17 Days 'til Christmas...

2023.12.08

Song of the day:

---

The artist singing today’s song of the day is my favorite person to play George Washington in Hamilton. I saw him play the role several times in SF, twice in SJ and once in Fresno. He’s now in the international touring company, taking his talent around the world. I’m thrilled that he released this song, one of my favorite Christmas tunes. I hope there’s more to come, though I truly have no idea when he had time between touring to record this.

And speaking of favorite Christmas songs…I thought I’d share some of mine today, but before I do…let’s talk about the difference between a Christmas carol and a Christmas song. A Christmas carol is typically religious in nature, a song or hymn with the theme of Christmas. Everything else with a Christmas theme is a Christmas song. Maybe you already knew that but if you didn’t, now you do. You’re welcome.

Please note, the lists below are my favorites right now…tell me what your favorites are in the comments.

Favorite Christmas Carols

• O Holy Night

• Joy to the World

• Away in a Manager

• The First Noel

• Silent Night

• Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

• Angels We Have Heard on High

• O Come All Ye Faithful

• What Child is This

• O Little Town of Bethlehem

Favorite Christmas Songs

• Silver Bells

• Winter Wonderland

• This Christmas

• Sleigh Ride

• Oh Christmas Tree

• It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

• I’ll Be Home for Christmas

• Run, Run Rudolph

• White Christmas

• Deck the Halls

Favorite Pop Christmas Songs

• A New York Christmas - Rob Thomas

• All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey

• Do They Know It’s Christmas? - Band Aid

• Every Year, Every Christmas - Luther Vandross

• Last Christmas - Wham

• Christmas in Hollis - Run D.M.C.

• Wrapped in Red - Kelly Clarkson

• Christmas in America - Melissa Etheridge

• Someday at Christmas - Stevie Wonder

---

We’ve made it to another weekend, and I don’t have a lot planned, but am looking forward to meeting up with friends to go to Filoli tomorrow. If you’ve never been during the holidays (or at all), I highly encourage it. The mansion is gorgeous and the grounds are incredible, even more so when they’re all lit up. And if you’re lucky, you might see a peacock roaming around. It poured down rain on us last year, but we might have better weather this time - fingers crossed! Here are a few pics from last year in case you’re wondering what it’s all about…

Filoli Holidays 2022

If you think you want to go I would recommend getting tickets asap - it sells out fast, especially on the weekends.

I’ll also be spending time this weekend crafting my Christmas letter. I had big plans to work on it last weekend but alas, my laziness ruled. So it’s happening this weekend no matter what. Otherwise it will never get done. Wish me luck! And if you’re on the list, be on the lookout for your card and letter soon.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend whatever you plan to do. See you back here next week…

---

Video of the day: