All I Want for Christmas…
…is you, ba-a-a-bee…
Want to get into the spirit? Click here.
Okay, but before we discuss Christmas carols, I want to remind everyone of the special Plotmonkeys deal we have going…
If you buy any Plotmonkey book between now and the new year, either as a gift to you or to someone you love and send us a receipt (by email preferrably, or to my PO Box) we will send you a signed bookplate from the author or authors you bought, as well as bookmarks and such from the rest of us. You can buy the books anywhere–even Vero already sent us her receipt, in German, from Germany! So long as the package we mail out is an ounce or less, we’ll pay for the postage to send you the goodies! You just have to send us a receipt…scanned from a store or forwarded from online! We’ve already had people send Amazon, eHarlequin and B&N receipts.
It’s really easy and a great incentive to buy books for your friends and loved ones (not to mention yourself!) for the Holidays!!!
If you go the snail mail route, it’s PO Box 270885 Tampa FL 33688-0885.
Okay, commercial over.
I love Christmas songs…in moderation. We have a radio station in town that went 24/7 Christmas songs the day of Thanksgiving. Frankly, that’s a bit much…mainly because they clearly only paid for rights for about 45 songs that they play over and over. And our CD player has been broken forever and I’ve lost track of most of my Christmas CDs. My favorite is a combilation with all these different rock groups. Bruce Springsteen’s Santa Claus is Coming to Town is my favorite off that CD, though I also love the version by the Jackson Five.
I love the Eurythmics version of Winter Wonderland.
I love Madonna’s version of Santa Baby.
Elton John’s Step Into Christmas.
I could be here all day listing all of my favorite Christmas carols and who sings them.
But I want to hear from you…which Christmas songs can you not resist? The ones that make you sing, even if you don’t sing. Maybe one that makes you dance? The Mariah Carey one definitely gets me dancing.
And does anyone else wish Feliz Navidad had more than 6 words in the whole song? (Okay 6 in Spanish, 13 in English…not enough words!) I don’t like rinse and repeat songs.
For a hymn, this one can’t be beat…
What about you???
******************
NOTE:
I’ve heard from Amelia for Sunday’s winner … I haven’t heard from
# 33 - Kathy Sanders - PINK LARGE SLIPPERS
Kathy if you’re there, give me a yell!
Email me at: carly phillips @ mac . com (no spaces) with your name/address/book choice and I’ll get your prize mailed to you!
I love…
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” :candycane:
U2’s “Baby Please Come Home” :menorah:
Kenny G’s album for my mellow holiday mood :stocking:
Garth Brooks’ “Silent Night” :wreath:
To name a few….
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 12, 2007 @ 7:04 am
Also…
Harry Connick Jr’s version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” :snowmanhead:
“Do They Know It’s Christmas Time” by multiple artists :santawhat:
And would holiday would be complete w/o the “Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler?
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 12, 2007 @ 7:11 am
Good morning everyone…plotmonkeys…
I absolutely LOVE Celine Dion and her Christmas album, These are the Special Times, is one of my favorites…I could listen to her all day…I also love Reba McEntire’s Secret of Giving, Luther Vandross’ This is Christmas, 98 degrees’ This Christmas, Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas, Newsong’s The Christmas Shoes (very nice tv movie too), Trisha Yearwood’s The Sweetest Gift, Bebe & CeCe Winans’ First Christmas, CeCe Winans’ His Gift, Boys to Men’s Christmas Interpretations, Martina McBride’s White Christmas, Sounds of Blackness (Gospel) The Night Before Christmas (very different from typical Christmas songs), Kathy Mattea’s Good News, The Soundtrack to the Preacher’s Wife with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington, Kirk Franklin & the Family’s Christmas, and last but definitely NOT LEAST, Bing Crosby’s White Christmas….I could go on an one…they are all special and unique in their own ways even though the songs are the same…but when sung by different people, it certainly has a different sound…I also have traditional ones that I listen to, but I will put these in my CD player and let it run…I shuffle them too, so you never know what you are going to hear at any given time…
Jules, love this blog…I could go on and on about Christmas songs…when I was in HS, my favorite song to sing was the Cantite de Noel (Holy Night)…
Could we add fav Christmas movies too?
