‘Tis the Season….Now

Anyone who knows me is aware that I have a ban on Christmas music until Thanksgiving is over. I’ll watch Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movies all year long, if given the opportunity. So, those channels are immediately put on my “favorites” list once their seasons start – usually just before Halloween. But, when it comes to tunes, I hold fast. After. Thanksgiving.

Now that Thanksgiving dinner is over and I’m back to my usual activities, I can officially start listening to Christmas music.

That doesn’t mean it will be on my radio 24/7. There’s only so much I can take! But it does mean that I won’t immediately change the station if a holiday song starts to play. 

It also means I’ll seek out some of the new releases for the season.

I stumbled upon this one earlier this evening. I happen to love Lindsey Stirling. I firmly believe that we could achieve world peace if we can make every human on Earth listen to her music. This is a fun take on a classic. It can be found on her Christmas album, Warmer in the Winter. 

Since I am a huge Lindsey fan, I’m going to add one more of hers here. I’ve always loved “Carol of the Bells.” No matter the rendition or adaptation, it’s a favorite of mine. This is a really good one.

When I was a kid – like, really young – I remember sitting on my grandfather’s lap and seeing this little stop-motion animation during the holidays. The song was “Suzy Snowflake.” It brought me great joy and I looked forward to it every year. I was given my very first record album – First Christmas Record for Children – which had Rosemary Clooney singing the song. Of course, I learned later that, well, she is the original singer! And, without a doubt, she sings it best. I’ve included both of the aforementioned versions below.

Now, this is a song I share every year. It’s a favorite. Partly because it’s fun. But also because it was also a favorite of my grandmother’s. It’s not Christmas if I don’t hear this song at least 10 times. 

I was raised a Catholic. And while I’m not close to the (C)hurch these days, I do still have my Faith. So there are a couple of religious songs that still speak to me – strongly. 

Pentatonix is a group that just amazes me. They are so wonderful. And their version of “Mary Did You Know?” is absolutely beautiful. It often makes me tear up. No matter what we each believe, there’s no denying that this is a beautiful song. 

What about you? What are your favorite holiday songs?