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Now that the weather outside is frightful, I am finally able to wrap my arms around the holiday season. Along with the snow, I find a diverse smattering of proper holiday music is just the thing to elicit spontaneous tree trimming, stocking hanging and of course...singing!

I delve into the quite old and brand spanking new for this sampling of songs. Perhaps you'll like a few of them, but more importantly, I cheerfully invite you to ponder what your favorites are. Dust off the old Sinatra and Mathis records. Bust out the holiday CDs. And most importantly, keep a song in your heart.

"Frosty the Snowman" by Cocteau Twins. I love this one because of Elizabeth Fraser's vocals and because you just don't equate a band like Cocteau Twins with a song like "Frosty"

youtube.com/watch

"Fairytale Of New York" by The Pogues featuring the late, great Kirsty MacColl. This is quite possibly my favorite Christmas song of all time. Thank you, Shane MacGowan and company for this one.

youtube.com/watch

"Let It Snow!" by Dean Martin. It's a classic that never gets old. youtube.com/watch

"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses. This is a close second to "Fairytale of New York." "When what to my wondering eyes should appear/ In the line is that guy I've been chasing all year!" It  doesn't get much better. youtube.com/watch

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland. Nobody can touch Judy's version. That's all I really have to say about it. youtube.com/watch

"A Silent Night With You" by Tori Amos. This is an Amos original from her 2009 album "Midwinter Graces." I typically don't like "new" holiday songs. Here's a MAJOR exception. youtube.com/watch

And speaking of new holiday songs, this one is brand new AND local. I saw it performed live last weekend and am pleased as punch to share with you "Our Fill of Snow" by Portland's very own Sara Hallie Richardson. LOVE this song! facebook.com/SaraHallieRichardson

"O Holy Night" by Tracy Chapman. Just listen. youtube.com/watch

"Silent Night/ 7 O'Clock News" by Simon & Garfunkel. Again...just listen. youtube.com/watch

"A Child is Born" by Oscar Peterson. Vocals aren't needed when this guy's playing piano. youtube.com/watch

"River" by Joni Mitchell. An unnoficial, officially brilliant holiday song. youtube.com/watch

"The Secret of Christmas" by Ella Fitzgerald. There's not a better sentiment to be found. youtube.com/watch

And last but far from least...

"Christmas Time is Here" by Vince Guaraldi Trio/A Charlie Brown Christmas. Get happy, Charlie Brown. youtube.com/watch

About the Author

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Aimsel Ponti has been obsessed with - and inspired by- music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town library when she was six years old. She's a huge fan of the local music scene and interviews an act every week for "Making Noise" which runs in the Press Herald GO section. You'll also find her out and about absorbing live music like a sponge and roaming around local record shops and flea markets.

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