Whether you’re traveling near or far this holiday season, it helps to have a favorite tunes playlist to keep you company and to drown out the noise from those plane engines or a chattering seatmate.
Here’s the music (in no particular order) that never fails to get me in the holiday spirit every year. Some are upbeat, a couple more wistful, but just try to read this list without starting to sing along:
Rocking around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
You’ll be tapping your toes and making plans to swing your partner once or twice around the tree when you get home after listening to this classic.
Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
Another rollicking good tune to get the festivities off to a fun start.
Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
“Simply having a wonderful Christmastime . . . ” What could be better than that?
Happy Xmas – John Lennon
“Let’s hope it’s a good one without any tears.” Amen.
Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
With her trademark sauciness, Ms. Kitt is the only one who can carry the mood of this song in my book.
Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano
Listen to this when you want to brush on on your holiday Spanish!
A Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
The unmistakable voice of Mr. Ives which Alan Lomax once described as “sweet and full, high and clear, like a bird singing in the woods on a sunny morning. The song rolls out like water bubbling out of a mountain spring.” Wow.
Silver Bells – Johnny Mathis
With a voice characterized as “pure,” and “mellifluous,” Johnny Mathis’ singing evokes the timelessness of the holidays which is why I wouldn’t have a Christmas playlist without him on it.
Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby
If you’re planning on traveling to Hawaii over the holidays (What!? And miss out on the chance for snow??), impress the locals by saying “Merry Christmas!” the Hawaiian way.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Lady Antebellum
Lady Antebellum is one of my favorite groups and the chemistry between lead singers Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley on this song comes through loud and clear. This is a tune to keep you warm on a cold winter’s night . . .
What’s on your playlist over the holiday season, Wanderboomers? What are your favorite holiday tunes?
View of the New York City Skyline
6) Snack on a super-size soft pretzel and roasted chestnuts while wandering around Midtown. All that window shopping takes its toll! Thankfully, corner street vendors abound here so you’ll have plenty of food choices to whet your appetite. If pretzels and chestnuts don’t do it for you, how about a hot dog? Or Falafal? A chicken kebab or Italian sausage perhaps?
Better luck next time, Mom!
8) Take a break from urban mania with a walk in Central Park. Even a short respite will help restore your sanity and show you a portion of the lovely 843-acre landscape designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858. I still haven’t made it to Strawberry Fields, the meditative garden created by Yoko Ono in memory of her husband, John Lennon. But I know it ranks high on the list of NYC residents and tourists alike so I’m adding it to my list.