It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas~Michael Bublè
It really is looking alot like Christmas! At the start of the week I was stressed as I wasn't finished Christmas shopping, still needed to post Christmas cards and had ran out of wrapping paper!
Yet between yesterday and today I managed to get everything done! Hubby as even managed to get tomorrow off work so that we can get Christmas food shop done
We are having a little Christmas day tomorrow with my family and friends
and while we are very busy from now till Saturday I am much more chilled
Looking forward to having a Baileys tonight and watching a bit off Bublè!
I know it's still only November but alot of my friends have there Christmas trees up
and I have been listening to Christmas songs and carols since the weekend!
Last year I done a post about my favourite Christmas songs which you can see here
This post is my favourite carols to listen to over the festive season
Do You Hear What I Hear?~Idina Menzel
This is not technically a carol it was written in 1962 as a plea for peace
but in recent years it has been added to carol concerts.
It has been recorded by Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and lots more
My favourite version is by Elsa legend Idina Menzel
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear~Josh Groban
This was originally a poem which over the years was adapted into a carol
It was the Christmas legend Johnny Mathis that made it into a popular Christmas carol
Soon it was included on everyone Christmas albums from The Carpenters to Anne Murray
I love this version from Josh Groban his voice is like velvet and the gospel choir raise this song from good to excellent!
Joy To The World~Celtic Women
One of the most popular carols, this song is Christmas for me!
The origins of the music of the song is unknown but it's words date back to 1719
In the late 20th century it was the most published Christmas song in America!
I like this very festive version from Celtic Woman
Silent Night~Stevie Nicks
Silent Night is not my favourite carol, I think that is because one year in primary song
I was doing a solo during the song for a Christmas concert the song was drummed into my head
I am sure I was singing it in my sleep! Afterwards I said I would be happy if I never heard the song again!
When I heard Stevie Nick's version of the classic carol it gave me a new take on a old classic!
Stevie's recognisable husky voice gives a romantic, rock air to the song
While it isn't my favourite carol or my favourite Stevie Nicks song, it is nice to hear such a traditional carol done slightly different
Mary Did You Know?~Pentatonix
This is another that is not technically a carol it was written in 1991
but it is such a beautiful haunting song that I had to add to my list!
It is now a modern Christmas classic and I love alot of different versions
Michael Crawford, Josh Groban and Hayley Westenra are all my favourites but this version
by Pentatonix is amazing. There tight vocals and beautiful harmonies make this song even more stunning
Carol Of The Bells~Mormon Tabernacle Choir
I have two favourite versions of this song the beautiful but more traditionally version
by the stunning Mormon Tabernacle Choir. From the bells at the start to the choir soaring towards the end it is a stunning carol.
Carol Of The Bells~Trans Siberian Orchestra
I love this Orchestra and there takes on classical music
It's definitely something different from normal Christmas carol
Oisìn just loves to dance around when listening to it!
Oh Holy Night~Sarah Brightman
My favourite carol ever is O Holy Night
It dates back to a French town in 1847 a beautiful song which reflects on the birth of Jesus
and how it will save mankind
It has been recorded by many many musicians from different genres of music
My favourite is from Sarah Brightman when she was at the height of her solo career in 1998
Yes she does make some strange facial expressions but her voice and song itself is stunning
While the original is a beautiful movie in it's own right
It's the 1994 Cole's Store version that has a special place in my heart
As a family tradition my parents would take us into Dublin City Centre
for a day of festive treats (a tradition that I am keeping with my own little family)
We would go see Santa, finish our Christmas shopping, see whatever Christmas movie
was out at that year and finish with dinner out.
One year Miracle on 34th Street was the film that was out and we loved it
I would of been almost ten years old and my brother around eight
at the part of the film when there is a court case around Santa
My brother got very emotional and stood in the cinema and shouted
"He is Santa, he is the real Santa!"
Oisín's favourite this week is Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas
which he has been watching alot before bed!
Our Favourite Christmas Song This Week:
All I Want For Christmas has been playing alot in our house
also it was played at my SW Christmas party
so my friend and I had a good bob to that!
Oisín has been enjoying Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
He likes to try sing along! It is really very sweet Our Favourite Christmas Decoration This Week:
My parents bought me this crib the first
Christmas I moved out and I love it
but Oisín was trying to play with it
this year so my parents bought him
his very own one!
Our Favourite Christmas Tradition This Week:
Having our own festive day out in town
Went to see Santa Claus, visit the Christmas markets
and see the Christmas lights it was a lovely day out
Our Favourite Christmas TV Special This Week:
The Royle Family the new sofa I watched this last night curled up with a hot chocolate
Can't have Christmas without those toe tapping Christmas tunes
Love them or hate them they are as part of Christmas as much as Christmas pudding!
