December has arrived! This year has gone by at lightning speed, that’s for sure. I hope you all had a marvelous Thanksgiving! We went to my mom’s house where I cooked my famous Champagne Turkey – and it turned out impressively juicy and tasty, if I do say so myself!
And of course the rest of the weekend I’ve been hit with a sinus infection, so I’ve been a bit in hibernation trying to kick it as fast as possible, since we’re in the busiest time of year. Hopefully I’ll have an update on my sister tomorrow – we’re waiting to hear of a bed available at a nursing facility so she can be relocated from the hospital – hopefully this week will be good news.
Meanwhile, it’s Monday, and Monday means music! For the whole month of December our honorary co-host shall be… “Santa Claus” and the whole month of December shall be Christmas tunes or Christmas related! Let’s get this party started!
Let’s start with the kind of twinkling ballad that would make any Grinch’s heart grow three sizes.
When I see the stars on trees a’ sparkling / That’s how I know it’s December, darling
This indie duo sing over a soothing piano, making you believe this really could be the most worry-free time of the year.
Give a listen to Meg & Dia with “December, Darling”:
Next up is the title track of this artist’s yuletide album. This happy festive love song features her boyfriend, and the duet finds the two lovebirds trading lines during the verses, then harmonizing on the chorus and bridge.
After penning her intensely personal 2016 album, the artist decided to record a Christmas record. She was quoted as saying:
“It was really a whim. The way it works is you have to get it done really early, and I had no idea that I would be able to write so quickly, because I’m such a slow writer. It just came right out. I did six songs in three sessions.”
This song was originally written by her boyfriend. The artist said:
“[He] was sitting on his bus, I guess, and he began writing [the song], which he sends to me in a voice text. ‘I had no idea that he was going to be working on anything. It was a shock and when I listened to the song, it was incredible. I was like, ‘You just wrote a hit, like this song, what do you do, you just sit around on your bus, writing hits? What a jerk!’ I was jealous, you know what I mean? I want to do that.”
Her boyfriend insisted his lyrical contribution was minimal. He was quoted as saying:
“I sent [her] a couple of lines of the song. She took it and made the song what it is. I just sent her an idea. She tries to say that I co-wrote it, but I just sang on it.”
Here’s Gwen Stefani featuring Blake Shelton with “You Make It Feel Like Christmas”:
Next up is a jangling original that was co-written by this group’s frontwoman Lydia Night and her real-life boyfriend, Wallows member and 13 Reasons Why star Minnette. Together, they paint a picture of a holiday that doesn’t quite look like a Hallmark movie.
And the snow won’t fall / And the fire’s too hot / And when my family calls / Will I pick up or not?
Ultimately they decide that none of those things really matter, as long as they’re together.
Give a listen to The Regrettes with “Holiday-ish”:
Last, but certainly not least – I don’t know about you, but the reunion of these guys is truly a gift that keeps on giving. The brotherly trio have dabbled in Christmas music before, but this song is on a much, much higher level. Here, the guys deliver a certified, loved-up bop filled with horns, sleigh bells, and falsettos galore. The message is simple:
You make every day feel like it’s Christmas / Every day that I’m with you.
Without further ado, listen to Jonas Brothers with “Like It’s Christmas”:
That’s a wrap for this week – see you on the dance floor!
Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me: 
I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohort, the awesome Cathy from Curious as a CAThy, Callie of JAmerican Spice, and Alana of Ramblin’ with AM!
Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!
nice playlist
Great tunes, I enjoyed them all. Thanks for sharing.
Regardless of who wrote the song, Blake Shelton is the star of the video. It is a great, upbeat, feel-good song. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gwen Stefani featuring Blake Shelton with “You Make It Feel Like Christmas”: Ahhhhhh we think alike. It’s not great, but it’s cool!!! ~hehehe~ I cannot believe that these two are still that new luvy duvy stuff is still alive, can you? Anyway, the first tune is cool too. It’s new for me, but all in all the one I like the most is Jonas Brothers with “Like It’s Christmas”, totally cute! Love it!!! So, thanks for starting off my Christmas in FAB style! hugs!
Merry Christmas!
Let’s hope for your sister. Will she be able to continue whatever therapy she’s doing?
These were all good, except maybe the third one, and I can’t tell whether it’s the song or the video with Santa’s face sliding on and off. The first two were especially nice; I especially enjoyed the humor in he second. Christmas and laughs just go together, ya know?
Stacy,
I’m joining you finally on the dance floor. Your song picks are fabulously festive and light for the hliday season. 🙂 I see you and Marie were thinking alike with your pick of “You Make Me Feel Like Christmas” which is a new fave of mine. Thanks for making Mondays or whenever we get a chance to boogie together great fun. Have a joyful Christmas, darling!