#christmas o christmas tree lyrics song tree christmas tree merry christmas music christmas music o christmas tree song o christmas tree lyri

[daimonclub]

Christmas Songs

Keep calm and sing Christmas songs! Christmas songs best ever written and sung with an article, a list and some videos from Youtube. Enjoy and be merry at least for Christmas. There are a lot of popular and famous everlasting Christmas songs, and at this time of the year you always listen to them with joy and a cheerful state of mind. Take for instance "Silent Night" (German: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) which is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria and it was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011. The song has been recorded by a large number of singers from every music genre. The version sung by Bing Crosby is the third best-selling single of all-time. The song was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a village in the Austrian Empire on the Salzach river in present-day Austria. A young priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had come to Oberndorf the year before. He had written the lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" in 1816 at Mariapfarr, the hometown of his father in the Salzburg Lungau region, where Joseph had worked as a co-adjutor. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. Before Christmas Eve, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for the Christmas Eve mass. Together they performed the new carol during the mass on the night of 24 December. "Silent Night Holy Night All is calm All is bright Round yon virgin Mother and child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent Night Holy Night" Originally "Christmas carols" referred to a piece of vocal music in carol form whose lyrics were based on the theme of Christmas or the Christmas season. Many traditional Christmas carols focus on the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, while others celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas that range from the 25 December to 5 January. As a result, many Christmas Carols can be related to St Stephen's Day (26 December), St John's Day (27 December), Feast of Holy Innocents (28 December), St Sylvester's Day (31st December), and the Epiphany. Examples of this are We Three Kings (an Epiphany song), and Good King Wenceslas (a carol for St. Stephen's Day). Nonetheless, some Christmas Carols, both religious and secular, now regarded as Christmas songs have become associated with the Christmas season even though the lyrics may not specifically refer to Christmas – for example, Deck the Halls (a pagan Yuletide drinking song) and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (an Advent chant). Other Christmas songs focus on more secular Christmas themes, such as winter scenes, family gatherings, and Santa Claus (Jingle Bells, O Christmas Tree, Home for the Holidays, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, etc.). Among carols one of the best is for sure "Carol of the Bells" which is a popular Christmas carol composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914 with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on a Ukrainian folk chant called "Shchedryk". Wilhousky's lyrics are copyrighted, although the original musical composition is not. The song is recognized by a four-note ostinato motif. It has been arranged many times for different genres, styles of singing and settings and has been covered by artists and groups of many genres: classical, metal, jazz, country music, rock, and pop. The piece has also been featured in films, television shows, and parodies.

Fifty famous Christmas Songs But in more recent times a lot of new songs were born and they absolutely deserve to be remembered and sung, so you can find the most famous of them listed below. As far as I am concerned the one I prefer is - All I Want for Christmas Is You - by Mariah Carey because it is very moving, poetical and exciting and what's more expresses one of our inner deepest emotional desire. "I don't want a lot for Christmas There's just one thing I need I don't care about presents Underneath the Christmas tree I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas is you." Another very nice and amusing Christmas song that is also a rock one is certainly "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town". It was written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and was first sung on Eddie Cantor's radio show in November 1934. It became an instant hit with orders for 500,000 copies of sheet music and more than 30,000 records sold within 24 hours. The song has been recorded by over 200 artists, including The Crystals, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra and The Jackson 5. "You better watch out You better not cry Better not pout I'm telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town He's making a list And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice Santa Claus is coming to town" Here are now a list of fifty very famous Christmas Songs: 1) "Fairytale of New York" - The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl 2) "All I Want For Christmas Is You" - Mariah Carey 3) "Do They Know It's Christmas?" - Band Aid 4) "Last Christmas" - Wham! 5) "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Harry Reser 6) "Do You Hear What I Hear?" - Bing Crosby 7) "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" - John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir 8) "Wonderful Christmastime" - Paul McCartney 9) "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" - Wizzard 10) "Merry Xmas Everybody" - Slade 11) "Merry Christmas Everyone" - Shakin' Stevens 12) "Sleigh Ride" - Leroy Anderson 13) "Stay Another Day" - East 17 14)"Driving Home For Christmas" - Chris Rea 15) "Rockin Around The Christmas Tree" - Brenda Lee 16) "Step Into Christmas" - Elton John 17) "2000 Miles" - The Pretenders 18) "I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter" - Connie Francis / Gabriella Cilmi 19) "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - Darlene Love 20) "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" - Vaughn Monroe/Dean Martin/Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 21) "Stop The Calvary" - Jona Lewie 22) "Frosty The Snowman" - Gene Autry & The Cass Country Boys/Perry Como /Johnny Mathis /Kimberley Locke 23) "White Christmas" - Bing Crosby 24) "I Believe In Father Christmas" - Greg Lake/Toyah Wilcox/Elaine Paige 25) "Christmas Lights" - Coldplay

Best Ever Christmas Songs 26) "Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" - The Nat King Cole Trio 27) "Thank God It's Christmas" - Queen 28) "It's The Most Wonderful Time of Year" - Andy Williams 29) "Santa Baby" - Eartha Kitt 30) "Christmas Wrapping" - The Waitresses 31) "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - Frank Sinatra 32) "Please Come Home For Christmas" - Charles Brown, The Eagles, Jon Bon Jovi 33) "Spaceman Came Travelling" - Chris de Burgh 34) "A Winter's Tale" - David Essex 35) "Lonely This Christmas" - MUD 36) "Cold December Night" - Michael Bublé 37) "Mistletoe And Wine" - Cliff Richard 38) "Merry Christmas" - Bryan Adams 39) "Christmas Time" - Don't Let The Bells End, The Darkness 40) "Mary's Boy Child" - Oh My Lord, Boney M 41) "Power Of Love" - Frankie Goes to Hollywood 42) "Blue Christmas" - Elvis Presley 43) "When A Child Is Born (Soleado)" - Johnny Mathis 44) "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" - Gene Autry 45) "Winter Wonderland" - Perry Como 46) "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - Jimmy Boyd 47) "Mary's Boy Child" - Harry Belafonte 48) "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" - Perry Como & The Fontana Sisters 49) "The Little Drummer Boy" - Harry Simeone Chorale 50) "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" -16th century carol You can also have a look at the Best Christmas Songs with videos, lyrics, famous quotes and carols to enjoy the atmosphere of this magic festival and to practice the English language having great fun. Read also our other posts on Christmas  ; Christmas quotes ; 60 great Christmas quotes ; Christmas tree origin and quotes ;  Traditional Christmas Carols ; Christmas jokes ; Christmas cracker jokes ; Christmas food ; Christmas thoughts ; Christmas story ; Christmas in Italy ; Christmas holidays ; Christmas best songs ; Christmas poems ; An Essasy on Christmas by Chesterton ; See also the decorated complete carols page where you can also download the pdf file! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez-gIFdKRu8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKkzbbLYPuI Read the full article

[anaiswriterr]

underneath the tree

Pairing: Bakugou x Reader

Rating: G

Song: underneath the tree by kelly clarkson

↷ SYNOPSIS: Spending Christmas at the Bakugou’s can get pretty hectic, especially in a time of cheer and joy - meanwhile your raging boyfriend is definitely the Grinch. But for just one moment as you help his mother string up the lights of the Christmas tree - he can’t help but smile at his little elf.

- mha december special part one -

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“We’re going!” You argued, yelling back from the kitchen. Ignoring the tantrum your boyfriend threw from the living room, Katsuki huffs, stomping his way into the kitchen trailing behind you. “No! Why the hell do we have the spend Christmas at my mothers!? You know I hate Christmas.” He exclaimed throwing his hands up in emphasis .

You ignoring his bickering pressing the on button of the blender, “Huh? Sorry, I can’t hear you!” The loud shrilling of a protein shake being made wedges between his hollering - smiling to yourself you press the speed button. “Huh? What? We’re going! I’m so glad you agree, babe!” You yell back, watching as his nostrils flare in anger.

His eyes are almost pleading you to cancel this trip, but his pride would never admit that his eyes were begging. What was so wrong with him simply wanting to just be alone with you? Cuddled up in a warm weighted blanket watching a couple movies. Nothing! But that didn’t stop you from arguing over the fact that the both of you should go over for at least a week, by invitation of his mother, it would be disrespectful to reschedule.

Considering it would be the second Christmas he’s cancel on, Katsuki has made it known in the six years of dating you - he hated Christmas. Not because of some tragic or traumatic past (he was spoiled) but instead he just thought stopping hero work to spend Christmas with family was selfish. “Crime doesn’t stop just because people are happy.” He’d argue. 

And for the past three years of moving in together you’ve fought with him over and over again to simply hang a wreath and decorate a tree, which he later obliged to after ten minuets of pleading with those big puppy dog eyes of yours that made his heart go goo goo.

You walk over to place a small peck on his cheek, cupping the side of his head lovingly. “For one week, please.”

His ruby red eyes pierce into your sparkling E/C ones, nuzzling himself into your palm - you always had that calming effect over him. Silently reassuring him of your promise to go on the vacation for one week. 

“One week?”

You nod in response, “One week.”

“Seven days?”

“Only, seven days.”

***

You suddenly remember why holidays at the Bakugou’s can get quite hectic at times. The constant back and forth bickering of son and mother are all that fill the kitchen as you take a sip of your tea on the living room couch, conversing with his father located directly in front of you.

The two of you stare with awkward smiles at one another, “So.. how are you and,” he flinches at the sound of a pan being thrown. “Katsuki doing? You two look very happy.” 

“Oh well, we’re doing amazing! Finally decided after the holidays were adopting a shelter dog-“

You flinch as well at the sound of plates clattering against one another, the sound of a loud smack and a “Stop hitting me, I’m not sixteen anymore-“ is followed right after. 

“You are still sixteen in my eyes!”

Hectic, least to say.

You laugh nervously, “Should we maybe go help them? You know, before someone grabs a knife?” Masaru laughs at your assumption, sipping back at his tea waving you off. Until, the kitchen went silent. Eyes wide, the both of set down your drinks as he stumbles on his words, “O-On second thought maybe we should check on them!”

“Great idea!”

***

Katsuki rolls his eyes at your amusement when the air you breathed back into the cold environment had turned into a cloud of smoke, “Look Katsuki, I’m a dragon!” You laugh, breathing harder into the air. Your gloved hand holding his squeezes in delight, you were truly a child at heart unwilling to let your boyfriends behavior towards this time of year ruin your fun. He kisses his teeth, “Dumbass, if you don’t stop jumping around every single time you breathe I’m walking back to the car.” He threatens, “And pull up your jacket zipper, it’s freezing!” 

“Don’t be such a kill joy, and besides you aren’t going anywhere till we find this damn tree.” You scold, ignoring his fingers over your torso pulling the jackets zipper up to your chin. 

You pull him into a maze of Christmas tree’s that stood tall over your heads, “Lets try and get an eight foot?” You ask, attempting to pull him in the process of tree shopping. The scent of pinewood and fresh pine cones fill your nose, memories of when you were just a tiny child running to wake your siblings flood your brain as you look at your towering boyfriend. “You could try to have fun, you know?” You plead, his hand tugs at your entwined fingers as he looks down at you. Huffing to himself, “I hate the smell.”

It takes every once of your well being not to pull his hair in frustration, “I know you do, Mr. Grinch.” You snicker, wandering between the aisles of Christmas trees. Your eye caught a a large, forest green tree, letting go of Katsuki’s hand you skip your way towards the tree and it’s towering height. “Katsuki! How about this one? It’s perfect!”

“Yeah, yeah, pick it. I’ll load it on the car.” The blond mumbles, rushing off to pay.