Here are my top ten favourites
10: Kate Bush - December Will Be Magic Again
Unless you are a Kate Bush fan like I am you might not have heard of this song
For me it's a Christmas classic Kate sings about White Christmas, snow, candles, and Santa
It might not be to every ones taste but it's classic early Kate Bush and I love it!
9: Paul McCarthy - Wonderful Christmas Time
This is one of those songs for me gets me all warm inside
I remember it playing the first Christmas Paul and I where dating
We where at a pub having a few drinks with friends before Christmas
Every time I hear that song it takes me back to the feeling of early romance
and the care free joys of being with friends before Christmas
it always gets me in the festive mood!
8: Chris Rea - Driving Home For Christmas
Another favourite that gets me really in the Christmas spirit
We have all been there driving home from work on our last day before the Christmas holiday
stuck in rush hour traffic
Knowing that when we get home Christmas can begin!
7: Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas
A couple of years ago this would of been higher up my list
but in the past few years there has been some many re-makings and re-recordings
that to be honest it has dumbed down the original for me
Of course the power and meaning behind this song is still amazing
It is a one of a kind and I don't think we will have such a powerful
Christmas song again
6: John & Yoko - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Beautiful anti war song
It does make me feel wow another year is almost over
when I hear the line "another year over and a new one just begun"
Beautiful message beautiful song
5: Wham - Last Christmas
'
Such a cheesy 80's Christmas tune
but I love it..especially the video all big hair and snow!
"Merry Christmas I wrapped it up and sent it" what a line!
This one I really sang into my hair brush as a teenager! I still sing this around the house at Christmas
A ballad of doomed romance just what we love at Christmas!!
4: Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
This the hubby's favourite Christmas song and I am sure he love the video too
(Mariah bouncing around in the snow)
It's such a catchy little tune and I can help myself singing along
I remember singing it to my pregnant bump a couple of Christmas ago
It has took a couple of year over this side of the Atlantic to become a classic
but it's played at all the office party's now!!
3: Slade - Merry Xmas
I grew up with 70's music coming from my parents radio
So it's not wonder Slade is high up in my list my Mam favourite band growing up
She always had Slade's Merry Xmas on while we where putting up our Christmas tree
So it's no wonder it doesn't feel like Christmas for me until I hear
Noddy Holder scream IT'S CHRISTMAS!!
2: Wizard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
The 70's really was the time for Christmas songs!!
Another Christmas tune that was always played in my house growing up
Even the lead singer looked liked something out of Lapland!
Something so festive about the sleigh bells and the children choir joining in
This will be played alot at our house over Christmas!
When I was a kid I really did wish it could be Christmas ever day!
When you get older your glad it's only once a year!
1: Pogues - Fairytale of New York
I love this song and always have when I was younger I loved it
because it had naughty words in it
Now I love it because it reminds of my brother
us singing it together the night of my 21st birthday and laughing our head off!
I love it because its a tale of loss, hope, despair and above all love
Yes it's over played especially here in Ireland but the
next time it's on the radio close your eyes
and really listen to it.....
So that's my favourite Christmas song what about yours?
I enjoyed doing a blog post like this a couple of years ago
so thought I would re-do it this year
I am excited for Christmas this year although it will be a little different this year
as my parents are staying in a hotel over the Christmas time
It has been something my Mam has wanted to do for years she is finally getting a chance to relax over Christmas time!
Oisín seems to be enjoying the festive time so far, he loves the Christmas ads,
songs and lights. We sat down the past few days and have watched some nice Christmas movies which he seems to enjoyed!
Our Favourite Christmas Movie This Week:
Paul and I favourite this week is Trading Places
we enjoyed watching this on the weekend with a glass of Baileys
It tells the story of upper class snob and commodities broker Louis Winthorpe (Dan Aykroyd) and a homeless hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) who lives change and there paths intertwine when they are are unknowingly made part of an elaborate test and bet of nature versus nurture by wealthy elderly Duke brothers, Randolph and Mortimer.
It's a very funny movie with Eddie Murphy really on form one of our favourites!
Oisín's favourite is Disney's Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas
he loves Donald Duck and really enjoys these cute little Christmas stories
Our Favourite Christmas Song This Week:
It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas....I have been playing this alot this week!!
I had it playing while we where putting up our Christmas decorations on Saturday!
It really gets me in the Christmas spirit!
Oisín is learning Jingle Bells in creche this week
so of course I have been playing the Michael Buble one for him!
Oisín love shouting BELLS at the top of his voice!! Our Favourite Christmas Decoration This Week:
This also seems to be Oisín's favourite he
keeps hugging and kissing him it's actually very sweet to see!
Our Favourite Christmas Tradition This Week:
This is an Irish tradition is almost every house hold
sitting down with a hot chocolate to enjoy this
cheesy funny show!
