A CD that looks like a fruitcake? Oh really, you shouldn’t have! |
Here is the thing: I love holiday music.
No, really, you think you love it, but I love it more.
If I owned a car, I’d rig the horn to play Carol of the Bells.
No, really.
There is a radio station in Chicago that starts playing Christmas music 24/7 in early November, and for nearly two months, every time a song comes on, I shake my fists a tiny bit and squeal to myself, This one is my favorite!
No, really.
Years ago, when burning your own mix CDs became a fad, some friends and I all swapped CDs made of our favorite holiday music. Between the five of us and ten songs each, it was a quick way to amass a decent collection. And although my collection was already sizable, hearing other people’s “Top Ten Holiday Hits” was an interesting insight to each person’s approach to Christmas spirit.
You know, one’s musical taste and one’s taste in Christmas Music are two separate things. You would never guess that a big burly guy would enjoy Rosemary Clooney’s Suzie Snowflake, or that the classical music snob would appreciate Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, but there you go. We all learned a little about each other, and after much discussion, we all agreed that the world is divided into two different kinds of people: people who enjoy Celion Dion, and Everyone Else.
But I digress.
I still like to swap Cds and wish it was more popular. I’m still going to make a few though, and this year, best of all, they will look like fruitcake! Ready for the tutorial? Here goes:
1. Go down to the offfice supply store and get some CD Labels for inkjet printers.
2. Find a picture of a fruitcake.
3. Following the manufacturer directions, place the image of the fruitcake over the CD template.
4. Print it.
5. Stick it.
And that’s it.
Now, I’m not going to get into the details on how to place an image in your computer, because every combination of template/computer will be slightly different, but trust me, it’s easy. If you are super uncomfortable with this stuff, but you have access to someone between the ages of 8 and 18, get them to do it for you. Bribe them with chocolate if you have to. It’s worth it. Everyone will be so delighted and impressed when you hand them this CD of your favorite holiday tunes!
HELP ME. I DON’T WANT TO GET SUED. AT LEAST NOT OVER FRUITCAKE.
It is my understanding that certain federal regulatory entities do not appreciate people like me promoting the concept of folks swapping free music. Understandable. Scroogish, but understandable. So, to offset any free music that might be exchanged, lets’ promote some music for purchase, shall we?
I’m asking you to leave a comment indicating your top three holiday songs in the following categories; Classic, Sentimental, and Buried Treasure (something that you never hear on the radio). Include artist preference if you have one.
Hopefully, if a few of us share our favorite songs, some of us will be prompted to check them out and perhaps download them on ITunes (or similar). Cool?
Here, I’ll start:
Classic: “We Three Kings of Orient Are” by Ella Fitzgerald
Sentimental: “Dominick the Donkey”
Buried Treasure: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Rolf and John Denver (yes, I am evangelizing the Muppets yet again. The whole album is amazing. ‘Nuff said)
Now it’s your turn — chime in the comments, por favor 🙂
Anonymous
I really thought this would explode! Here’s my own little carol of the bells:
Classic: tie between “Baby It’s Cold Outside”recorded by just about anyone prior to 1960, and Pearl Bailey’s “5 pound Box of Money”
Sentimental: “Let It Be Christmas” by Alan Jackson
Buried Treasure: “Polly Anderson’s Christmas Party” – Stuart McClean. It’s not a song, but my season isn’t complete until I’ve listened to it, usually while arguing with the tree lights.
Lynnburshtin
1. “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby
2. “Christmas Don’t Be Late” by Alvin & the Chipmunks
3. This is a country song, so don’t know if this counts in this category,but: “Merry Christmas from the Family” by Montgomery Gentry (NOT the version by Dixie Chicks, which is absolutely horrible-awful!)
Jaclyn T
1. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” by She & Him.
2. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” by Jovie and Buddie (Aka Zooey Deschanel and Will Ferrell) from ELF!
***Okay, I’ll do 4 as these kinda count as the same one…:)***
3. “What Child Is This (Greensleeves) by Sarah McLachlan
4. “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” by Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald
CHRISTMAS MUSIC LOVE!
–Jaclyn T
TrickArt Jewellery: Nature Chic
http://www.etsy.com/shop/trickartjewellery
http://www.positiveponderings.blogspot.com
PeachesFreund
Yes, let’s blame it on Celine.
For what it’s worth, when I need to get a song out of my head “It’s a Small World After All” will usually do the trick 🙂
PeachesFreund
Hmmm…I don’t know why certain people’s picture shows? I’ll look into it.
