Public Service Announcement #427

Greetings, and thank you for your time.

It has come to our attention that the Christmas season is now upon us. For many of you, that Day After Thanksgiving is merely a springboard for you to allow Christmas to throw up all over your house, your life, your car, yourself (if you are of the Christmas Sweater Persuasion.) I applaud you for taking action and for getting your Christmas Lights up so fast that the rest of us feel like we have fallen behind despite the fact that it is still November.

At this time, I have an urgent matter I must bring to your attention. This Christmas season, I encourage you go through the steps of getting yourself in the "holiday spirit:" drink your red cups of coffee, bundle up in your scarves and sweaters (in 70 degree weather-gotta love Southern California!) and allow yourself to consume the holiday goodies that make the season so sweet.

However, as you go to turn on your Christmas Music, USE EXTREME CAUTION! Why? Because there is a lot of dangerous music walking around disguised as "Christmas Music" but by allowing it into your home, you could be putting your very holiday memories at risk of being ruined because of your poor choice.

Listen up people: Just because it talks about snow and things jingling, does NOT MEAN IT IS GOOD!

Be critical of your music. Beware of the tunes you allow your children to attach to their wonderful Christmas memories...if you are decorating the tree while listening to Stevie Nicks sing Silent Night, don't be surprised if they start shoving egg crate carton ornaments in their ears and running from the room screaming.

While you are driving to the mall, and "Jingle Bells" as sung by meowing cats comes on, DO NOT LAUGH! Don't turn it up and call your mother and discuss how this is possibly the funniest thing you have ever heard because it isn't. It is just sad and you, clearly, need an intervention.

May I make some suggestions? these are just a few of the Staples of Christmas Music. I do have other music I listen to but this is all a must. I have even provided the Amazon links should you find yourself lacking any of these albums.


Ella Fitzgerald-Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
A fun and jolly way to get yourself in the mood. Recommended for shopping, tree decorating or any party held in the month of December


The Boston Pops Orchestra-Holiday Pops
Great music, performed beautifully and conducted by the always adorable Tiny Keith Lockhart

Harry Connick Jr.-Harry For the Holidays or When My Heart Finds Christmas
I am biased since I am a huge Harry fan but there is something about his selection of both traditional and religious songs that really conveys that he "gets" that it is Christmas

The Carpenters-Christmas Portrait
My parents did right by me since this is the CD that we always listened to while driving around looking at CHRISTMAS LIIIIIIIIGHTS!!!!! (Yelling was mandatory.) Enjoy the sweet harmonies of the brother and sister duo because you know that deep down inside you know all the words to "Close to You."


Vince Guaraldi-A Charlie Brown Christmas
I don't make it a point to insult my readers but if you don't have this CD, then you might as well say that you don't celebrate Christmas. They sell it at Starbucks for crying out loud, you don't have any excuse.

I hope that this list can give you a good base to good, quality Christmas music. Don't settle for second rate--immerse yourself with only the best.

And Merry Christmas