***

He’s sittings on the couch sipping a cup of coffee, watching you decorate the tree with a large grin as you string the lights, directing Mitsuki where they should go. Though he hated the holiday there was one thing he truly loved the most about this time of year. Simply watching you and your giddy grin as you decorate - it always made him smile, watching his little elf bounce around in merry joy blasting Christmas music and shouting the lyrics. 

“Katsuki, can you help me with this one. I can’t reach the top.”

Nodding his head and helping you get down from the small steps he presses his lips onto your forehead. 

‘Yeah, I’m gonna marry her.’

TAGLIST: @meep-meep​ @hikaru-mikazuki​ @jabkie​ @simpingovereveryanimeguy​ @theycallmemrsbarnes​ @bittersweetbooke​ @meri-soni-meri-tamanna​ @myheroesaretired​

[ukthxbye]

This is All I’m Asking For

a slightly cracky fun Christmas Sherlolly fic

on ao3

Greg Lestrade welcomed the warmth of the nightclub as he stepped in. December is already icy and bleak, and for once the stuffy club a blessing from the chill.

 John stayed posted near the door with a nod to him and Sherlock as both men pocketed their gloves. Greg handed his coat to the coat check, but Sherlock kept his as usual.

  Greg scanned the room, eyes adjusting to the mixture of darkness, coloured lights, fairy light strands, and glittery clothes. Two Drag queens on stage set the crowded room into rolling laughter. Greg listened to their set and cackled at the banter.

 Sherlock remained at his side, silent and wholly uninterested. Greg elbowed him in his side. 

 “We’re supposed to look like we’re out here after work.”

 “Yes… we really look the type, don’t we?” Sherlock said with a mocking shake of his head. 

 Greg squinted and waved his hand,  “Oh shut it.’

 Sherlock spoke low near Greg's ear. “Yes.. plan is, the suspect in question slips out during the show. That’s the suspicion, anyway. John has the front covered.”

 “And Sally the back,” Greg said, rubbing near his mouth to obscure in case there was a lip reader in the crowd. “We’re set. Talked to one performer yesterday, and they said they got a big holiday number tonight. The suspect was pretty miffed they were cut from it for a new girl, apparently. They’ve been stealing all the performers’ tips, but they got motive tonight,” Greg said with a smirk as he looked around Sherlock checking John’s location. 

 Sherlock shrugged as if in boredom, and Greg rolled his eyes as he sighed. “Look, it’s petty crime, but apparently they know some people in something bigger.”

“Bigger?” 

 Greg shrugged, considering taking the jacket off of his dark grey wool suit. “Yeah… drugs maybe? Hey, the performer I talked to said they chat about having a boyfriend in some sort of criminal organisation.” 

 “Hmm” is all Sherlock said with a sniff and returned to the mobile. 

 “You know something then?”

 “Yes, your information is… well… but I’ll let you suss it all out. Consider it a Christmas gift.”

 Greg shook his head but turned to see their informant approaching. He’d met the person out of drag, but Greg’s jaw dropped a little at the vision before him. Very fishy as the drag queens say, Greg mused as the informant slinked over in a red sequin gown. 

 She leaned against the bar, and Greg mirrored her.

 “Hey darling, not sure if you remember—”

 “Yeah… DI, after all, got to remember faces, even in disguise,” Greg said, flashing his boyish grin. “What do I call you tonight?”

 “Anything you like if you keep smiling like that,” she grinned back with a wink. 

 Greg snickered, “So when does the show start?”

 “Baby, the only show you need is right here,” the queen said. “Ms Shantala is a star just standing. You should see me dance.”

 “Do I get that pleasure tonight?”

 She bit her lip, tapping his arm lightly as she raised an eyebrow.  “Later darling… or even later later if you like a different sort of—”

 But another queen who rushed up whispering in Ms Shantala’s ear and with a quick nod she hurried off, blowing him a quick kiss.

 Greg watched her walk away intently. Sherlock shot him a look and Greg shot one back chin raised.  “What? I ain’t got a date for Christmas. You never know...”

 “Hmm,” Sherlock murmured as she took off his scarf and placed it in his coat pocket, and glanced and raised an eyebrow at Greg.

 A disinterested Sherlock wasn’t unusual, but tonight it irritated Greg.

 “You got a date for Christmas so you can insult me?” Greg smirked.

 Sherlock’s eyes widened and narrowed as he swallowed hard.  Greg spied it and frowned.

 “Of course I do not… anyway irrelevant… can we be seated for the show ?”

 Sherlock pushed past him to avoid a group headed to the bar. 

 He contemplated the change in his friend but stored it away for later and put his thought to the task ahead. 

 Greg settled into his seat, and Sherlock beside him just in time for the stage lights dimmed out as the crowd cheered and clapped.

 A small curtain opened as the song began, the tinkling notes of a familiar song. “Mariah Carey then” Greg murmured.

 The spot landed on a figure on stage dressed in a red fur trimmed hooded floor length coat with their back to the hushed audience. They turned, but their face except for cherry red lips obscured as they moved their hand to their hood.  On the lyric of “you”, they looked right at Sherlock and pointed. The piano and music came in and they lifted the hood.

 Greg gasped and coughed.

 Molly Hooper, dancing and lip syncing, right before them.  Heavy makeup with smokey eyes and false eyelashes, but no denying it's her as she shimmied across the stage. Greg hardly noticed the two drag queens, including Ms Shantala, also spotlighted as the backup singers. Or the two shirtless male dancers, one dressed as an elf and the other as a reindeer.His stare locked on Molly dancing as she opened up the jacket revealing a body suit of red velvet with fur trim and a very low cut. 

 Greg’s elbow connected with Sherlock’s ribs but no response made him slap his arm until Sherlock slapped back.

 Sherlock gritted out, “Why are you hitting me?”

 “Sherlock. It’s Molly” Greg mouthed with exaggeration and pointed. 

 Sherlock rolled his eyes. “Yes, I can see that clearly.”

 Greg glanced back at her, as she dropped the coat down to just the bodysuit which the low cut matched in the back as she twirled around and she danced to the other side of the stage for a setup with a prop with a fake fireplace one of the mail dancers wheeled on. The reindeer one wheeled a Christmas tree on the other side. Shock washed over Greg on multiple levels as she slid down the side of one dancer and back up seductively as they lifted her up under her arms.

 Greg turned to Sherlock, not sure if he should even stare at Molly dressed like that, dancing like that, and Greg’s blood boiled immediately. Sherlock’s eyes on his mobile and typing. 

 He reached across with two hands on Sherlock’s mobile. They tugged, staring at the other silently. Greg struggled, but he whispered, “Look!’ and gripped hard, yanking away the device by the time Molly danced back around to in front of them. They both glanced at her, Greg shooting her a quick smile as she looked his way. But he stared back at his friend.

 Sherlock bared his teeth at him.  

 Greg whispered, risking leaning in.  “I’m gonna kick your ass.”

 “Sure, Graham,” Sherlock mocked.

 “Fucking hell, I swear to God—“

 “You can glare all you want,” Sherlock huffed.

Greg looked back as the two dancers dropped fake snow on top of her.

 “I’m throttling you after the song.” Greg demonstrated it with his hand as he whispered it loudly. 

 “O-kay” Sherlock smirked and rolled his eyes. 

 “Jesus Christ...Sherlock. ” 

 “What?”

 Defeat washed over Greg as he leaned in so Sherlock could hear him. “God dammit man, she’s singing it to you, you fucking twat.”

 Sherlock frowned deep. “Its lip-sync not singing you can clearly see by her breath she’s—”

“That’s it. Oh, no… mmm no ok I’m kicking your ass after this” Greg folded his arm and then unfolded them. 

 ‘Wasn’t there a case you were supposed to do something?" Sherlock huffed. 

 “Well, this is more important now.”

 “Is it?”

 “Yes, pay... attention.” Greg pointed at the stage, holding Sherlock’s stare.

 “If I do... will you give me my mobile back?”

 The last line of the song approached. “ Make my wish come true”  and Greg sucked in a hard breath. “I’m gonna kill you. “

 “Fine!”

 As the last “ You ” note started, Sherlock leapt up on stage and kissed her at the high note, holding her tight to him. 

 Crowd whooped and hollered and Greg sat stiff still with his jaw nearly on the floor. 

 Greg’s, and Sherlock’s mobile buzzed. Text from John about the criminal being in custody. Greg cocked his head to the side in thought, trying to piece it all together. 

 When he looked up at the stage, he saw the reason the crowd cheered again. Molly jumped up and wrapped her legs around as Sherlock placed his hands under her bum for support. Greg’s smile crept in despite the confusion and he clapped, forgetting the mobiles in his hand and nearly dropping them before shoving them in his pocket.

 Ms Shantala cackled into the mic,  “Yaaasss gurl yaasss! Climb him like a tree! We love love! Merry Christmas indeed, Sherlock Holmes!”

 Greg stared at the couple now still clinging to each other but chatting with Ms Shantala as they exited the stage with a bow to much uproar and whistling from the crowd.

 He smugly strode around the crowd to find Sherlock helping Molly put the coat back on. 

 Greg chuckled as he folded his arms “So—”

 “We’ve been dating 6 months.” Sherlock smirked.

 Once more thrown off. “What?” He glanced back and forth between Sherlock and Molly.

 Molly bit her bottom lip and grinned, “It’s true. It was all part of the setup.”

 Greg huffed. “Well, I was certainly distracted but not so sure about the suspect—”

 “It’s really simple, George—”

 “Greg,” Molly said, smacking Sherlock in the chest with her free hand.

 Sherlock smirked at her, and then back at Greg. “Gregory, the suspect knew you were here, but he thought you would have arrested him. Us watching the show so intently, he saw your preoccupation and assumed he could leave unencumbered. He did not however bet on me, or John or Scotland Yard you placed outside.”

 Greg rubbed his forehead and down his face, smiling wearily. “You could have just told me... any of it… all of it. I mean, congrats. God, I’m chuffed but… helluva way to find out. Next time just tell me.”

 Sherlock glanced down at Molly, and they shared a mischievous smirk together. 

 Molly looked back at Greg, “Well now where’s the fun in that?”

[poc-movie-supremacy]

Family Traditions

@mousemadej

HEHEHE MERRY CHRISTMAS MAXIE I hope you like this, so much

Shane reminisces about visiting his family with Steven while they wait on the train to visit Steven’s family. They had danced and ate and sang. Old Family traditions are kept alive, and New ones are made. 

---

They were in the back of an uber heading to the airport. Steven sat beside him in the passenger seat reading from his phone. A light snow had just started and the roads were thankfully empty. Driving in the snow never made him feel easy. As they drove along silently, Shane reminisced about visiting his parent’s. 

This was the first year in a while that he was able to visit them instead of them visiting him. His parents, his brother and his wife and their daughter were spending the holiday together. Scott, his brother, and Sofia, his niece, met him and Steven at the airport. Sophia sprinted toward her uncle giggling wildly. Shane handed his one bag to Steven and bent down to pick up Sophia. He swung her around before peppering kisses onto her face. Scott gave Steven a hug before taking some of their bags. Steven watched happily as uncle and niece reacquainted themselves to each other. She was rapidly telling him some story about an incident in school. Sophia talked so quickly that Shane could only nod along. The interaction made Steven giggle. 

This alerted Sophia to Steven’s presence. “Hi Uncle Stevie! Merry Christmas! Can you believe what Eleanora did?”

Steven shook his head, trying in vain not to burst out laughing. Sophia paid it no mind, and continued telling her story. Steven took Shane’s hand and together left the airport. 

