Monday, November 30, 2009

Christmas Tunes



Alright. Turkey's digested. Cornucopias put back in the attic. Now, it's time to get crackin' on Christmas! First item on the agenda: Put that Christmas playlist on repeat!

We've compiled a few of our favorites on a little playlist for your listening pleasure!

Some of our recommendations...

(Anne)
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams
Baby, It's Cold Outside by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Billie Holiday
Marshmallow World by Brenda Lee
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey
O Holy Night by Jewel
Most anything Mannheim Steamroller (A Fresh Aire Christmas is my favorite album.)
Christmas With the Ratpack is an awesome album to download. All the goodies sung by Frank, Dean, and Sammy. Nothing better!
I also recommend you check out Christmas stuff by Karen Carpenter, The Jackson Five, and Neil Diamond. You will not be disappointed!

(Emily)
Oooh, I'll have to second a few of Anne's suggestions.
I'm crazy for BNL & Sarah Mclachlan's God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
And I think Jewel's whole Christmas album is fun and lovely (my kids love her quirky, yodeling rendition of Rudolph)
Manheim Steamroller was a Christmas stand-by in my home growing up, always playing while we trimmed the tree, and a frequent soundtrack in our Holiday home throughout the season. My favorite Manheim song is Pat-a-Pan (it's on the playlist) reminds me of singing carols around my grandma's piano.
If you have young kids, The Friendly Beasts is a must. Love the nativity tale from the animals' perspective.
A few years ago I was putting together a mixed Christmas CD and came across What Child is This by Gypsy Soul - you should definitely go to iTunes and have a listen (wasn't available on playlist.com - bah!) anyway, really beautiful.
Willie Nelson's Here Comes Santa Claus is so charming (but then, I have a soft spot for Willie).
I also love some of the less popular (older?) carols: Ding Dong Merrily On High, The Holly & The Ivy, Coventry Carol.
And probably my very favorite: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming.

Dear readers, your recommendations?



P.S. we are so excited and touched by the donations coming in for the auction. Thank you so much for your contributions. If you're still brainstorming/working on something, just be sure to e.mail us (aplacetobloom AT gmail DOT com) by December 4th.

Auction will begin here at Bloom on Dec. 10th.
*EDIT* we had originally said that the auction would go through the weekend, but we've decided to end the bidding on Saturday night. We didn't want the last minute bidding and all of the auction closing to happen on Sunday. More details to come on auction day!

If you aren't planning to donate, come bid on something wonderful on the 10th. And please help us spread the word through e.mail, facebook, twitter, blogging, word-of-mouth-ing, etc.

Again...thanks. Now tell us your favorite Christmas tunes!

9 comments:

Abbie said...

Thanks for the recommendations! Sufjan Steves Christmas album is great! I love the Elf soundtrack. And what would Christmas be without MoTab Josh Groban?

Unknown said...

All great picks...I especially love the oldies (i.e. the Rat Pack). Merry Christmas!

Josie said...

Boney M was big in our house at Christmas, so that always brings back nice memories. but my personal favorite Christmas album is Bing Crosby's Merry Christmas.
And I love Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong (especially River and First Noel/Mary, Mary)

jen said...

great list -- going to have to add a few of these to my existing list!

Lindy Johnson said...

I love Sarah McLachlan's entire album "Wintersong". I also like lots of the Beach Boys' Christmas songs.
Thanks for the rec's; I always love new Christmas music!

Mickie and Matt said...

Oh I love the Christmas tunes, a few of my favorite albums are Josh Groban's "Noel" and SheDaisy's "Brand New Year". (It's different but you love it all the same)

Funny thing, when we were little kids my mom used to hit up the after christmas sales and buy a few new christmas cd's to listen to the following year. She would get the "Country Christmas" and the "Make a Wish for Christmas" yearly editions. I have fond memories of listening to all those CD's. I think she has about 30-40 different Christmas albums all for about 1-3 dollars each. One of these days i'll have to steal all of her music. I know she has the Rat Pack CD and the Manheim Steamroller ones too!

p.s. I go to Slacker.com and listen to their Christmas Stations all day long. They have quite the assortment!

Megan said...

My husband has very few things he needs for it to feel like the holidays, but one is the John Denver & the Muppets Christmas CD.

jeanine said...

I just love Nat King Cole... so his rendition of 'The Christmas Song' is one of my all time favorite... also "Christmas Waltz" by the Carpenters

Dianne K. Nelson said...

Carol of the Bells by the bird and the bee...lovely!

Anything from the Hotel Cafe's Winter Songs...especially "Wintersong" by Sara B. and Ingrid M., and Priscilla Ahn's "Silent Night."

Smiles!
Dianne