Christmas Caroling for Cans

Several weeks ago, Becky and I started talking about how we could help others this holiday season. We considered several options---ringing a bell for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign, making gingerbread houses with the children in the homeless shelter near our neighborhood.

But we also wanted to go Christmas Caroling.

Our time was extremely limited, though. We had agreed to plan the annual Christmas dinner at our church, which is no small feat since it generally attracts more than 100 people and it has a lot to live up to, because we've had some pretty amazing Christmas parties. Also, we put an offer in on a house and it was accepted. So we had a lot to do.

Suddenly, we devised a plan that would allow us to go Christmas Caroling and help people in need. We decided to go Caroling for Cans.



Armed with the accordion we borrowed a couple of months ago, we went to several homes to sing songs such as "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Silent Night." We advertised our activity on Facebook and by word of mouth, and won several invitations to come sing in exchange for nonperishable food, which we took to the Salvation Army homeless shelter.

Unfortunately, we barely missed most people who invited us to come sing---apparently, the Christmas season keeps lots of families busy! But we did enjoy visiting a few people to bring the Christmas spirit into their homes while collecting food for people who are more needy than we ever have been.

I think the highlight of our event was singing to an elderly woman in a nursing home / rehabilitation facility. She was having a rough go of it and was truly happy to see us. She and her roommate sang along with most of our songs; her roommate requested "White Christmas," which we gladly sang.

This turned out to be a very fun event, and likely will become a Bryan & Becky tradition for many years to come. (Next year, the event will feature much better planning.) We're even willing to franchise out the idea at no cost---if you want to go Caroling for Cans, we won't charge you a license fee. :)

What ways have you found to help others or spread Christmas cheer? Do you go Christmas Caroling? Do you volunteer? Please share in the comments below.

Christmas songs to think twice about

I love Christmas music. I grew up without any rules about not listening to Christmas music outside of archaic boundaries of time. My family watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown" throughout the year, and we loved it.

But not all Christmas music was created equal. I wanted to make this list of so-Called Christmas tunes that stand out as odd. Some of them I love. Others, I hate. Let's start with one I hate.

1. Baby, It's Cold Outside

This popular hit is not a Christmas song. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is not about Christmas---It's about seduction involving alcohol and drugs. ("Hey, what's in this drink?") There's no mention of Baby Jesus, caroling angels, or even Santa Claus and Frosty. It is not a Christmas song---At its very best, it's a winter song, about a season which only the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing on December 25.

I actually like the rhythm and the harmonies, so I hope to someday write a parody so I can enjoy the music without the stupid words. Right now I"m leaning towards "Baby there's mold outside," but I'm sure something better will come along.

In the mean time, I recommend "Let it Snow" as a good, wholesome alternative that carries a romantic theme.

2. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

My feelings for this song are on the border between love and hate. It's a fun jingle about the humorous way a kid sees a situation on Christmas Eve. At least, we hope his mother is kissing his father who is wearing a Santa costume. But I can't help but ponder the psychological implications on a kid. What do you want to bet that he grows up and has relationship troubles rooted in his seeing his mother kiss Santa Claus.

I think what really ruins this song for me is the fact that it gets played on the radio way too often in November and December, when some stations believe they must play nothing but Christmas music, which means looping through the same set of songs seemingly several times per day. I can only handle so many replays of the Jackson 5 singing this song before I start to suspect that many of Michael Jackson's troubles began one Christmas Eve when he crept out of bed and spied his mother tickling Santa Claus underneath his beard so snowy white...

3. Santa Claus is Coming To Town

I really like this song. It brings back lots of warm fuzzy memories.

But I have long thought it's really creepy that Santa "sees you when you're sleeping." Why on earth would he watch children in their sleep? Meanwhile, "he knows when you're awake." When you're awake, actively making choices between naughty and nice, he is just aware of it. But as soon as you doze off, he tunes in. Creepy!

By the way, I also thought it was really creepy that Edward Cullen sneaked into Bella's room to watch her while she was sleeping. The fact that Bella didn't get a restraining order at that moment just proves that the difference between a boyfriend and a stalker is that the girl likes the boyfriend, and the stalker isn't a glittery vampire.

Apparently the difference between a kindly elf and a stalker is that the kindly elf takes notes and brings you gifts. And kisses your mom...

4. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I really enjoy hearing this song. It has a catchy tune. But does anyone understand the line "There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago."

Is there some long lost tradition of telling scary ghost stories at Christmas? That sounds more like a Halloween activity.

The closest I can think of is the visitation of ghosts in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carole, but that's never struck me as a scary ghost story.

"Tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago" could refer to people reminiscing on the huge, gift-filled Christmas days back before the recession, or back when they were kids and only had to worry about getting presents, not paying for them. Or perhaps it refers to "Gawain and the Green Knight," a King Arthur tale set at Christmastime. Come to think of it "Gawain and the Green Knight" could qualify as almost a ghost story, too. Perhaps it should make its way into more Christmas traditions!

Becky recently pointed out that this song also talks about "marshmallows for toasting," and neither of us has any memories of roasting marshmallows at Christmas. I fully and wholeheartedly vote for this to become a more common Christmas experience!

What about you: Do your Christmas traditions include ghost stories and marshmallows?

Also, what Christmas songs do you think are crazy, weird, or odd? Tell us in the comments below.