So I was shopping in Walmart the other day and it happened!
Yes, the holiday displays and the Christmas music heralded throughout the store. I gasped!
I mean we haven’t even cleared Veteran’s Day or Thanksgiving yet.
In any case, I realized that I should be pleasantly surprised instead of flustered because Christmas is my favorite time of year! No, it’s not just because teachers get 2 weeks off (I mean there is that), but people move differently; they act…well…with civility.
So back to Walmart. I’m walking through picking up regular non-holiday groceries when one of my favorite holidays songs came belting through the store. Yessir, Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is You!” (Don’t judge me!)
So I’m pushing my cart and humming, every now and then nodding my head from side to side. I even had passers-by smiling, and sharing knowing nods, as this was their favorite too. Some of my aisle-mates’ kids looked embarrassed as their parents hummed and hawed through the store.
That’s when I realized that some students have no idea how to discuss and analyze music, much less, Christmas or holiday tunes. We have a generation of students who do not understand the Christmas songs they hear once a year because we never give them an opportunity to hash out and analyze these songs.
Especially this year, I would love for students to feel the same joy I feel during this season; they need an emotional picker upper.
If you think students need to get in the spirit of Christmas, like I do, check out this product I developed. It’ll allow students to breakdown songs they’ve heard before and now will be able to impress their nodding and humming parents. Hey, they might even add new songs to their repertoire.
Check it out!
Some of my annual holiday songs include:
Toni Braxton’s “Santa Please” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwYCIeZy9Bs
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” https://youtu.be/aAkMkVFwAoo
Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” https://youtu.be/AN_R4pR1hck
Kenny G’s “Greatest Holiday Classics” https://youtu.be/49GhF-cboqk
Various Artists “The Real Meaning of Christmas” VOL1. https://youtu.be/0j7rGCgGnsk
Tamar’s “Sleigh Ride” https://youtu.be/KlOQp4LTXwA
Amy Grant’s “My Grown-Up Christmas List” https://youtu.be/RmF2rsDHOZc
Bing Crosby’s “It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas” https://youtu.be/z3vMisNaqd8
Salsoul Orchestra’s “Christmas Medley” https://youtu.be/rkIZ3HkomTk
Bebe & Cece Winans’ “Jingle Bells” https://youtu.be/-PISnJldG3g
Luther Vandross’ “This is Christmas” https://youtu.be/trFv63cMk4M
Cece Winans’ “Christmas Album” https://youtu.be/en2x-WKFMB0
And there are so many more! I TOLD YOU I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!
Until we talk again, have a wonderful holiday season! If you do or don’t celebrate it, know that you deserve some rest, festivities, and time to reflect!
Wherever you are around the world, Happy Holidays!
The Angry Teacher 