White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart, The Preacher’s Wife starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston along with Courtney B. Vance…how about Miracle on 34th Street (the original version…can’t remember who starred in that one)?…that’s just a few, but I am sure more will hit me later…
Have a wonderful day everyone and
mastree: :menorah:…I hope you all get all the 
you want…
Some of these could be used as gift ideas…hmmm….
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — December 12, 2007 @ 7:13 am
Hey guys, I am back…
Jules how about this one? On the first day of Christmas the tree man sold to me…a dead guy in a pear tree…
kidding guys…but if you haven’t started reading Leslie’s online story at eHarlequin check it out…it is getting better and better everyday…no duh…look who is writing it…
all jokes aside…I wish they would package the entire story up when done and offer it for sale…
Everyone, I just want to thank you all for “being there for me.” This time of year is tough for me and if I didn’t have this forum to jump on each day, just to catch a break in my depressive mood, I don’t know where I would be…I am so glad I found you guys…
I know that statement makes me an official killjoy…do they even still use that word?
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — December 12, 2007 @ 7:29 am
I am a Christmas music ho. Ho-ho. I don’t mind that that is all we are playing at work. I love the new Michael Buble and Josh Grobin cd’s. Even the Toby Keith was isn’t bad (and I love Toby). And Jeff Foxworthy’s 12 Days too.
Give me Bing Crosby and White Christmas anyday. It is my fav holiday movie.
I pop onto our 24/7 Christmas station whenever the rest of the channels suck, which is a lot. They are playing old and new stuff, so it is always different.
And as for Garth Brooks. He is still my man. Just watched the live concert again (as opposed to seeing it live also. ) I can’t wait for him to hit the road again. Are you listening Santa???
mastree:
Comment by ev — December 12, 2007 @ 7:42 am
Just had to post a daughter update:
Last night on the way home from her chorus concert (ugh) Phil said, “You are NOT changing the spelling of your name.” She said why? He said “B/c I said so.” She said, “But my friends already know to spell it that way.” Husband said, “Tough.” Jen said, “So they can spell it with two “n’s and you can spell it with one. He said, “Nope.” She said, “You are NOT going to ruin my social life.”
Comment by Carly — December 12, 2007 @ 8:06 am
Alan Jackson’s “Let It Be Christmas” is one of my very, very favorites. But my all time, never to be topped favorite Christmas song is the Chipmunks…Alvin….OKAY!
Then there’s the 12 Pains of Christmas. I listen to that one over and over when I’m addressing Christmas cards (over 100 this year). It makes me laugh and forget that my hand is cramping.
Comment by Jodie — December 12, 2007 @ 9:24 am
Oh, Carly…I feel your pain. Soapbox Queens are doing Whining Wed. so I posted there and whined about my son…and MIL…I won’t go into it again here (terribly long) but I’d love to really have that frying pan right now!
She’s 10 right? See, I’m thinking military school is in my son’s future, but I just don’t see you daughter in military school.
Good luck!!
Comment by Jodie — December 12, 2007 @ 9:27 am
I love them all…hard to choose.
Comment by katie — December 12, 2007 @ 9:27 am
I love Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas(actually playing on the radio right now). I have all of her Christmas cds and play them all the time during Christmas…even some during the rest of the year.
O Holy Night is my absolute favorite Christmas song! I love almost every version, but my favorite is my church choir back home. They sing it every year at our 11:00 pm Christmas Eve service and you just get chills.
I also love Adam Sandler’s Chanukah Song. I pretty much love all the Christmas songs. We have a couple of radio stations in Nashville that go 24/7 on Christmas songs from Thanksgiving day until Christmas day and I listen every single day for 8 hours at work.
Carly, my niece Brittney tried to change the spelling of her name to Britney(like Britney Spears) several years ago. Her parent told her she could only change the spelling of her name if she could pay to have her name legally changed(I think it cost about $200 where they live). The cost put her off(of course she was only 9 at the time) and she has never said anything about it again.
Comment by Liza — December 12, 2007 @ 10:03 am
I have a TON of Christmas CD’s, I always buy myself a new one every year. This year it was Dean Martin. His version of Baby It’s Cold Outside was on one of those “Now That’s What I Call Christmas” cd/s a couple of years ago–and I loved him, but *hated* the “bimbo blondes” who sang the woman’s part. This new cd has a remix of him singing that song with Martina McBride and it’s wonderful!