Christmas with the Madej’s was fun. It snowed the entire time they were there, making it the first white Christmas they’ve had in a while. Sophia was ecstatic and pulled whichever uncle was available into playing in the snow with her. Shane thought he could handle the snow but he was sorely mistaken. Being a California boy took a toll on him and forced him to layer up more than usual. Steven was a little smarter and layered up from the get go. Together, with Sophia, they played many games in the snow that Shane used to play as a kid. They made gay snowmen, had a snowball fight and went sledding. By the end of it, Shane was shivering. Scott gave him an earful for it, but Steven took the opportunity to curl up against him, making up for it. 

Late nights with the Madej’s were just as fun. Some nights, Sherry and her husband regaled the room of Christmas stories from old, other nights they put on a record of old Christmas and dance the night away. Shane would get up and stretch out his long legs before extending a hand to Steven. Steven would blush but accept. Shane would pull him close to do a little waltz around the living room. Lowly, ever so softly, Shane would whisper the lyrics of the songs he knew best into Steven’s ear. The crackling of the fire, the twinkle of the Christmas lights, and the glint of their wedding rings (because of the fire) provided a nice ambiance. 

“Here we are, as in olden days… Happy golden days, to youuu.” Shane sang into Steven’s ear. 

Steven hummed, “This what your childhood was like? Dancing with someone to your parent’s old Christmas records?”

“Not exactly, as a child I didn’t have a pretty partner.” Shane’s voice was deep and low and he caught Steven’s eye to wink. It made the other man giggle aloud and blush deeply.

“We also used to eat the snow.” Shane added absentmindedly. 

“Eat the snow?” Steven prodded, curious.

“Yeah, I’ll show you sometime. Mom would send me and Scott out with tins to collect fresh snow. When we’d get back, she’d coat them in syrup and give us a spoon. Free food!” Shane exclaimed excitedly. 

“One day we’ll have to try it,” Steven said with a smile. 

They were only able to stay at the Madej’s for a short while before having to pack up and head over to Steven’s parents house. They devised a system where they would spend five days with the Madej’s then take a train to the Lim Family and spend another five days there before going home. 

Finding out Uncle Steven and Uncle Shane couldn’t stay for the whole holiday devastated Sophia. Shane almost, almost, changed his mind for her, but knew they had to stick to the plan. Before they left, Sophia handed the two men a couple of messiled wrapped Christmas gifts. Steven smiled at her and gave her a thank you hug. Shane shared similar sentiments making Sophia beam.

“I’m sad that you can’t be home for Christmas, so I wanted to give you these now, so you’d have it one Christmas. You can’t open it before Christmas okay?” 

Steven nodded solemnly, “We promise sweetheart. We’ll even facetime you so you can watch us open it.”

Sophia looked up at them with hopeful excitement. “Really, you promise?”

Steven smiled warmly at her and put a hand on her cheek, “We promise.” Sophia squealed excitedly and ran off to tell her mom about the new development. 

Shane smiled gratefully at Steven. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Is getting a kid my reward?” Steven teased.

“When God gives me the ability to have kids sure. Until then we wait.”

“I can be patient, I guess,” Steven teased. He held up his pinky in a promise, “kids one day?” 

Shane finished the pinky promise, and chuckled. “Kids one day, baby, one day.” 

“Can’t wait.” 

As Steven went around the upper half of the house checking to make sure they didn’t forget anything, Shane took the bottom half. When he noticed the to-go syrup packets, Shane stuffed a few into his pockets. 

They headed off to the train to catch the next ride to Ohio. Luckily they arrived with time to spare. Steven settled in to wait for the train with a novel. Shane still felt a little restless though, and went to walk around. It was still snowing outside, enough that a decent layer of snow covered the ground. 

Opportunity struck Shane, making him smile. He walked back into the airport and found a souvenir shop that sold nice cups. Shane picked one that he knew Steven would like, a cup that had many little drawings on it. It was a fox and a cat in the woods with strawberries and blueberries around them. He thanked the clerk before heading back out. Quickly, it was cold, Shane scooped up a cup of fresh snow. He poured the packs of syrup onto the snow to create a thick layer. A pop up restaurant had some plastic spoons he could use. With his little treat ready, he headed back to his husband. 

Steven had his forearms resting on his thighs trying in vain not to fall asleep. Shane let out a soft chuckle and plopped down next to him. “Wakey wakey baby. Look what I made you.” 

Steven moved slowly, like his brain was lagging. He blinked at him, slightly confused like his brain wasn’t aware of its surroundings. The look on his face was open and trusting and tinged with love and confusion. It made Shane smile for a second, calmed by the steady love his husband had for him. Then a sense of excitement took over when he remembered the gift he had. 

“I got something for you!” Shane singsonged. He pulled out the cup of what was basically sweet sugar ice and held it out to Steven. The other very tired man perked up instantly. His eyes widened at the cup full of treats with pretty designs. His mouth dropped open into a pretty o shape while his hands carefully cradled the cup. 

“Baby…” he breathed.

Shane chuckled nervously. “Do you like it?” 

Steven nodded frantically with a slow bashful smile creeping onto his face. He took the spoon, swirled the snow and syrup before taking a bite. Shane waited ‘calmly’ for his husbands reactions. 

It didn’t disappoint. Steven made a happy noise before continuing to scarf it down. When he finally took a break he smiled happily at his boyfriend. Shane reached over and thumbed away some excess syrup on Steven’s upper lip. 

“This?” Steven gestured to the half full cup of syrup snow, “This is good. Very good. I get why you loved it as a kid. Thank you for getting me some.”

“Of course Stevie. I’m glad you liked it so much.” Steven nodded then went back to eating the treat. By the time Steven fully finished his icy treat, the train was ready to board.  They carefully packed up the cup, which Steven loved, into one of their extra bags before boarding the train. It was relatively sleek with many red velvet booth seats. They found their row and put away their bags. Shane settled in to watch a movie on his phone while Steven picked up his book from earlier. 

They sat together in silence for a while. The train conductor gave announcements before leaving the station. Once the sugar rush cleared up, Steven passed out. Shane closed his book and made sure Steven was comfortable beside him. Shane plugged in some soft Christmas music and let himself relax. 

“What are you listening to?” A groggy voice asked beside him. Steven yawned and stretched out beside him. 

“Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” 

Steven made grabby hands for one of Shane’s airpods. Shane gave him one of the airpods and started the song up again.

“Mmm. Nice song, Is this your favourite?” 

“I’ve never thought about favorites. ‘Is Christmas only a tree’ is a good one. My mom’s always loved ‘Your a Mean One Mr. Grinch.’ She’ll put on this green mask and get my father to dance with her.” Shane laughed at the old childhood memory. 

“My parents were a little more formal. My father used to sit at the piano and start the music. Then my mom would stop whatever she was doing to join him on the bench. Together they would sing a few Christmas songs. O’ Holy Night was a favourite of my parents.”

“It’s a nice song. Melancholic, but i don’t know… moving? If that makes sense.”

Steven nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, you feel something while it plays.” Shane let his fingers play with Steven’s as ‘Have yourself a Merry Christmas’ comes to a close. 

“What to play next…” Shane mumbled as he looked through the different options. With disdain he scorned, “Not ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside.’ I don’t like that song.”

Steven made an unhappy sound, “I don’t like it either.” Steven tightened his grip on Shane’s fingers, “Oh look! ‘The Christmas Song’ by Nat King Cole, play that one.”

“Is that your favorite?”

“Nope, I actually like “Christmas Tree Farm” by Taylor Swift. Very upbeat and happy song, but still feeling almost vintage. My parents would always play the more Catholic Christmas Songs, and they were great, but not like upbeat, you know? So hearing this song that I definitely mistake for a slightly older one, with nostalgic family vibes that was happy was an instant win for me.” 

“It is a great song, I like the violins in the beginning. Really spices it up.” Shane took a deep breath, “I think I picked a song I really like.” 

Steven quirked an eyebrow at him. “In the spirit of upbeat songs, ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’ is a favorite one. It’s so weird but happy. I don’t know why but I’ve always liked it.”

Steven smiled at his husband. “It’s a nice song. Whenever it plays I can’t help but giggle at it. The girl singing is adorable.” 

“She needs her hippopotamus!” Shane joked, unintentionally making himself laugh softly which made Steven laugh too. 

“She needs her hippopotamus,” Steven echoed through his giggles. When they calmed down he looked around the train car. It was empty save for two waitresses talking in a booth, booths away from them and a few passengers in the single seats near the front of the car. An idea struck Steven. He disconnected the air pods, searched up ‘I want a hippopotamus’ on Youtube. 

“Another time maybe I’ll show you a family tradition. Maybe I’ll play you O Holy Night on the piano while you sing, but for now why not do one of yours… ish. Ok maybe this isn’t one of your family’s traditions, but its still nice.”

Shane looked at his husband apprehensively. Steven smiled back at him, wobbling between awkward and excited. “Stevie, what do you mean?”

Stevie stretched his hand out, “Dance with me?” Shane laughed out loud. He took Steven’s hand, played the song at a low volume and danced. It wasn’t like the half-waltz back in the cabin. This was flailing limbs, loud laughs, and soft touches. It was really pretty bad, but it was there’s, so that made it special. 

“We should do this again.” Steven told Shane as the song came to an end.

Shane looked at him, perplexed. “Dancing on a train?”

“No, visiting both our families and dancing wildly on a train. Maybe this could be our family tradition.”

“It’d be a pretty funny tradition. I love it.” The boys got back into the car seat and talked quietly about other Christmas traditions. The car ride went on smoothly. Snow hit the window as one of the workers passed out some hot chocolate. This time Shane would be the one to fall asleep during the last leg of the journey. Steven sipped on some hot coco as he watched the snow fall.. He made sure Shane was comfortable sleeping next to him. Before checking up on work, and with Ryan and their other friends, Steven fingered his wedding ring. “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,” he joked. It was a good night indeed.

[twoontheaisle]

“Taylor Mac’s Holiday Sauce...Pandemic!” streaming

I have two things to tell you about the streamed version of Taylor Mac’s Holiday Sauce...Pandemic!, which went live on December 12 and is available on-demand until January 2: one, streaming is amazing, and two, streaming sucks.

Amazing because it gives us access to a broad array of theatrical content that we simply can’t access in the usual way, thanks to COVID. Every day it seems more plays and musicals and operas can be enjoyed in the comfort and safety of our homes, out of reach (we hope!) of the virus.

On the other hand, streaming sucks, for the simple reason that it is a very poor simulation of live theatre, both for the performers, and for we in the audience. Worst of all, it almost completely severs the connection between audience and performers. The joy of laughing along with your fellow theatergoers, the way actors and singers subtly adapt their performances based on the audience’s reactions, the sense of being present for a one-time-only experience...all that is lost when theaters are shuttered and an interactive, fully-dimensional experience is confined within a two-dimensional rectangle.

I was fortunate enough to attend Mac’s first incarnation of Holiday Sauce when it opened at the Curran back in 2018. That wild night was a glorious celebration of family - specifically, the families queer people create when our own relations can not, or will not, accept us as we are. We laughed, some of us cried, we stood and sang along, and we gloried in the stunning staging and costumes created by Mac’s partner in art, Machine Dazzle.

This iteration is remarkably similar to what was staged at the Curran, though different enough that it qualifies as a new show.

The first 20 minutes or so are simply a casual monologue by Mac, costumed as you see in the photo above, a human centerpiece on a groaning board of a holiday table. Despite the splendor of the costuming and backdrop, this opening has a very laid-back, casual vibe. Mac asks us to leave the outside world behind, put down our phones, and enter the world that he asked his design team to “make it look like a public access show on LSD.” Mac looks around a moment, then turns back to camera and shouts “Success!” 

