“Oh What Fun It Is To Ride And Sing A Sleighing Song Tonight.”

What would Christmas be without music?

#19 of the 31 Things I Love About Christmas: Christmas Music.

I love Christmas Music. To date I have 98 full length Christmas albums (hand picked compilations not included)

That is disgusting. Excessive, over the top and a bit much. If you know me, you aren’t surprised

I love Christmas music and everything about it. From Thanksgiving til 11:59pm on 12/25 it is nothing but Christmas music for my ears. The first cassette I ever owned was The Beach Boys Christmas album (got it November ’97). Since then my Christmas music have grown to ridiculous heights over the past 14 years. From the essentials to the truly bizarre, I love ‘em all.

Do I think the Christmas music starts a bit early? Yes. As much as I love it, it loses the appeal if you start cranking the Chipmunks around Labor Day. Like egg nog, Christmas music for me is to be enjoyed between Thanksgiving and Christmas night (unless I crack a few days before Thanksgiving) and then to be packed away for another year. Decorations however, may be enjoyed until at least New Year’s Day.

I can’t get enough of Christmas music during this time of year. I especially have a thing for off the wall Christmas songs and parodies. Bob Rivers is king of Christmas spoofs. Such masterpieces as “Walkin ‘Round In Women’s Underwear” (Winter Wonderland), “Oh Come, All Ye DeadHeads”, “The Restroom Door Said Gentlemen” and “Chipmunks Roasting On An Open Fire” are just some of his holiday offerings.

After a quick looksee on Amazon, 70,982 results came up when I searched Christmas in the music department. How does one make sure there collection is up to par and doesn’t leave your family feeling ashamed due to your lack of holiday tunes.

C’mon you KNEW this was coming.

I have long been of the belief there needs to be a Christmas Album box set, entitled “Unless You Buy This, Santa Won’t Visit You” box set. Though royalties and permission from all parties involved would hamper this project fast, it’s nice to dream. I have assembled a list of the 15 Christmas albums that should be packaged together and sold at an attractive price…like $5 or something reasonable. There will also be a 2^nd volume entitled “5 More Christmas Albums You Must Have If You’re Some Kind Of Nuts.”

Unless You Buy This, Santa Won’t Visit You Box Set Disc listing:

1. Burl Ives: Have A Holly Jolly Christmas
   
2. Frank Sinatra: A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Vince Guaraldi Trio
4. James Taylor: At Christmas
5. Chicago: What’s It Gonna Be Santa?
6. Tony Bennett: Snowfall-The Tony Bennett Christmas Album
7. Phil Spector: A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
8. The Beach Boys: Ultimate Christmas (The ’64 The Beach Boys Christmas album + additional tracks)
9. Bob Dylan: Christmas In The Heart
10. Bing Crosby: Merry Christmas or The Voice of Christmas: Complete Decca Christmas Songbook
11. Elvis Presley: Elvis’ Christmas Album or Elvis Christmas (2006 compilation)
12. Dean Martin: Christmas With Dino
13. Alvin & The Chipmunks: Christmas with The Chipmunks (2008 best compilation)
14. Regis Philbin: The Christmas Album
15. Andy Griffith: The Christmas Guest: Stories and Songs of Christmas

“5 More Christmas Albums You Must Have If You’re Some Kind Of Nuts.”

1. REO Speedwagon: Not So Silent Night
2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Soundtrack
3. Dr. Demento: Presents The Greatest Christmas Novelty CD Of All Time
4. Monster Ballads Christmas
5. The Beatles Christmas Albums (widely bootlegged, all ya gotta do is look)

Clearly this set would be a hit with all ages.