Easiest Christmas project ever

While my mom and I were out shopping a few years ago, the song "Silver Bells" began to play. "That was your grandma's favorite Christmas song," she said. Although I thought I knew everything about my grandmother - in many respects, I think I am my grandmother - I didn't know her favorite Christmas song. Every time I hear it now, I instantly think of her. I am right back in her perfect 1950s bungalow, with its pink kitchen and candy-cane striped Holt Howard figures, a stack of Christmas albums ready to play on the hi-fi. 

So here's the easiest Christmas project ever: Ask your loved ones what their favorite Christmas song is. That's it. And when you hear it, you'll think of them.

My husband's favorite is "Sleigh Ride." My mom's is "White Christmas." My dad probably would have picked "White Christmas" too, but he heard my mom pick it, so he went with "Silent Night."

Then there's my grandfather's favorite Christmas song. Which I can't imagine you've ever heard, unless you're a fan of the incomparable Yogi Yorgesson. Without further ado, here is Grandpa's favorite Christmas song: "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas":

 

If I had to pick a favorite, I think I might go with a traditional, non-synthesized version of "Carol of the Bells." How about you?

 

 

Comments

[Sharrieboberry]

I love, love, love Christmas songs. Especially the ones from the 40s and 50s.

But the one song that my husband and start the Season with(and listen to alot) is "He is Christmas" by Take 6.

[Mary Kay Andrews]

I'm very partial to Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) as sung by the incomparable Darlene Love. Every year I watch her sing it on Letterman's Christmas show. Not very traditional, but very swinging!

[Ruthann]

Carol of the Bells WITH the words! Silver Bells is my mom's favorite - I always think of her.

I also like O Holy Night.

[Kat]

My favorite has always been Mitch Miller and the Gang's Christmas songs, but lately I'd have to say the Crypt Keeper's Christmas songs are great for a long laugh. I have to forward your recording to hubby. I'm sure he'll love it!

[Kristy]

My fav Christmas song is Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee. I put that song on first when I start decorating for Christmas. Especially when I'm decorating the tree!

[Heidi@TheMerryMagpieVintage]

It's hard to pick just one, but I love Tennessee Ernie Ford's album called "The Story of Christmas". My dad used to listen to it when he was growing up, and then his sister recorded it on 8-track tape for him, so I got to listen to it growing up too. A few years ago I bought the record on eBay and had it made into a CD for him! Then just in the last 2-3 years, it was finally released on CD so I bought myself a copy. I love it! My two favorites on the album are "Some Children See Him" and "Little Grey Donkey".

[Gina @ VintageJunkinMyTrunk]

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Frank Sinatra circa 1948. Also enjoy "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney and Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon for something more "modern".

[Martha]

First a shout-out to Mary Kay -- I am also a big Darlene Love fan.

My favorite is probably Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song" (commonly referred to as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire").

"I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas" is pretty great, too. I have added it to our Christmas playlist (along with "Yingle Bells"), and I'm sorry, but every time I hear them, I am going to think of you . . . and your grandfather.

[Martha]

I just found out that Harry Stewart, aka Yogi Yorgesson, hailed from Tacoma, Washington -- no wonder I like him.

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

Actually I have heard of that song. My husband is a musician/music lover, and I think he has every Christmas song that there ever was!
If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be Have A Holly Jolly Christmas by the amazing Burl Ives. Or I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas. When our daughter was little, she would sing the heck out of that song!

[Elaine Richardson]

My VERY favorite is O Holy Night! Also very close in the running Little Town of Bethlehem and We Three Kings of Orient.

[Jewels]

Hands down the Huron Carol - always takes me back to my childhood...

[Patricia]

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by the incomparable Judy Garland...it makes me smile and get teary-eyed at the same time. There was an ornament out a few years ago with her in a sleigh singing it and I bought all they had for myself and sisters - Love it!

[vicki]

O Holy Night-Placido Domingo. It almost stops my heart every time I hear o night....DI-VIIiiiine....

[Tina]

Come O Come Emmanuel or Ave Maria, although I'm not Catholic and I don't know Latin, so I'm not sure what Ave Maria is about - maybe Mary? Anyway, both hymns are beautiful.

[Into Vintage]

My very favorite Christmas song is a modern-ish one (I just looked it up, it's officially vintage at 28 years old -- holy cow where does the time go?!) but I love the story behind it and that so many musicians from my uh, youth, are in it. It's 'Do They Know It's Christmas? from Band Aid.

I used to love hearing it on the radio in the olden days.

[Lisa W.]

Hark the Herald Angels Sing !

[Sue G]

I laughed when I heard your grandfather's favorite song....believe it or not but I have heard that one a few times before. I love old Christmas songs...one of my favorites is Zat you Santa Claus....Louis Armstrong. When we woke up every Christmas morning and to this day I play, Mitch Miller's sleigh ride song, not your typical sleigh ride, we always called it the Russian sleigh ride....

[Renee]

Never heard this one and yet when it played it sounded so familiar. Judy Garland Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...makes me want to tear up every time...Smiles..Renee

[Kathy]

This post brought back some great memories. I hadn't thought about Yust Go Nuts at Christmas in years!
I have a few favorites. Somehow it doesn't feel like Chritmas until I hear The Beattles So This Is Christmas on the radio. Silver Bells envokes one of my very favorite Christmas memories of a a snowy night in a small town. We Need A Little Christmas. Run Run Rudolph. The list goes on!