Don Canney

Maybe if your name is Ebeneezer Scrooge, or you are covered in green fur with a heart two sizes too small, Christmas music fails to get you into the spirit. But, for most of us, it is the root of much of our Christmas celebrations.

Each of us has our own genre of music with a preference for more recent selections of today or for traditional carols dating back centuries. I personally like both.

Rock n’ Roll tunes such as Chuck Berry’s “Run Run Rudolph,” along with the entire Beach Boys or Elvis’ Christmas album, (one of the biggest selling albums of all time), not only brings the spirit to life, but gets a toe or two tapping at the same time. And Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” is not only a popular song, but a present itself for Mariah, with the millions in royalties she sees each season.

Remember what you were doing on a particular Christmas while listening to your favorite tune? Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, the biggest selling song of all time, Mitch Miller and the Gang doing their sing along, while we were following the bouncing ball, the velvety voice of Nat King Cole crooning The Christmas Song or the soft mellow tone of Johnny Mathis serenading us with Silent Night?

You may have been unwrapping a cherished present, sitting by a warm and cozy fire, enjoying family time, or simply watching soft white snowflakes dancing in the air.

Christmas is often a time when we might play any rendition of Auld Lang Syne and think back to the beginning of the year and to what the year has brought us, both good and bad. But it can also prompt us to look forward to the new year with hope, excitement, and anticipation.

How cool is it during this season, and throughout the year, to be able to do good for others, even if it’s a simple task that requires no money. Helping at a food kitchen, participating in Toys for Tots, helping at a local church, or doing anything that just makes you feel good.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer reminds us that this is also a great time to think about our furry friends in local shelters too! They are all waiting for a forever home. But if adoption isn’t right for you, a donation of food, supplies or cash is always welcomed. For musical inspiration, maybe opt for Jingle Bells by the Barking Dogs in lieu of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.

If you need assistance during this season for whatever reason, there are many local churches, shelters, and charities that are available to help. We all need assistance occasionally so please do not hesitate to make a connection. Organizations are there to support anyone in need. For those not in need, the song Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep) comes to mind.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and he reminded me that if you would like to track his whereabouts on Christmas Eve, NORAD’s website has an awesome tracker to ensure you get to bed on time.

The Holly and the Ivy will be evident throughout the city. Take the time to enjoy it! And for those who still prefer live trees, savor the aroma of that evergreen treat.

Mary Did You Know is a song written by Mark Lowry in 1984, who drafted a list of questions he would ask Mary, were he ever able to have a cup of coffee with her. It is controversial to some, but even if you don’t believe or agree with the concept, it’s a comforting song.

Again, as we celebrate this holiday season, let’s not forget those who are less fortunate here at home and throughout the world, especially those in Ukraine, and let’s do whatever we can to help.

So, I suggest you find a comfy spot, queue-up your favorite holiday tunes, then hit play. Oh, and take a minute to quickly scan back to find the first letter of each paragraph in this column. Spell it out, kick back and enjoy your holiday season!

Don Canney is a freelance writer and professional voice artist. He was born and raised in downtown Nashua with great interest in Nashua history circa 1950-1970. He now resides in Litchfield.

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