a link to the melody chart I created for Christmas Bells. You can also find it here:
http://camillesprimaryideas.com/2018/11/christmas-bells-bell-chart-for-melody.html
~Camille
Hi Camille, Thanks again for all your work here. I really have enjoyed using sooo many of your lesson plans. Some people think I’m a rock star… but it’s really YOU! Thanks for making me look good. 🙂
I do have a quick question. I’m hoping to do the hand bells with Christmas Bells. I think I get it, but I’m not clear on if anyone sings the descant or if the singers only sing the melody and the bells play the descant.
Thanks,
Terry
Hi Terry!
Oh my goodness … that is SO kind of you to say! I never have the kids sing the descant because it’s too many moving parts but you definitely can. To keep it simple, only the bells play the descant while the singers sing the melody. I hope that clarifies! If not, just let me know.
~Camille