I also adore Harry Connick’s first CD. I have a fun “rock” type compilation with a really cool version of Santa Baby by Everclear (a male singer–it’s very sexy.) Love the traditionals–Frank Sinatra’s “Christmas Waltz”–Bing’s “White Christmas” and Nat’s “A Christmas Song.”
I also got Bette Midler’s new Christmas CD last year–Cool Yule–and I really love it!
As for movies, I am right there with everyone on White Christmas. It’s A Wonderful Life is also a favorite, as are Scrooged and Christmas Vacation. My two faves, though, are A Christmas Story and The Muppet Christmas Carol! I guess I’m a big kid at heart. :cold:
Comment by Leslie — December 12, 2007 @ 10:29 am
PS: Thanks with the gift help yesterday everyone!
I have got a strong idea about one thing–but knowing little miss Caitie-girl is here on occasion, I’d better not spill it.
Comment by Leslie — December 12, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Oh gosh where to start.
Baby It’s Cold Outside
Santa Baby
The Little Drummer Boy - Whitney Houston’s version
All I Want For Christmas - Mariah Carey
O, Holy Night
Auld Lang Syne
Comment by Michelle — December 12, 2007 @ 10:44 am
My favorites are Frosty and Rudoplh. Just a kid at heart, I guess.
I have a funny story if you don’t mind my sharing. I had NO Christmas CDs so I bought two. I wanted to teach my daughter all the fun Christmas songs. We were driving along in the car listening to one of the CDs when suddenly my daughter starts crying. I asked her what was wrong and this was her response, “I don’t want Grandma to get run over by a reindeer.”
Needless to say I changed the song, and tried to control my laughter.
I hope you all have a great Wednesday!
Comment by Kelly H — December 12, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Kelly, I should have added the “Christmas Songs I Hate” to my blog, with the Grandma song in the second spot, LOL! The first spot (I’m pretty sure I’ve blogged this one last year) is that stupid country song about the little boy buying shoes for his dying mother. I hate, hate, hate that song with every fibre of my being. It should be banned! And you all know I don’t agree with banning anything!
Except. That. Song.
Comment by Julie Leto — December 12, 2007 @ 11:25 am
:cold:
Good morning Plotmonkeys and all. Some of my favs are:
Same Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogelberg
So This is Christmas - The Beatles
Any Christmas song or non Christmas song by Martina McBride
Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters
Ave Maria - Barbara Striesand
It Must’ve Been Ole Santa Claus - Harry Connick Jr.
And the list goes on…
Have a great day all,
Cher
Comment by Cher — December 12, 2007 @ 11:42 am
My favorite Holiday CD is
A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector
(That crazy homicidal producer guy)
Favorite tracks are:
The Bells of St. Mary by Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by The Ronettes
and
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love
And I really love Run Rudolph Run by Chuck Berry
:santahat: :santahat: :santahat:
Comment by Heather Harper — December 12, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Christmas spirit on Christmas radio http://www.eeradio.com
mastree:
Comment by Laura — December 12, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
LOL Julie, I am right there with you on banning that song!!
Just not a Christmasy song.
I know, my kids make fun of me)
mastree: :santawhat:
It has no purpose except to make you
I love Oh Holy Night especially the 98 degrees version (
:snowmanhead:
Comment by Tina Martinesi — December 12, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
I’ve got a CD called Hipsters Holiday which is just great. My favorite songs are “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt; :santawhat: “We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo” by Big John Greer; :snowmanhead: and ” ‘Zat You, Santa Claus” by Louis Armstrong & The Commanders. I guess I like Santa songs. :santahat:
Kind of a cool little family thing - my husband’s great, great, great, great, great, great, great (that’s 7 greats) grandfather wrote “Silent Night.”
Happy Holidays everyone!
mastree:
Comment by Robin — December 12, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
My favorite song is Winter Wonderland.
mastree:
Comment by Susan — December 12, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
I love Christmas music.
mastree: Right now I have Ray Coniff’s We Wish You a Merry Christmas playing. I had the LP now I’ve got the CD! His other album Christmas With Coniff is also a favorite! If we are talking only a song right up on top is Michael Buble singing Grown-Up Christmas List. More albums, Il Divo The Christmas Collection it ends with a fantastic version of The Lord’s Prayer and I feel like I have been to church. Beautiful music. This year I bought a CD by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra called The Christmas Attic, they would be great to see in a live performance. No collection is complete without a CD of The Nutcracker, love the music, love seeing a live performance of the ballet. The New Christy Minstrels Merry Christmas album has long been a favorite, my favorite on that album is Parson Brown (Our Christmas Dinner) is very fun! The Kingston Trio, The Last Month of the Year is wonderful & I love it! I also have an album called Christmas with the Stars that is very good and has Vanessa Williams singing Baby, It’s Cold Outside that is very sexy & well done. There it is, of course I could go on but I will stop here.
