holiday favorites: music!

Hi there!  Today I would like to share some of my favorite holiday music.  These are the songs that truly make me feel like Christmastime is here.  Speaking of which...

Alison Sudol'a voice is so beautiful, and I love her take on 'Christmastime is Here' from A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Actually, the entire Oh Blue Christmas album is lovely and definitely worth listening to.  I especially love it for snowy, stay-inside-wearing pajamas-and-drinking-hot-chocolate kind of days.

Of course, the classic Bruce Springsteen version of 'Santa Claus is Comin' to Town' had to make my list.  In fact, this is the song that officially kicks off the holiday season, as far as I'm concerned.  I don't consider it to really be Christmastime until I hear this one!  This song always reminds me of my dad-- every year, my brother and I would pile into his station wagon and around looking for the best Christmas lights.  My dad would turn on the radio and we'd bop along with all of our holiday favorites while ooooh-ing and ahhhh-ing over the elaborate displays (and concocting stories for if we were caught slowly driving up and down private roads!).  Sometimes our mom was with us, and sometimes she was 'too busy wrapping presents for the cousins.'  We fell for that line for years, and somehow, we never suspected that she was, in fact, wrapping our Christmas presents.  Even when my dad would go check if we could come inside yet.  Zach, why didn't we think anything about that was suspicious?!

Mannheim Steamroller's 'Deck the Halls.'  So 80's-tastic and fun!  There's no deeper meaning behind this one-- I just enjoy some synth-y Christmas music.

Oh, Clarice.  'There's Always Tomorrow,' from the 1964 version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer gets me every time.  In an increasingly cynical, technology-driven, and lonely world, sometimes we all really need a concentrated shot of idealism and innocence.  I tear up every time I hear this song or watch this part of the movie.  And let's face it-- who doesn't need an occasional reminder to 'believe in your dreams, come what may.'

Also from Rudolph, 'We Are Santa's Elves!'  It's so catchy, I love the little elf outfits (definitely going as one of the girl-elves for Halloween next year), and it has that iconic line:  "WE DON'T LIKE TO BRAAAAAAAG."

Let's finish up with something cozy and calming.  I was lucky enough to see Cherish the Ladies live a few years ago, and this performance of 'In the Bleak Midwinter' sums up everything that I love about them.  Joanie Madden is an amazing musician and a captivating storyteller.  Also, I just can't help loving a Christmas song largely featuring an accordion.  I know accordions aren't everybody's favorite, but to me, they sound so home-y and cozy.  Watching this video made me want to curl up under a blanket and sip some tea in front of a Christmas tree-- which, conveniently, what I've been doing all day today.

I hope all of your holiday preparations are going well!  Mine have been put off a little bit by a poorly timed bout of strep, and the only festive thing I feel up to is wearing Christmas pajamas.  Womp wommmmp.  Luckily I made it to the doctor early enough that I should be completely fine by The Big Day!  Yay!

I'm always on the lookout for more Christmas music-- what are some of your favorites?

♥