Once the show proper begins, Mac leads off with a version of the classic Christmas hymn “O Holy Night,” which he stops - again and again - to reframe the Christianist, patriarchal lyrics toward a more progressive (and queer) sensibility. He changes none of the lyrics, merely asking us to think of “holy” and “sin” and “fall on your knees” in very different ways. At the live show, after the first run-through of the song, Mac got us all to sing along and perform the gestures judy (Mac uses “judy” as judy’s personal pronoun) had just taught us. For the stream, however, Mac invited Thornetta Davis (the “queen of Chicago blues) to perform a sincere version of the song - which she does so powerfully, and with such commitment that it alone is worth the $10 Mac is charging as a streaming fee. (For that you also get a version of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” as a power ballad with metal overtones.)

Other guests pop in: a range of queer performers and drag queens add their unique takes on the holidays, Machine Dazzle appears as a Christmas tree presenting a self-affirmation, and Steffanie Christi’an gives a lovely rendition of Bill Withers’s “Grandma’s Hands.”

There are some very dark moments in Taylor Mac’s Holiday Sauce...Pandemic! (grandma in a pool of her own urine, as well as some rather painful recollections of Christmases past), but these are used sparingly, and as a way of reminding us of our power as individuals to craft our own narratives about our lives. “Free from family obligations, subjugation - now I just hang out with all my queery peers and my chosen grandmas and grandpas.”

Taylor Mac’s Holiday Sauce...Pandemic! is available to be streamed between now and January 2. For tickets and access, point your browser to: https://sfcurran.com/shows/taylor-mac-holiday-sauce-pandemic/? Tickets are $10.

[gaytrashgoblin]

Merry Pitchmas!

Merry Pitchmas and happy holidays @anotherbechloeshipper​ from your secret santa! Have a wonderful winter break and I hope you enjoy the fic :)

It had been an ongoing mystery in the Bella House who decorated for Christmas. After trying for literal months their first year in the house receiving nothing, the girls gave up, assuming it was Chloe, no matter how adamantly she denied it. The second year, the girls were still just as curious, but kept their speculations and questions to themselves mostly, knowing that whoever was decorating wasn’t going to give themself up. It became something of a running joke in the house, wondering who the decorator was and why they skipped all of the other holidays. And while the secret would remain a secret for the Bellas as a whole, Chloe was going to learn come the third year. 

Beca and Chloe had started seeing each other the summer after Beca’s freshman year. Since the relationship was so new when the holidays came around, they went their separate ways for Thanksgiving and Christmas with plans for Skype dates and promises of calls. During Beca’s Sophomore year, they stayed in Barden for Thanksgiving with Beca’s father and step-mother, then spent Christmas in Florida with Chloe’s family, each welcoming the respective girlfriend with open arms. Having spent this Thanksgiving with the Beales, Beca and Chloe found themselves headed for Portland, Oregon, where Beca’s maternal family waited. 

“Rebs!” Shouted two rather short brunette women, who quickly made their way to where Beca and Chloe were waiting for their bags. 

“Mama, Aunt Shan,” Beca responded excitedly, hugging both women to Chloe’s surprise. “This is my girlfriend, Chloe,” she continued, grabbing her hand and pulling her forward. 

“It’s so wonderful to finally meet you! I’m Beca’s mother, Dianna, and this is my sister Shan,” she said, embracing the redhead as she had done her daughter. 

“You too! Thank you for having me for the holiday.” Dianna waved her off while Beca and her aunt grabbed their bags. Chloe watched happily as Beca chatted animatedly with her mother and aunt the whole way to their home, telling them about school, her budding relationship with her father, and, of course, their relationship. Chloe chimed in here and there, but she was content watching Beca and how happy she seemed around her mom. It was a refreshing change from how uncomfortable she was around her father. The surprises didn’t seem to stop as they arriuved at the modest home, and Beca was attacked by her family with greetings and affection. She returned greetings and hugs and introduced Chloe to Shan’s husband and their children, Beca’s cousins. After brief introductions, Beca showed Chloe upstairs to her childhood bedroom. Chloe took in the room with a look of contemplation. The walls were light blue and, obviously, had several music posters and vinyl records on them. But for the most part it was bright and happy. 

“So… surprised?” Beca asked with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. 

“Mmm, a little. I was expecting it to be pink,” she teased. Beca shook her head with a laugh.

“Ok nerd. C’mon, mom and Shan said they’d leave some of the decorating for us to do.” Beca pulled Chloe by her hand back downstairs and to the living room, where her family was chatting, patiently waiting for them.

“Ah, there she is! Now we can get this tree decorated,” Shan stated, moving to grab a few boxes labeled “xmas tree.” Sitting down, Chloe watched as they all grabbed ornaments with their names on them and placed them on the tree, when a little box came into her line of sight. 

“For you,” was all Beca said, dangling the box lightly. Chloe shot her a puzzled smile as she opened the box and found a little angel with her name on it. Beca pulled her up and led her to the tree, then pointed to a spot next to one of the ornaments. Chloe noticed then that all of them had an angel with their name, and Beca had left a space next to hers for Chloe to place her own. Tears filled her eyes as she glanced at Beca and Dianne. Beca placed a hand on her back and nodded, so she carefully put her angel up on the tree.

“Alright, the little ones are going to do the tree, Rebs if you wanna do your thing, with Chloe, of course.” Beca smiled, which did not help Chloe’s confusion. 

“I’ll be right back,” she said, pressing a kiss to Chloe’s cheek. She returned a few minutes later with a large plastic bin of Christmas decorations, and Christmas music had started softly playing from a speaker on the mantle. “Alright, you ready to decorate?” She asked, gesturing to the box. 

“What are we decorating exactly?” 

“Uhh, I’m not sure what all mama left for me- us. For us. But usually the banister on the stairs, doorways, and mantle, and tables. Garland on the banister and mantle and lights and fake candles on the tables.” The more Beca rambled, the more pieces fell into place for Chloe. 

“Wait wait wait, you do this every year? Like all out decorating? And Christmassy?” 

“Yeah?” She asked, tilting her head. While she had never paraded around her love of the holiday, she hadn’t particularly hidden it. Chloe looked at her for a moment before her face lit up.

“O-M- aca-G! You’re the mystery decorator!” 

“Well, yeah,” she said smiling. “I figured you knew that. I never like, hid it from you.” 

“Why didn’t you say anything?” she asked, pouting. Beca cupped Chloe’s face with one hand, running her thumb across her pouted lip. 

“No one asked if it was me, so I never said anything,” she shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. Now, are you gonna help me decorate or not?” Chloe nodded, beaming. Together, they decorated the house while singing along with the music Beca had playing, some mixes some just the regular songs. After decorating, they had dinner and hot chocolate. Beca took two mugs and gestured for Chloe to follow her outside, where she sat down on a porchswing, haning her the second mug.

“So, do you have anymore Christmas secrets to share?” Chloe asked coyly, taking a sip of the cocoa.

“Well, now that you mention it, I do, actually.” Beca stopped their, sipping from her own mug. Chloe stared at her, waiting for her to continue. When Beca was unable to hide her smirk, she slapped her shoulder.

“Out with it woman!” 

“Okay, okay! Geez,” she said, rubbing her shoulder. Looking out over the yard, she continued, voice soft, “Shan’s first kid, Maddy, got really sick when she was little, like six, I was 15 or something. She was in the hospital for a long time. They hoped she would be able to go home for Christmas, but it didn’t end up that way. Christmas was always mama and Shan’s favorite, mine too, so it we wanted to do something for them. Mom and I arranged with the hospital to let us come in on Christmas day and deliver all of ‘santas’ gifts to Maddy. She was so happy when we got there, all in costume and everything with a bag that had her presents in it,” she paused, emotional from the memory. 

“Anyway, I remember seeing all the other kids light up when we passed their rooms dressed up. Maddy got better after a few more months, but, I don’t know, I just couldn’t stop thinking about all the other kids in her situation. Stuck in the hospital sick and miserable, you know? And how happy Maddy looked when we got there. So mom and I made it a tradition for Christmas to bring a bunch of toys to the kids’ unit of the hospital dressed up as santa’s helpers,” she explained. “I wanted to ask you if you’d come with us? Usually it’s just me and mom, but I thought maybe mom could pass out gifts and we could sing some Christmas songs for them? If you don’t want to you don’t have to-”

“Beca,” she said, cutting off her rambling,” I would be honored to come with you.” 

“You would?” she asked, smile growing. 

“Yes.” They were both quiet for a moment, just smiling at each other. “I always knew you were a good person, but this makes me love you more than I already do,” Chloe said softly. 

“I love you too, Chlo,” she responded, kissing her sweetly.

 Chloe was filled with nervous energy. She, Beca, and Dianne, were all in the elevator dressed up like santa, about to give presents and holiday cheer to a floor full of sick children. Dianne had a bag of various toys, Beca had an acoustic guitar strapped to her back, and Chloe had a box with coloring sheets and Crayons, all ready to spread some happiness and give these kids a moment to be children again. There was an area on the floor for the more mobile kids to sit and play, which is where Beca and Chloe set up, while Dianna went to the rooms with the not so mobile kids with presents first. Chloe was helping get the kids set up with their pictures and crayons when Beca had started double checking the tuning of her guitar. There was a little girl, who looked rather worse for wear, sitting on a little chair alone, and Beca went and sat next to her, leaning down to speak quietly. Chloe watched as Beca coaxed a smile and a little giggle from the girl, then nodded her head in Chloe’s direction. The little girl looked up at her with wide eyes, then turned back to Beca, who nodded again. A moment later, a familiar tune filled the room. 

As Beca began singing the lyrics to White Winter Hymnal, Chloe’s absolute favorite Christmas song, the smile on her face only grew. She picked up and joined after the opening, making her way around the room of happy children while doing so. As Chloe swayed her way toward Beca, a few of the children got up and started dancing, so she made her way to them and danced with them while singing with Beca. She noticed that some parents had joined in singing and even dancing. The nurses were smiling and singing, and a warmth spread in her chest as she looked around at the scene they had managed to create. How something as simple as a Christmas song and some coloring could bring these children and their parents so much joy so easily. Chloe found herself having to force her tears back as she continued dancing and singing with the kids. It wasn’t until they were getting ready to pack up their things that Chloe found a moment to speak with Beca. 

“Thank you for bringing me with you.” 

“Of course, thanks for coming willingly,” she joked, placing her guitar down to help clean up. 

“No, I mean it. This… this was such an amazing thing, and I’m just… I’m really happy you shared it with me,” she said, tearing up again. Beca ran her thumbs under her eyes softly, catching the lone tear that had fallen. 

“There’s no one else I would share it with but you. You nerd,” she said, getting a small laugh out of Chloe. “I love you, Chlo. And… I’d like to keep this tradition with you, if you want,” she said hesitantly, resting her forehead against hers. 

“I love you too. And I would love to keep this tradition with you.” They stood with each other for a moment, enjoying their closeness, before Chloe smiled teasingly. 

“I can’t wait to tell the girls who the mystery decorator is.” 

[darrencrissarmy]

Christmas is coming early for Lea Michele (and her fans!).

On Oct. 25, the singer and actress will release her first-ever Christmas album, Christmas in The City, inspired by childhood memories of holidays spent in her hometown of New York City.

“It was always my dream to make a Christmas record,” Michele, 33, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Christmas is so special to me. It’s such an important time of year for me and my family that I have so many incredible memories from.”

“I just got married, and it’s a very happy time in my life with my family right now,” adds Michele, who wed her husband, Zandy Reich, in March. “So making this album and releasing it at this time in my life just made so much sense.”

Christmas in The City’s tracklist includes Michele’s covers of holiday classics like “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Silent Night,” “Silver Bells,” “O Holy Night” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” from Frozen.