The radio station I listen to starts on Christmas Eve playing only Christmas music for about 28 or more hours with very few breaks, it is lovely. :stocking: :stocking:
Comment by Donna M — December 12, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
I go crazy for soundtracks from great Christmas movies and TV specials like the ones made by Rankin/Bass but the three songs that I’ve played a million times this year are Old Toy Trains by Roger Miller, Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Peggy Lee, & Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland but there are tons of others too. :snowmanhead:
Comment by Ladytink_534 — December 12, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
I love pretty much all of the Christmas songs with the exception of the one Julie wants banned. I’m right with you on that one.
In the car I put on the radio station she was talking about (for a little while anyway) and at home I usually turn on the Christmas music channel on my cable.
Comment by Vicki — December 12, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
Thought I would add here that I’m loving Lesley’s story. I’ve tried to post a comment for three days now but it’s not going through.
Anyway, if you’re not reading it what are you waiting for? Go forth and read. You’ll be begging for more.
Comment by Vicki — December 12, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
I have only one favorite. It is Silver Bells—I don’t care who sings it.
Comment by Estella — December 12, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
My favorite Christmas song is Frank Sinatra’s: The Christmas Waltz, I love, love, love it!! But i haven’t heard it all season
Comment by erin — December 12, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
I like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve” and “The Christmas Attic.” My favorite oldie is Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song.”
Comment by Jane — December 12, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Thanks so much for the nice feedback on my eHarlequin story! Paula, your lovely comments really get me smiling first thing in the morning and I am glad we’re able to keep you smiling through these tough times too!
Vicki, not sure why your comments aren’t showing up…we’ll have to go check the spam folder and make sure they’re not getting dumped there. We tend to approve any comments that go to moderation really quickly!
Comment by Leslie — December 12, 2007 @ 7:21 pm
First, Leslie’s story is rockin’!
Josh Groban’s O Holy Night.
Streisand’s entire Christmas Album (the first one) especially a song called “The Best Gift”
Any version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
Judy Garland’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
The Carpenter’s “Merry Christmas Darling”
Movies:
Obviously “It’s a Wonderful Life”
“Meet Me in St. Louis”
“The Santa Clause”
The original “Miracle on 34th Street”
I have one quick story about Feliz Navidad (btw, the one song I want banned). One year I was baking Christmas cookies and that song came on the radio. I said “Damn, now that’s going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.” My mother looked at me and said “Well, there’s nothing else up there.”
Comment by Bailey Stewart — December 12, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
Mariah Carey’s song
Santa Baby
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
I can’t think of anymore
Comment by Cherylann — December 12, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
Great…now, I’m singing Step Into Christmas. I like Chorus of the Bells and some of the 50s and 60s stuff.
Actually, I stop listening to the radio after Thanksgiving. I found I get sick of the songs way before the end of December. Now, I can happily sing along to Holly Jolly Christmas while picking out melons.
Comment by ThatBrunette — December 12, 2007 @ 8:43 pm
See, now I like the Christmas Shoes song. I don’t get into the regee, jazzy, be-bob, hip hop, rappy stuff. (any combination there of either.)
I also love Vince Gill’s Christmas albums and Colin Raye.
I don’t care, I play the stuff in June when I am in the mood. Ya outta hear my best friend and I with the windows open. Drives people nuts.
’s that we are.
I only have 3 presents left to buy- and none of them are for my daughter!!
Then I can wrap and watch Xmas movies until hell, or upstate NY, freezes over!!!
:cold:
mastree: :cold:
Comment by ev — December 12, 2007 @ 8:56 pm
Carly thanks for the smile
Kids are terrific.
When she is 18 she can pay to do that
if she isn’t still living at
home that is
and you are not paying her college tuition 
I want Josh Grobans new cd. I love all of them.
Comment by Jeannie and zoey — December 12, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
Michael Buble did a great version of let it snow … of course, he’s so cute, and can sing … :snowmanhead:
Comment by yolanda — December 13, 2007 @ 12:02 am