Christmas On Repeat

During the holiday season of 2011, I was on what I consider a creative high. I was the author of two published articles and had begun work on a screenplay. In a way I guess I felt like nothing could touch me. Everything I did was poetry. The writing I had done previously barely required any editing so obviously that statement had to be true. I would soon learn that, despite your greatest effort, everyone gets cut off sometime. 

I have always been a bit of a Christmas nut. As a child I was always counting down the days until December 24th. I diligently participated in Christmas in July activities, forcing my mom to drag out all of our holiday VHS tapes a whole 5 months early. Even well into my 20s, the holiday couldn't start soon enough. In November 2011, as my anticipation for Christmas grew I sat down to record a personal reflection of my all time favorite Christmas songs. I sent my finished work into Hellogiggles.com in hopes that my piece would  a home on my favorite website. Two weeks later I received an email telling me that my article would appear on the site the following week. 

I was overjoyed to once again be a contributor to this ever-growing entertainment site. My hopes were slightly dashed a few days later when my article was posted, not only edited but crudely cut into pieces. While the final product was funny and included what I considered to be some of the strongest parts of the original piece, it lacked a proper ending. It was my first experience with seeing my work changed and not necessarily for the better. 

Although I was disappointed with the outcome, having my article appear on Hellogiggles was still an honor. It also served to knock me down a few pegs and deflate my bulging noggin. I took this opportunity to refocus my perspective, and I believe it has served me well. Today I continue to submit my work to writing websites, I maintain a blog, and recently joined a writing group full of former Borders Books employees.

The article as it was published on the website can be found here: http://hellogiggles.com/christmas-on-repeat . Below is the piece as I originally intended it to be read:

Christmas On Repeat

By Amy Wahl

            This time of year we all seem to be divided into two very different camps. The first group is counting down the days until it’s socially acceptable to start wishing people Happy Holidays! The second group is mumbling about how the department stores are already playing Christmas music on repeat. I’ll admit, my wrapping station has been all set up and ready to go for nearly a month. But even though I’m chomping at the bit to kick this holiday season into high gear, I understand how other people might be less than enthused.

            When I was little, radio stations played Christmas music for two weeks leading up to December 25th. Today the Christmas carols start way before the Thanksgiving turkey even hits the table. As soon as Halloween is over we are bombarded with holiday music in shopping malls, on TV, and especially on the radio. I don’t blame the radio stations for trying to please those of us who can’t wait to hear Burl Ives belt out ‘Holly Jolly Christmas.’ However I think there is a simple solution that may help those of you who have already had their fill of Christmas music for the year cope with the yuletide radio take-over: variety.

             I’m sure that there are licensing limitations that prevent stations from playing certain songs on the air. Yet, that doesn’t justify forcing listeners to hear the same 20 songs on repeat for the next two months. Sure, those songs are considered standards for a reason but even a standard can make you want to rip your hair out if its played too often. So if your local radio station is hitting you over the head with the same general mix of “Last Christmas,” and “Wonderful Christmas Time,” turn off your radio and turn on some unique holiday jingles. Changing your holiday soundtrack might just be the key to easing yourself into the hectic Christmas season. With the help of an extensive assortment of holiday music the next two months might just sail on by in a happy mix of catchy choruses and nostalgic favorites.

            Personally I consider myself very fortunate because I have never fallen into a Christmas music slump. Growing up in my house I was surrounded by an eclectic mix of folk singers belting out festive classics on vinyl records, old-time radio personalities acting out hysterical holiday antics, and The Muppets singing about keeping the holiday spirit all year round. To be honest we almost never had to listen to the radio during this time of year because we already had so many great things to listen to.

            Over the years, as certain songs started to become stale, my family added a new tradition to holiday activities. Every year we go out in search of a new album to add to our holiday music collection to help ensure that we don’t suffer from a “Jingle Bell Rock,” overdose. Don’t get me wrong we still listen to every song that gets played on the radio stations, but now when we want to listen to “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” we can choose whether it’s going to be Band Aid or The Barenaked Ladies telling us to feed the world.

If anything, during this time of year my family has difficulty deciding what albums we’re going to listen to because we have so many to choose from. In order to nourish my already hyper holiday spirit, I have already started to listen to some of my Christmas music in small doses. The first album I put into my CD was ‘Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah,’ a modern-day collection of folky ballads and playful pop songs. While I am beyond excited for the days to come when I can blast Jimmy Buffet’s ‘Christmas Island’ without someone rolling their eyes at me, for now it’s nice to have a mix of holiday and everyday music to sing along to. As for those of you who may still be reluctant to hear sleigh bells ring, below is a list of diverse holiday music that I listen to when I need to break out of that Christmas radio rut.

1. Green Christmas—By The Barenaked Ladies. Off of their Barenaked for the Holidays Album, this song was featured on the Grinch soundtrack. It’s a festive song for the grinch that lives inside of us all.  Being a holiday curmudgeon has never sounded so good.

2. The Christmas Wish—By John Denver, Sung by Kermit the Frog. For a little dose of Christmas sentimentality, this song reminds me of what this time of year is really about. “I don’t know if you believe in Christmas, or if you have presents underneath the Christmas tree. But if you believe in love, that will be more than enough for you to come and celebrate with me.”

3. Snoopy’s Christmas—By the Royal Guardsmen. To me, it’s not Christmas until I hear those Christmas bells ringing through the land. Of course when singing this song it is almost impossible not to at least attempt that famous Peanuts shuffle.

4. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)—Written By John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Sung By Jimmy Buffet. Yes the original version is incredible, but Mr. Buffet gives this song an even softer side. It also serves to cut down on the arguments my sister and I have over which Beatle has the best Christmas song. Instead of telling her for the umpteenth time it’s John, I just play Jimmy instead.

5. Hot Chocolate—From the Polar Express soundtrack, Sung by Tom Hanks. I’ve always wished that Tom Hanks were my TV dad so having him sing such a catchy song about my favorite hot beverage is a necessary part of the holiday season. Plus when I get the chorus stuck in my head it’s just another excuse to pour another mug of the good stuff—extra marshmallows.

6. A New York City Christmas—Written and Sung By Rob Thomas. Being a native New Yorker, this song has a special place in my heart. Even if I don’t make it down to Rockefeller Center during December, this song makes me feel like I’m right there in the middle of the holiday tourist crowd.

7. Hurry Home for Christmas—Written by Steve & Eydie, Sung by Robert Goulet. This song is great because you don’t hear it too often and Robert Goulet’s voice just exudes Holiday cheer!

8. We’re Going to Get Our Christmas Tree—Written & Sung by Tom Paxton. This is a family favorite. It’s a slightly, ok very, hokey song about a little boy venturing out with his family to cut down a Christmas tree. I loved it when I was 5 years old and at 27, I still listen to it every Christmas.

9. Merry Xmas Everybody—Written & Sung by Rooney. This is a newer classic for me. It’s fun, catchy, and the perfect dance song for any holiday party.

10.  It Feels Like Christmas—Featured on The Muppet Christmas Carol Soundtrack. This song is just a happy medley of Muppets. Whenever it comes on in my car I can’t help grinning.

Maybe one day the radios will catch on and start playing a larger variety of holiday music. Until then, I hope that I’ve given you a taste of the different sounds that are out there. Happy holidays to everyone!