“Every single song that I picked on this record, these are my most favorite Christmas songs,” Michele says. “These are the songs that I always listen to on Christmas. The first song that I said, ‘This has to be on my record’ was ‘Silver Bells.’ ‘Silver Bells’ was my favorite Christmas song, because I love the lyrics, ‘It’s Christmas time in the city.’ That really became the jumping off point for this album, Christmas in The City, because I grew up in New York, and it’s such a beautiful time of year.”

For three of the covers on the album, Michele enlisted the help of her famous friends Jonathan Groff (who was her best man at her wedding), Darren Criss and Broadway star Cynthia Erivo. While Groff lends his voice to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Criss sings on “White Christmas” and Erivo sings on “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

“Jonathan is my best friend in the entire world, and the song we’re singing on the record, ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas,’ we’ve been singing together for over 10 years,” Michele says. “We would often have to do Christmas benefits and stuff like that in New York so that song in particular has very special meaning to us.”

“Darren and I are dear friends so it was only natural that I would have him come on the record with me,” she continues. “My third very special guest is the incredible Cynthia Erivo, and if you don’t know Cynthia, you’re going to know her soon. She is incredible, and all of these singers — Darren, Jonathan and Cynthia — are all Broadway performers, and it was also really important to me that the sound of this record had that Broadway feeling. Because again, it’s New York, it’s Broadway, it’s my history.”

Along with the covers, the album also includes Michele’s original, “Christmas in New York.”

“I wrote this song as my real love letter,” she says. “It’s the anthem of the album, and it just highlights all of the special things New York has to offer. It paints this beautiful picture of New York, but it also is really about what it means to be with your family and friends and engaged in that holiday spirit.”

Michele notes that another special feature of this album is the fact that it reunited her with her former producers on Glee, Adam and Alex Anders.

“If you don’t know the Anders brothers, they did every single one of the over 800 songs we did on Glee,” she says. “It was very important to me that we reunited for this record. I wanted to bring back that sound from Glee — that very vibrant and bright and powerful sound that we created.”

For her album cover, Michele wore a red gown by the same designer who custom-designed her wedding dress: Monique Lhuillier.

“I wanted it to have a little bit of a Rachel Berry-meets-Carrie-Bradshaw-Sex-in-the-City vibe,” she says of the dress. “Everything [went] back to having this New York flare.”

When she thinks back on Christmases past, Michele remembers “incredible” times waking up with her mom and dad to presents under their Christmas tree. As far as traditions go, Michele says one thing that has always remained constant over the years is music.

“I always remember waking up and hearing music playing — especially on Christmas morning,” she says. “So I wanted to make my own Christmas album that I could pass along to everyone. Hopefully a little of the Christmas joy that I experienced in my life can be transferred now to other people.”

Though Michele is mostly based on the West Coast now, she and her husband return home to N.Y.C. every holiday season.

“As soon as I come home in December, I immediately go to see the [Rockefeller Center] tree,” she says. “Or go to Central Park and just walk around or go to Radio City and see the Christmas show. I’ll do them again this year, and it’s always important for me in what I create and what I do, that I make sure that everything is incredibly personal. This is a Christmas record which is very universal but very specific and personal to my life. I think it really is a great explanation of where I’m at in my life.”

[bunny-stella]

[Kanji/Romaji/English Lyrics] Tsukiuta. 3rd Season Vol.1 Hijiri Kurisu - Christmas Kirai

Singer: Hijiri Kurisu (CV. Kanemoto Hisako)

Lyricist & composer: Satsuki ga tenkomori

[Kanji]

「時は元禄　クリスマスがきらいな者あり

其の者なんでも誕生日がクリスマスとのこと」

定番のクリスマスソング　流れ始める冬の日には

絶対譲れない　ひとつ話を聞いて

どう考えたって　バースデー＞クリスマス

「どっちも兼ねて」とか言って　また一緒くたにされる

あー！ケーキのイチゴとんないで

とっておいたのに

ねぇプレゼント交換会て

おかしくない？

もうほんとクリスマスなんてきらい

今日は私がスターなのに

ツリーの上　輝くはずなのに

ついでじゃ我慢できない

ライバルはサンタクロース

今日は私がスターなのに

主役の座をかけた椅子取りゲーム

キラキラの町並みに

ファイティングポーズ　立ち向かおう

「時は220X年　誕生日が記念日にカブった者たちは

聖クリスを中心としてクーデターを起こすのであった」

定番のクリスマスソング　黙って聞いでるわけにいかない

絶対譲れない　ちょっと話を聞いて

どう考えたって　私だけちょっと損してない？

「どっちも兼ねて」とか言って　またないがしろにされる

機会損失ってこれかな

なんでもいいから

年齢の数のローソクを

用意して

もうほんとクリスマスなんてきらい

今日は私がスターなのに

オンリーワンの一等星なのに

サブタイトル扱い

立ちはだかるサンタクロース

今日は私がスターなのに

始まりもしない　シンデレラストーリー

キラキラの町並みに

ファイティングポーズ　立ち向かおう

今日は私がスターなのに・・・

今日は私がスターなのに・・・

今日は私がスターなのに

ツリーの上　輝くはずなのに

ついでじゃ我慢できない

ライバルはサンタクロース

今日は私もスターだから

サンタさんと名前が乗ったケーキ

キラキラの町並みも

悪くはないかな　メリークリスマス

[Romaji]

“Toki wa genroku　kurisumasu ga kirai na mono ari

Sono mono nan demo tanjoubi ga kurisumasu to no koto”

Teiban no kurisumasu songu　nagare hajimeru fuyu no hi ni wa

Zettai yuzurenai　hitotsuhanashi o kiite

Dou kangae tatte　Birthday > (dainari) Christmas

“Dotchi mo kanete” toka itte　mata isshokuta ni sareru

Aa ! Kēki no ichigo ton'naide

Totte oitanoni

Nee purezento koukan-kaite

Okashikunai?

Mou honto kurisumasu nante kirai

Kyou wa watashi ga sutaa nano ni

Tsurii no ue　kagayaku hazunanoni

Tsuide ja gaman deki nai

Raibaru wa Santa Claus

Kyou wa watashi ga sutaa nano ni

Shuyaku no za o kaketa isutori geemu

Kirakira no machinami ni

Faitingupouzu　tachimukaou

“Toki wa 220X nen　tanjoubi ga kinenbi ni kabutta monotachi wa

Hijiri Kurisu wo chuushin to shite kuudetaa wo okosu no deatta”

Teiban no kurisumasu songu　damatte kii deru wake ni ikanai

Zettai yuzurenai　chotto hanashi wo kiite

Dou kangae tatte　watashidake chotto sonshi tenai?

“Dotchi mo kanete” toka itte　mata naigashiro ni sa reru

Kikai sonshitsu tte kore ka na

Nandemo iikara

Nenrei no kazu no rousoku wo

Youi shite

Mou honto kurisumasu nante kirai

Kyou wa watashi ga sutaa nano ni

Only one no ittousei nano ni

Subtitle atsukai

Tachihadakaru Santa Claus

Kyou wa watashi ga sutaa nano ni

Hajimari mo shinai　Cinderella Story

Kirakira no machinami ni

Fighting pose　tachimukaou

Kyou wa watashi ga sutaa nano ni…

Kyou wa watashi ga sutaa nano ni...

Kyou wa watashi ga sutaa nano ni

Tsurii no ue　kagayaku hazunanoni

Tsuide ja gamandekinai

Raibaru wa Santa Claus

Kyou wa watashi mo sutaa dakara

Santa-san to namae ga notta kēki

Kirakira no machinami mo

Waruku wanai ka na　Merry Christmas

[English]

“It’s the Gentoku era*. There is a thing that I hate during Christmas.

That thing is, my birthday is on Christmas.”

When winter days start to flow, I hear classical Christmas songs

I’m absolutely not yielding, please listen to this anecdote.

No matter how you look at it, Birthday > Christmas.

“Two in one” so you said, it gets combined again.

Ah! Don’t take away strawberries on the cake

I have saved them.

Hey, the presents exchange meeting

Isn’t it weird?

Come on already, somehow I really hate Christmas.

Even though I’m the star today

Even though I should be the one shining upon the tree

I cannot stand it at all

My rival is Santa Claus.

Even though I’m the star today

I’m the leading role in this musical chair game

Let’s go to the sparkling street

In a fighting pose, I’ll face up.

“It’s year 220X, people have turned their birthdays into anniversaries

With Hijiri Kurisu as the center, I’ll start a coup d'état*”

Those classical Christmas songs, I can’t make them go silent.

I’m absolutely not yielding, please listen to me even just a little.

No matter how you look at it, don't I seem to just be wasting my time a little?

“Two in one” so you said, I will be left behind again.

Is this a loss or an opportunity?

Whatever is fine.

Candles that are equal to my age

Are being prepared

Come on already, somehow I really hate Christmas.

Even though I’m the star today

Even though I’m the first and “only one” star

I get treated like a sub-title

Santa Claus is standing out.

Even though I’m the star today

My Cinderella Story has not yet begun

Let’s go to the sparkling street

In a fighting pose, I’ll face up.

"Geez, why should my day be celebrated together with Christmas?" "We should at least be excited to eat some chicken on my birthday, right?!" "I feel like crying now..." "E-eh? A-a message from someone at this time...?" "'We'll be coming with everyone soon, okay?' it says..." "Th-that's...?" *

Even though I’m the star today...

Even though I’m the star today…

Even though I’m the star today

Even though I should be the one shining upon the tree

I cannot stand it at all

My rival is Santa Claus.

Since I��m also the star today

We'll have a cake with Santa-san's and my name on it

The streets are also sparkling

I guess it’s not that bad, Merry Christmas.

*T/N:

Gentoku era: A Japan era, started from 30 Sep 1688 to 13 Mar 1704

A coup d'état: A rebellion where one gets rid of the current leader and take that position.

This speaking part was not included in the original BK. Translated by Ryota.

Audio & BK provider: Deea

Translated by Ruby

Proof-reading by Deea & Ryota

[choicesseasonalprompts-blog]

A Choices Christmas Carol

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere we go! Okay, maybe not quite everywhere but you catch our drift! Christmas is going to be upon us before we know it and while there are some fabulous prompts already in place we, @blackcatkita and @darley1101, wanted to do something different. The following list this is made up of various Christmas Carols. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take one of the carols listed below and write a Christmas one shot, moodboard, or artwork that is inspired by the lyrics. Example: “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” could be used for a Perfect Match holiday party and Dipper rips the tree apart OR it could be a ILITW winterscape moodboard. (If anyone does write this please tag @darley1101 because she really wants this to happen)  Beneath each carol you will find a link to the lyrics as well as a version of the song to listen to (we went with the most popular but you don't have to use that rendition.) The carols are not assigned to a specific day of the month or a specific book. You can write one or you can write them all. The choice is really up to you. 

A few guidelines:

Tag @choicesseasonalprompts, message a link to the story to this blog,  and use #achoiceschristmascarol so we can be sure to add your story to the list

Make sure ratings and pairings/characters are added, as well as any warnings

Have fun!