PeachesFreund
I ADORE the Charlie Brown soundtrack. I’ll trust your rec on the other two!
Lori Carruthers
I used to make CD mixes and give them out as christmas presents and called it my “fruitcake jam” — fruitcake — because my mix was very eclectic and a bit fruity and jam — for the music part of it .. so I love the idea of a fruitcake CD label .. cool!
Rosanne
A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack and ONLY the original will do with Vince Guaraldi.
If I HAD to pick one tune it would be “Christmas Time is Here” but if you grew up watching this special every year as I did you’ll LOVE the whole CD, which by the way is available at some Starbucks with a bonus DVD!
Jaclyn T
They’re still together. Her husband is another musician. I googled it, as I don’t want my Christmas Music Delight to be tainted by awkwardness. 🙂
Charlene
Classic: Ave Maria by the Carpenters, Handel Messiah Part 1, No. 11 Chorus (For Unto Us A Child is Born) along with Part 3, #46 (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
Sentimental: Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt (NOT MADONNA!), Christ is Born by the Carpenters, The Gift by Garth Brooks
Buried Treasure: O Come, O Come Emmanuel or The Cherry Tree Carol by Peter, Paul & Mary, I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas, ‘Zat You, Santa Claus? by Louis Armstrong.
Yes, I have very eclectic tastes in Christmas music….
Maxine
Found your blog at some point through some other site, and I have to be honest – I sort of have a blog crush on you now.
Creepy cyber-sentiments aside, here are mine:
Classic: “Jingle Bells” Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
Sentimental: “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” Elvis Presley (I grew up with Elvis being the only Christmas CD we owned)
Buried: “Glow worm/It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” Rockapella. This’ll put a smile on your face.
J Hill
Classic: Hallelujah Chorus by Handel
Sentimental: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland
Buried Treasure: Welcome Christmas – The Whos of Whoville
Guineverekay
Classic – Silver Bells (but I do admit I prefer Billy Idol’s version) 😉
Sentimental – Blue Christmas (Elvis)
Buried Treasure – White Christmas (Bob Marley and the Wailers)
Liz Phillips
Classic: Sleigh Ride by the Boston Pops Orchestra
Sentimental: Sleigh Ride by Bing Crosby
Buried Treasure: Sleigh Ride by Squirrel Nut Zippers
What? I like Sleigh Ride! 😀
Anna
Classic-White Christmas-Bing Crosby
Sentimental-Merry Christmas Darling-The Carpenters
Buried treasure-I Wonder as I Wander-Sandi Patty
I love your fruitcake mix cd’s :o)
tracylee
Classic: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Chrissy Hynde from the Pretenders does a surprisingly good verson)
Sentimental: Anything from the Merry Christmas Charlie Brown soundtrack… like the one playing while they’re ice skating 🙂
Buried Treasure: Fairytale of New York – The Pogues
AnnW
The Allie McBeal show had a really great christmas album. Robert Downey Junior sang a song about a river. The Jazzy ones from Pottery Barn were always good. I have the Rosie ODonnell one which is good. I think my favorite song is Santa Baby by some jazz singer. I don’t have my collection with me this Christmas, but maybe my daughter has them on her computer. I might even have some Mantovani. My husband bought the Jackie Evanco Christmas album as soon as she recorded it a few months ago. I am not ready for my picks, I’ll have to sample a lot to remember what I like. Ann. Why doesn’t my picture show up here like it does on Blogger?
Benne
Classic: Carol of the Bells by the Boys Choir of Harlem or Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives
Sentimental: The Christmas Song by Dave Matthews or Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming by Feist
Buried Treasure: Donna and Blitzen by Badly Drawn Boy or All I Want for Christmas by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
PeachesFreund
I love Zooey Deschanel singing that song. I tried to download it long before I ever knew who she was. I’m also loving the whole She & Him Xmas album, but it’s kind of weird to listen to now you know they have split. Awkward.
Gloria
My favs with an international flair:
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by The Temptations
Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant by Dr. John
Súper Mamá (Supermom) by The Pinker Tones
Jo Simmons
I’m in a Christmas mood, been glittering a menagerie of dinosaurs and well, basically anything not moving. Here are mine, youtubes and all!
Classic- Baby it’s Cold Outside-sung by Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews with Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
http://youtu.be/gHxHMueqB-k
Sentimental- Andy Williams Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Mom & only had 2 Christmas albums when I was a kid, they were both Andy Williams.
http://youtu.be/73UqDX_quk0
Buried Treasure – for the US, anyway – Slade Merry Xmas Everyone
http://youtu.be/VmSRcOUmLK8