A Choices Christmas Carol 

*Let It Snow* 

Lyrics 

Music

*Walking In A Winter Wonderland* 

Lyrics

Music

*Sleigh Ride* 

Lyrics

Music

*White Christmas*

Lyrics 

Music

*Baby It’s Cold Outside*

Lyrics 

Music

*All I Want For Christmas Is You*

Lyrics 

Music

*Santa Baby* 

Lyrics

Music

*The Most Wonderful Time of the Year*

Lyrics

Music

*I'll Be Home For Christmas*

Lyrics

Music

*A Christmas Waltz *

Lyrics

Music

*Rocking Around The Christmas Tree*

Lyrics

Music

*A Merry Little Christmas*

Lyrics

Music

*There's Not Place Like Home For The Holidays*

Lyrics

Music

*Merry Christmas Baby*

Lyrics

Music

*It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas*

Lyrics

Music

*Please Come Home For Christmas*

Lyrics

Music

*Some Day At Christmas*

Lyrics

Music

*Where Are You Christmas*

Lyrics

Music

*O Holy Night*

Lyrics

Music

*Underneath The Tree*

Lyrics

Music

*Mele Kalikimaka* 

Lyrics

Music

*Jingle Bells*

Lyrics

Music

*Last Christmas*

Lyrics

Music

*Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees*

Lyrics

Music

*Blue Christmas*

Lyrics

Music

*Santa Tell Me*

Lyrics

Music

*Mistletoe*

Lyrics

Music

*One More Sleep*

Lyrics

Music

*Christmas is all around*

Lyrics

Music

*At Christmas*

Lyrics

Music

*Christmas Don't Be Late*

Lyrics

Music

*I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Klaus*

Lyrics

Music

[meridianrose]

Holiday Songs

In years past I used to post regular holiday song entries to LJ/DWtagged as music recs/holidays and then mostly just links at Tumblr (tagged favourite songs) This year I'm posting this list of 1-2 songs per day from 1st to 26th December to LJ/DW and to Tumblr with a link to the full playlist at Spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/meridian-rose/playlist/4UrPv754SpyE7Z3HtcLr6e?si=U0n4-st6SDisf3LJIsmHHA and Youtube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaNMLczMdhM0pxvUaXEYo9J4VmaNWeEx2 They playlists include all the songs on my list I could find though there may be some variations on version/artist between the spotify and youtube playlists. I’ll reblog this list later in the month and try an embedded youtube list inbetween. There's a mix of traditional, instrumental, modern, and comedic. The full list for 2018

1st It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas – Bing Crosby is my favourite version but there are other versions out there to enjoy 2nd Sleigh Ride – there are many versions, instrumental and with lyrics, I went with The Ronettes 3rd Simply Having A Wonderful Christmastime -Paul McCartney Dos Trocitos De Madera – you can read more about this song at http://meridianrose.tumblr.com/post/154973850441/romibsauce-a-taste-of-christmas-in-my-land-and-my 4th Gaudete – Steeleye Span's version is my favourite but there's a lot of choice here 5th We Singers Make Bold (Merry Christmas) – The Spinners is my favourite version but that's hard to find an online version for but there are some traditional choral versions 6th The Christmas song (As in "chestnuts roasting on an open fire") – Nat King Cole, of course! Silver Bells – Dean Martin, got to have some Dino in here 7th God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman – I went with Nat King Cole here too for preference 8th Stop the Cavalry – Jona Lewis, an anti-war Christmas song not well known outside the UK but featuring some marvellous military style music as a WWII soldier wishes he could go home for Christmas Merry Christmas Everyone -Shakin' Stevens 9th Santa's Beard -Beach Boys 10th Carol Of The Bells – there are many great versions of this again with and without lyrics. Beautifully haunting. 11th Merry Christmas Everybody -Slade I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard 12th Christmas in Killarney - Bing Crosby O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum – a traditional carol and I went with Mario Lanza's version 13th 12 Days of Christmas – traditional, there are many fantastic arrangements of this 14th The Holly and Ivy – another traditional song which you can find with or without lyrics. I've gone with the Mediaeval Babes here. 15th In Dulci Jubilo – Mike Oldfield for preference but you can find some amazing choral performances. There's some nice background on the track here https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/mike-oldfields-jubilant-christmas-music/ 16th Ding Dong Merrily On High – another traditional one with a multitude of choices 17th Baby It's Cold Outside - Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews; this is version I first heard and the video makes it clear she's toying with him, revealing herself to be the devilish seducer who turns the tables on him. In recent years this song has come under fire for being "date rapey" but you can read some good counter arguments that look at the original version's social context and show it another light. Here are three examples: http://persephonemagazine.com/2010/12/listening-while-feminist-in-defense-of-baby-its-cold-outside/ https://dailycaller.com/2016/12/05/here-is-why-baby-its-cold-outside-is-not-a-song-about-rape/ https://www.bustle.com/p/a-tumblr-post-about-baby-its-cold-outside-historical-context-explains-that-the-song-may-have-entirely-different-meaning-6617625 18th Mele Kalikimaka – Another Bing Crosby classic but this year I discovered the Seth MacFarlane cover too so that's what I went with on Spotify. I had no idea the creator of The Orville could sing! 19th Winter Wonderland – there are a lot of covers to choose from here and the lyrics vary in places! I went with the Rod Stewart & Michael Buble version for something a bit more contemporary 20th Boar's Head Carol – I've gone with the Westminster Cathedral Choir but again a traditional carol with lots of versions 21st Ring Out Solstice Bells – Jethro Tull Santa Claus is Pagan Too – Emerald Rose (cover version on Spotify, original artist on Youtube) 22nd Deck the Halls – traditional, so take your pick, I went with the Westminster Cathedral Choir again 23rd C'était la veille de Noël (It was the Eve of Christmas Day)– another Spinners song, with French and English lyrics; there are some wholly French performances, mostly by children's choirs and I've included a French version on the Spotify and Youtube playlists Christmas Eve – Kelly Clarkson 24th Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer – Dr Elmo Here Comes Santa Claus – Bob B Boxx and the Blue Jeans but there are other covers 25th I Saw Three Ships – traditional carol so plenty of options here Adeste Fideles/Come All Ye Faithful – Nat King Cole though I also like the Bing Crosby version; plenty of choral performances of this traditional carol are available 26th Good King Wenceslas – "went out on the Feast of Stephen" ie the 26th aka Boxing Day in the UK and Canada. Traditional carol.

[jobethdalloway]

omg we're only a week into december and i'm gonna flip a table if i have to listen to bing crosby etc at home one more time or michael buble at work. My mom insists on playing holiday music 24/7 but is open to suggestions and i was wondering if you had anything you'd recommend? You seem like you'd know some out-of-the-box choices

Hi there! you absolutely came to the right person! Well, maybe haha. I have some recommendations for you!!! And I’ll link you to Youtube playlists when possible.

1) My family’s go-to, every-year, no-contest favorite Christmas album is Maureen McGovern’s. We all have our preferred albums of choice, but this is the one we all love whole-heartedly. Maureen has such a beautiful voice, she somehow manages to make the classics sound new (Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, O Holy Night; she straight-up updates Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town in a pretty fun way). She also puts together some wonderful medleys, and includes a number of songs I’ve never heard elsewhere (The Christmas Tree, Our First Christmas, Do You Know It’s Christmas). A wonderful mixture of fun and reverence, when needed!

2) Our family’s other go-to is the Readers’ Digest Christmas Through the Years (a few different YouTube playlists come up when you search for this one). What I love about this collection is that it includes a lot of classic songs, but not the best-known versions, so you get to hear these wonderful different takes on familiar songs and a lot of different voices from the ‘40s-’70s. One of my faves is the Lettermen’s Christmas Waltz. In addition to the classics there are also lesser-known vintage niche songs, which I think is a lot of fun. See: The Merry Christmas Polka, which leads to a required dancing break every Christmas at our house, haha.

3) Christmas with Judy Collins is one my mom and I really like. Like Maureen, she does a handful of well-known songs, but they don’t feel like typical straight covers. It might be that her voice is clear as a damn bell, but man, there is just something ethereal about them. I also love that she takes on lesser-done songs, like the Wexford Carol, and she introduced me to The Cherry Tree Carol which just has such a gorgeous melody and I love it. 

4) John Denver & the Muppets: Christmas Together. This might be less charming if you’re not into the Muppets, but John does a few of the songs on his own. My favorite is “Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913″ from a poem presumably written on that date. It’s beautiful and his voice is so lovely. 

5) The Singers Unlimited Christmas. This is old-school a capella at its finest. I am a sucker for good harmonies (another reason why I probably love the Lettermen so much!), and this group has it down pat, oh my gosh. Beautiful four-part harmonies executed on every song - they grab your attention! Even though most of the songs are familiar ones, they’re done in such a way that to me makes them feel so unique.

6) Broadway: Carols for a Cure - oh my gosh, I’m just learning this seems to be an annual thing they do?? I’ll have to check out more! (It’s so titled bc proceeds go to funding AIDS research.) Each song is performed by the cast of a then-running Broadway show, and I linked you to what is unquestionably the best rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” repurposed as “The 12 Days of Phantom” by the Phantom of the Opera cast. Each line is tackled a different way with each round, and it’s so hilarious. Love it. 

7) Take 6: He Is Christmas - More great harmonies!! A capella gospel, how can you not love it? (Well … I mean I guess you can’t, but my dad loves it and this is one of his perennial faves) This is all spiritual music, again with some numbers that may be less familiar to some sprinkled in with classics - and, again, they make those standards sound fresh. Zing. Pop. 

8) If you’re sick of songs with lyrics and your mother would be amenable to instrumental music, I highly recommend these two albums the Metropolitan Museum put out for a Renaissance Christmas and Baroque Christmas. Just lovely, lovely stuff that evokes the holiday without foisting any obnoxiously ubiquitous songs on you (I actually think Greensleeves and the Coventry Carol are the only ones I recognize). 

9) The Andrews’ Sisters Christmas - I wasn’t sure if they fit into the “etc” after your Bing Crosby remark (which is why I didn’t include Nat King Cole here - but he is fabulous and my favorite of the old crooners!). Just in case, I thought I’d throw them in. Those harmonies, my goodness, they really are amazing and make these all sound so fresh. They have fun jazzy takes on some standards and include some more fun vintage stuff I’ve never heard elsewhere (Christmas Island, The Christmas Tree Angel, Christmas Candles). 

10) I thought I’d better make this a round ten, so if anyone in your family digs disco, I’d recommend Earth Wind & Fire’s holiday album. Pretty damn hard not to tap your foot with the beat here and it’s just such goofy fun. 

Anyway! Sorry if that was TMI, I just REALLY love Christmas music, haha. And I love these ones in particular because they aren’t just “let’s churn out a Christmas album I guess;” they are all so full of heart and passion and beauty, both spiritual and secular. There are other albums I like - Doris Day, The Carpenters, the Charlie Brown soundtrack; my dad loves Diana Krall’s and James Taylor’s Christmas albums - but I figured they’re pretty ubiquitous and/or don’t do much original with the music like the above 10 do. Hope you find something you like! Happy listening!! 

[alecthemovieguy]

Merry Subversive Christmas: Quirky songs to get you through the holidays

Over the years, I’ve gathered quite a collection of off-beat, dark or subversive Christmas songs. These songs are the alternatives to the familiar ones saturating the airwaves, so if you’re looking for something different, these might do the trick.

“Cool Yule” — Tony Rodelle Larson (1962)

This is often mislabeled as being performed by William Shatner. It is easy to understand the confusion as Larson’s broken speech patterns do indeed bring to mind Shatner’s riffs on such songs as “Rocket Man.” This beatnik take on “Twas Night the Night Before Christmas” is most definitely way out.

“Monster’s Holiday” — Bobby “Boris” Pickett (1962)

After the “Monster Mash” became a hit this quickie sequel was churned out. There are some amusing riffs on holiday classics, but it is mostly a shameless rewrite of the original. It was a minor hit, but didn’t remain a holiday classic.

“Silver Bells” — Paul Simon and Steve Martin (Sometime in the late 1970s)

This rare show rehearsal starts out simple enough with Simon doing a lovely version of this classic song, but soon Simon’s singing becomes mere backdrop for Martin deadpanning through a cynical monologue on the true meaning of Christmas that ranges from goofy to racy.

“Father Christmas” — The Kinks (1977)

Leave it to The Kinks, the same band that sang about an encounter with the transvestite “Lola,” to write a song about mugging Santa. Ray Davies’ sunny delivery masks the nastiness in lyrics such as “Father Christmas, give us some money/Don’t mess around with those silly toys/Well beat you up if you don’t hand it over.”

“Christmas in the Stars” (from the “Star Wars” Christmas album of the same name) (1980)

Strange and frightening things began to happen after the tremendous success of the original “Star Wars,” including an astoundingly awful 1978 holiday special. Lessons weren’t learned and two years later producer Meco — hot off his successful disco version of the “Star Wars” theme — produced a Christmas album from a galaxy far, far away. “Christmas in the Stars” is so bad as to become campy fun.

“There Ain’t No Sanity Clause” — The Damned (1980)

English punk band The Damned released this song just in time for the holiday season, but it failed to chart perhaps because no one wanted to have the Santa Claus bubble popped for the youngest yuletide revelers. The lyrics are barely intelligible, but, it is the sing-a-long anthem-like chorus that brings this one home.

"Bollocks To Christmas" — The Business (1981)

English punk bands must have had it out for Christmas in the early ’80s. Elton John's 1973 holiday classic "Step Into Christmas" gets rewritten and reworked into rollicking anti-Christmas anthem that is a welcome antidote for those overdosing on Christmas cheer.

“Christmas in Heaven” — Monty Python (1983)

Monty Python were always known for loopy songs that often pointed out the hypocrisies or the idiosyncrasies of society. In the film “The Meaning of Life,” Graham Chapman sings a caustic song about the consumerism and commercialism that runs rampant during the holiday season that includes lyrics like: “There’s great films on TV/"The Sound of Music” twice an hour/And ‘Jaws’ one, two, and three.“

"Christmas at Ground Zero” - “Weird Al” Yankovic (1986)

Weird Al’s song parodies are usually goofy and innocuous, but Al also has a macabre and twisted sense of humor that occasionally shines through. Written in 1986, “Christmas at Ground Zero” is a biting satire on Cold War paranoia filtered through the sound of a festive holiday tune. Are lines like: “It’s Christmas at ground zero/There’s panic in the crowd/We can dodge debris while we trim the tree/Underneath the mushroom cloud” riotously funny, or simply in bad taste? You be the judge.

“Christmas In Hollis” — Run DMC (1987)

This is a happy hip hop holiday song about Christmas in Queens, N.Y. The song includes such endearingly goofy lyrics as “It was December 24th on Hollis Ave in the dark/When I seen a man chilling with his dog in the park/I approached very slowly with my heart full of fear/Looked at his dog, oh my God, an ill reindeer.”

“Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” — The Ramones (1989)

The Ramones were still kicking around in the late 1980s cranking out three-chord ditties. Surprisingly, one of the best songs from this era is a Christmas song about the tensions of the season and the need for forgiveness.

“Santa Song” — Adam Sandler (1993)

Everyone is familiar with Sandler’s “Chanukah Song,” but he actually did a Christmas themed song that pre-dates its by a year. In this one Sandler sings about all the reasons he won’t be getting a visit from Santa. Best line: “Santa don’t like bad boys…especially Jewish ones.”

“12 Days of Yaksmas” — Ren and Stimpy (1993)

There have been numerous parodies of the “12 Days of Christmas,” which is your favorite really comes down to personal preference. As a youth in the 1990s, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the warped antics of this dog and cat team.

“Burger/Christmas Medley” — Phil Hartman and Sinbad (1995)

Hidden in the closing credits of the film “Houseguest,” a largely forgettable comedy that lives on as cable TV filler, this is an amusing medley of barbecue-themed Christmas songs. Hartman even reprises some of his most famous “Saturday Night Live” impressions, including Frank Sinatra and Bill Clinton.

“Little Drum Machine Boy” — Beck (1996)

“The Little Drummer Boy” gets morphed into an odd dance and rap flavored Chanukah anthem featuring “the holiday Chanukah robot of funk.” Beck is a chameleon-like musician who blends different genres with amazing skill. It is hardly traditional, but certainly original and memorable.

“The Night Santa Went Crazy” — Weird Al Yankovic (1996)

Don’t be fooled by the sweet guitar strumming of the open, this Christmas carol turns humorously sour fast. Yankovic turns his twisted mind on Christmas in the story of the night Santa finally snapped and became a “big, fat, disgruntled yuletide Rambo.”

“I Won’t Be Home for Christmas” — Blink 182 (1997)

Goofball pop/punk rockers wrote this anthem for all those who are driven up the wall by the holiday season. The song features bitter, but funny lyrics like: “It’s time to be nice to the people you can’t stand all year/I’m growing tired of all this Christmas cheer.”

“I Want an Alien for Christmas” — Fountains of Wayne (1997)

Years before Fountains of Wayne recorded its breakup out “Stacy’s Mom,” the band recorded this cheerfully loopy song that seems to be a modern riff on “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” It is hard not to smile at such lyrics as “I want a little green guy/About three feet high/With seventeen eyes.”

“O Holy Night” — Eric Cartman (1999)

“South Park” dedicated a whole episode to satirizing holiday music back in 1999. This is one of the tamer songs from the episode with the spoiled Cartman butchering the holiday classic to hilarious effect.

“Lonely Christmas Eve” - Ben Folds (2000)

Faith Hill’s “Where Are You, Christmas?” got all the attention, but this song is probably the best thing to come out of Ron Howard’s bloated film version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Written from the perspective of the Grinch, the tongue-in-cheek piano-man perfectly captures the Dr Seuss tone in a way the movie it appeared in never did while also adding his own quirky sense of humor.

“Bizarre Christmas Incident” — Ben Folds (2002)

Folds hasn’t done a Christmas album, but based on this and the above song, it would be one of the funniest ones ever recorded. This aptly named song unfolds a dark tale of a man encountering Santa in the night. The song answer the question of what would happen if Santa got stuck in the chimney. Needless to say, it doesn’t end pretty. Best enjoyed by those who like their humor black.

“Jingle Bells” - Brian Setzer Orchestra (2002) Setzer reinterprets “Jingle Bells” with his familiar swinging rockabilly stamp. It is a hoot to hear him change the “one horse open sleigh” to a “57 Chevrolet.”

“Elf’s Lament” — Barenaked Ladies (2004)

On “Barenaked for the Holidays” the Ladies presented a collection of Christmas favorite as well as original songs featuring their quirky sense of humor. On this song an elf complains “I make toys, but I’ve got aspirations.”  Bonus: this song features vocals from Michael Bublé.

“Mr. Heat Miser” — Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (2004)

The song first appeared in the 1974 stop-motion animation special “The Year Without Santa.” Thirty years later the swing revival group Big Bad Voodoo Daddy recorded the definitive version of the song for their holiday album “Everything You Want for Christmas.”

“Christmastime for the Jews” — Darlene Love (2005)

Robert Smigel contributed a series of animated shorts to “Saturday Night Live” called “TV Funhouse.” This was one of the best with soul singer Love providing the vocals to a song that describes what Jews do while gentiles “stay at home and party with their goyish family.”

“Dick in a Box” - Lonely Island and Justin Timberlake (2006)

When it first aired on “Saturday Night Live” Dec. 16, 2006, it was clear it would become an instant classic. A parody of ‘90s R&B was an ideal fit for Timberlake, but when you got to the punchline, it was the last thing you expected.

“I’m Getting Nuttin’ for Christmas” — Relient K (2007)

Christian punk/pop band Relient K’s do a fast, rocking cover of the novelty song “I’m Getting Nuttin’ for Christmas.” The snarling punk attitude and crunching guitars suit lyrics like “I broke my bat on Johnny’s head/Somebody snitched on me” quite well.

“Another Christmas Song” — Stephen Colbert (2008)

Stephen Colbert did a hilarious parody of holiday specials in 2008. The special’s songs either subverted preexisting songs or, in this case, are something completely new. Lyrics like “The tree is frozen, the winter’s bright/Who’d have thought the wise men look so white” are made all the funnier by Colbert’s authentic crooning.

“Present Face” — Garfunkel and Oates (2008)

This female comedy-folk duo combines disarming charming and simple hooks with goofy and/or raunchy lyrics. In this case the duo leans toward the silly side as they sing about the all too familiar face people make when they get a present they don’t like.

“Christmas Tree” — Lady Gaga featuring Space Cowboy (2008)

Leave it to Lady Gaga, the reigning pop queen of weirdness, to co-write a Christmas song filled with dance beats and dripping with sexual innuendos. It is most definitely not family friendly, but the audacity is admirable.

“Merry Something to You” — Devo (2009)

Yep, Devo, those quirky new wavers recorded a song for the holidays. Blending cheery, generic holiday music with the synthesizers and drum beats they are known for, the band creates an infectious little ditty. Devo often used their songs to satirize society and that’s most definitely the case here as they proclaim: “Believe what you want nothing’s really true.”

“Oh Shit, It’s Christmastime!” — Mad Tea Party (2009)

This uke-abilly band vents their frustration for Christmas in this infectious two-minute ditty. The cynical lyrics include sentiments that anyone can relate to, if only fleetingly: “It’s Christmas, forgot about the pagans and Jews/It’s Christmas and it makes me blue.”

“Christmas Night of the Living Dead” — MxPx (2009)

It was perhaps inevitable that there would be a zombie-themed Christmas song. Punk rockers MxPx present this bloody tale of Christmas carnage featuring the chorus: “Christmas night of the living dead/My face is green and the snow is red.”

“I Wish It Was Christmas Today” — Julian Casablancas (2009)

Originally a goofy tune performed on “Saturday Night Live” by Horatio Sanz, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan and Tracy Morgan, Casablancas, the lead singer of The Strokes, fleshes it out into a full-fledged rocking Christmas song. The added production value manages to enhance the simple charms of the skit rather than undermine it.

“All I Need Is Love” —  CeeLo Green Feat. The Muppets (2012)

The Muppet’s classic “Mahna Mahna” becomes the spine for this joyous collaboration with CeeLo Green, in which Green proclaims all he needs is love for Christmas. Slick modern pop production combined with the silliness of the Muppets make this hard to resist.

"The Season's Upon Us" — Dropkick Murphys (2012)

Boston’s beloved Celtic punk band offers up their take on the holiday season. The song gleefully embraces familial dysfunction and chaos with such  lyrics like “My sisters are wack jobs, I wish I had none/Their husbands are losers and so are their sons.” 

“I Fucking Love Christmas” — Rob Scallon and Doug Walker (2014)

Doug Walker has been providing irreverent movie reviews on the Internet as the Nostalgic Critic since 2007. He loves Christmas. He really loves Christmas, which he makes abundantly clear in this gloriously over-the-top song. The hilariously explicit lyrics definitely require parental discretion.

“Sump’n Claus” — Kenan Thompson (2014)

“Saturday Night Live” delivers again with yet another hilarious satire of Christmas. Here Kenan Thompson plays Sump’n Claus, who, unlike Santa Claus and his judgmental list, declares “everybody’s gettin’ sump’n” and that something is cold hard cash in a white envelope. Just don’t ask where it came from.

“Text Me Merry Christmas” — Straight No Chaser and Kristen Bell (2014)

A cappella group Straight No Chaser is joined by actress Bell for a perfect mix of sincerity and satire in looking at love and the holiday season in the modern age. Playful lyrics like “I don’t care if you spell things right/I just want to hear from you tonight/Stroke those keys with your delicate touch/And type those little words that mean so much” are delivered with a charming sweetness.

“Santa’s Coming For Us” — Sia (2017)

Every year, a new crop of artists release Christmas-themed albums. Typically, they are filled with covers of the same holiday standards with a couple originals thrown. Refreshingly, Sia’s “Everyday is Christmas” features all new songs that perfectly blend Sia’s idiosyncratic pop sensibilities with the upbeat sounds of the season. Lead single “Santa’s Coming For Us” is effervescent and catchy in way that never becomes insufferable.

[singing-planets]

🎄 O Christmas Tree with lyric 🎄 O Tannenbaum | Christmas Songs and Carol...

O Christmas Tree

O Tannenbaum | Christmas Songs and Carols

 "O Tannenbaum", or in its English version, "O Christmas Tree", is a Christmas song of German origin.

A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (German die Tanne) or Christmas tree (der Weihnachtsbaum). Its evergreen qualities have long inspired musicians to write several "Tannenbaum" songs in German.

The best known version was written in 1824 by the Leipzig organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschütz. The melody is an old folk tune. The first known lyrics date back to 1550. A similar 1615 song by Melchior Franck (1573–1639) begins:

Ach Tannenbaum, ach Tannenbaum, du bist ein edler Zweig! Du grünest uns den Winter, die liebe Sommerzeit.

 English version, lyric:

 O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

Your branches green delight us!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

Your branches green delight us!

They are green when summer days are bright,

They are green when winter snow is white.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

Your branches green delight us!

 O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

You give us so much pleasure!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

You give us so much pleasure!

How oft at Christmas tide the sight,

O green fir tree, gives us delight!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

You give us so much pleasure!

 O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Forever true your colour!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

Forever true your colour!

Your boughs so green in summertime

Stay bravely green in wintertime.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Forever true your colour!

 O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

You fill my heart with music!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

You fill my heart with music!

Reminding me on Christmas Day

To think of you and then be gay.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

You fill my heart with music!

[celtfather]

Celtic Christmas Cheer #440

Merry Christmas from the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast lots of Celtic Christmas culture and cheer.

Eira, Heather Dale, Peat in the Creel, Marc Gunn, Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy, Alexander James Adams, A Shamrock in Kudzu, The Wee Heavies, Jil Chambless, Ed Miller, Scooter Muse, Spencer & Beane, The Selkie Girls, Sarah Marie Mullen , Susan Toman, Farsan, Aizle & Riognach Connolly, Tommy Sands

I hope you enjoyed this week's show. If you did, please share the show with ONE friend.

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is dedicated to growing our community and helping the incredible artists who so generously share their music. If you find music you love, buy their albums, shirts, and songbooks, follow them on Spotify, see their shows, and drop them an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast.

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VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 With the new year comes a new votes in the Celtic Top 20. This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. Just list the show number, and the name of as many bands in the episode as you like. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2019 episode.  Vote Now!

THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC

0:05 - "Taladh Chriosda" by Eira from Glen Tidings Pronunciation: Tall-uck Crees-da

3:25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS

4:06 - "O Come All Ye Faithful" by Heather Dale from Spark

8:25 - "Merry Christmas Jig, Masters of the Hall, All Around the Holly Tree" by Peat in the Creel from Winter

12:50 - "Slainte Mhaith Christmas" by Marc Gunn from Single

14:52 - "Ding Dong Merrily On High" by Natalie MacMaster/Donnell Leahy from A Celtic Family Christmas

18:06 - CELTIC CHRISTMAS FEEDBACK

23:32 - "Wintertide" by Alexander James Adams from Wintertide

29:21 - "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen w/The Lamplighter's Jig" by A Shamrock in Kudzu from Kudzu for Christmas

31:14 - "Court of a King" by The Wee Heavies from A Christmas Minding

34:35 - "Christmas Card" by Jil Chambless, Ed Miller and Scooter Muse from Nollaig Chridheil / Songs of the Christmas Season

35:48 - "Blessed Be That Maid Mairie" by Spencer & Beane from On Christmas Day in the Morning

39:03 - CELTIC PODCAST NEWS

41:15 - "Upon a Winter's Night" by The Selkie Girls from Winter Lore: Songs of Celtic Christmas

44:44 - "Good King Wenceslas" by Sarah Marie Mullen from In the Moon of Wintertime

47:22 - "The Sussex Carol" by Susan Toman from Angels on High

50:31 - "A' Mhisg A Chuir An Nollaig" by Farsan from Farsan Pronunciation: A-Vishk a cur an knoll-ig

54:16 - "The Wexford Carol" by Aizle & Riognach Connolly from The Wexford Carol

58:49 - CLOSING - NOLLAIG SHONA DAOIBH

1:00:00 - "Slainte Mhaith/The Cat in the Attic" by Tommy Sands from To Shorten the Winter - An Irish Christmas

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts or to our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $1 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/.

  CELTIC PODCAST NEWS

* Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. My name is Marc Gunn. I am a Celtic musician and podcaster. This show is dedicated to the indie Celtic musicians. I want to ask you to support these artists. Share the show with your friends. And find more episodes at celticmusicpodcast.com. You can also support this podcast on Patreon.

If you enjoy this episode makes sure you subscribe to the Celtic Christmas Podcast. You’ll get over 50 episodes of Christmas music by Celtic musicians.

Find more Celtic Christmas music, including podcasts, videos, Spotify playlists, Celtic Christmas song lyrics, and even some free downloads.

Stephen Conroy’s Celtic Playlists

TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through it's culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Join the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/

THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out every week and has done so since 2014. You can pledge a dollar or more per episode and cap how much you want to spend each month over on Patreon.

Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. Plus, you get to hear episodes before regular listeners. When we hit a milestone, you get an extra-long episode. We are super close to getting a two-hour instrumental special.

I want to thank our Patrons of the Podcast:

You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast at http://patreon.com/celticpodcast.

  I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com

James Slaven emailed a photo last year: "I’ve very much enjoyed the holiday music! The main podcast’s Christmas was a great cherry on top.  Listened while baking Busha Bread (my great-grandmother’s recipe) for family holidays. Keep it up!"

Brian Stuepfert of Sacramento, California emailed a photo: "Training for a marathon with celtic and Irish music in my ears."

Neill McShea emailed: "Hey man, Just got back from a trip to Asia so I hadn’t actually heard any of the recent podcast. Nice job on the track titles! Sounded like a true Gaeligor!"

Thanks also to Neill for helping with my Gaelic pronunciation on many of the recent episodes of the podcasts.

Michael Vitagliano emailed: "Hey Mark! My wife and I are listening to episode 430 while driving from Galway to Dublin. It’s our last couple of days on the Emerald Isle and one stop is definitely going to be Cobblestone in Dublin for some amazing live trad tunes. One thing I’ve been surprised about being over here is the lack of cd shops. Back in the States we stream everything, but I understand why artists over here don’t want to be on services like Spotify. We’re going to explore Claddagh Records tomorrow and I’m optimistic we’ll find a pretty solid selection. I don’t know how much more work it is for you, but to include album links in the episodes would definitely help us in finding the artist and knowing which album to purchase. Just throwing that out there. Love the podcast, we’ve been binging it these past two weeks here in Ireland. It’s definitely made the experience that much more special."

Joseph Rosenthal emailed: "Hey Marc! I've been listening for about 2 months now and love hearing the diverse styles of Celtic music and helps me expand my knowledge on artists. I was going to email a favorite local Celtic group I listen to religiously during the Maryland Renaissance Festival called The Hooligans, but I'm unsure if you've played them already since you and they've been around for a couple years. Is there a condensed archive of Artists you have shared on your Podcast available? Keep up the good work! And good on you for imploring that no hate comes to your podcast! I like the focus on the positivity!"

#celticchristmas #irishchristmas #scottishchristmas

  Check out this episode!

[universallycoffeetragedy]

O, Christmas Tree

Amy Reade’s new lyrics to an old Christmas song will make you smile—especially if you have a cat! Thanks, Amy, for making merry musically and sharing it with all of us. Happy Christmas, everyone.

[servinglemonade]

My Favorite Christmas Music

Hello everyone, it’s Christmas Eve tonight, so to celebrate I thought I would share my favorite Christmas music! Let’s get festive

Merry Christmas (II You) - Mariah Carey I am sure we can all agree that Mariah is the queen of Christmas. We all know that All I Want For Christmas Is You is iconic! But I also adore some other songs on the album. Her version of O Holy Night, for example, is a true vocal masterpiece! On the Merry Christmas II You album my favorites are Oh Santa and Christmas Time Is In The Air Again.

Under the mistletoe - Justin Bieber Of course, I have to talk about my faves Christmas album, which I have been listening to non-stop every Christmas since it came out (which is 2011). It has your Christmas favorites with a twist and a lot of original songs that are so good! There are amazing collaborations as well! I love every song on the album, but my favorites are Mistletoe, The Christmas Song (feat. Usher), Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Fa La La (feat. Boyz II Men), Christmas Eve, Home This Christmas and Christmas Love.

Christmas Kisses, Santa Tell Me and Christmas and Chill - Ariana Grande Ariana and Christmas music is like a match made in heaven. Her voice is perfect for it and combine that with some amazing songs and you have got yourself some new Christmas jams. Christmas Kisses is the first EP she put out is my favorite! It has such a nice, festive vibe to it. Love Is Everything and Snow In California are the best ones. Santa Tell Me is such a jam and always puts me in a good mood! Christmas and Chill is a Christmas EP that is very, well chill! I always put it on when I’m doing homework during the Holidays. It has a really nice vibe to it! My favorites are Wit It This Christmas, December and Winter Things.

Someday at Christmas - Stevie Wonder This song truly embodies the true spirit of Christmas. It’s a family favorite here at my house and I couldn’t agree more. The lyrics are beautiful. The song is about how people that are struggling hopefully will not have to anymore someday at Christmas. Now if that isn’t the spirit of Christmas, I don’t know either.

Christmas - Michael Bublé Another iconic Christmas album. Michael his jazzy take on some iconic Christmas song and even some brand new original songs are super festive! My favorites from the album include It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, White Christmas (feat. Shania Twain), Holly Jolly Christmas, Cold December Night and The Christmas Song

Believe - Josh Groban This song is so beautiful, it’s almost magical. It’s from the movie The Polar Express and it’s just perfect. I don’t have anything else to say about it. Just listen to it, you won’t be disappointed!

These Are The Special Times - Céline Dion While we are enjoying Christmas dinner it’s usually with this playing in the background! It’s such an amazing album, especially with Céline her vocals. My favorites include O Holy Night, Another Year Has Gone By, The Magic of Christmas Day, These Are The Special Times and Happy Xmas (War is Over).

Simply Christmas - Leslie Odom Jr You might know Leslie from Hamilton, so you know how amazing he is! I was pleasantly surprised by his album. It’s a good mix of songs, very simple and very good. I really like listening to this album while making my homework. It makes it a little more bearable. My favorites include My Favorite Things, The First Noel, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Merry Christmas Darling, and Winter Song.

Honorable Mentions O Holy Night - Glee Cast My Only Wish (This Year) - Britney Spears 8 Days of Christmas - Destiny’s Child Shake Up Christmas - Train This Christmas - Chris Brown Last Christmas - Wham! Do You Hear What I Hear - Mary J Blige featuring Jessie J The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Jackson 5 Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee Baby It’s Cold Outside - Idina Menzel featuring Michael Bublé Underneath The Tree - Kelly Clarkson Comin Home - Trey Songz Why Couldn’t It Be Christmas Everyday - Bianca Ryan Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Christina Aguilera Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Frank Sinatra

That was it for this post. I hope you enjoyed it and found some new Christmas music! 

You can listen to all my favorites in my Spotify Christmas playlist

Stay Festive!

XO

Yenai