Christmas

After the world got over its little "Le Freak-" out about the end of the world, we made it to Christmas!

Although I personally don't celebrate Christmas, I thoroughly love the holiday season, of which Christmas is the epicenter.

I love the houses decked out in "Lights," the cinnamon- and gingerbread-flavored everything, and the music that enchants people this time of year.

The loop of Christmas music that has been playing in stores since the day after Thanksgiving may be old by now, but I can't deny the smile that my Christmas music Pandora station puts on my face; it makes me feel like I'm in a feel-good holiday movie as I walk down the street bundled in my boots and my scarf swaying in the chilly air.

And what better way to celebrate than to visit the National Christmas Tree itself? Though not on Christmas, my family and I went to go see the tree when they were in town recently. When we got to the lawn by the White House, we learned that there are trees for every state surrounding the large tree and the ornaments on each small tree, decorated according to what makes that state unique, came from various student organizations that hail from that specific state. We were "Rockin' Around [a whole bunch of] Christmas trees" and we got to see the national Santa too. Good thing though that when "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" he never stops at my house, I don't think I could take the pressure of his list!

But I like to make my own lists, and on my list of favorite Christmas songs, which I did check twice of course, are: "The Christmas Song," "All I Want for Christmas is You," and "Rudolf the Rednosed Reindeer."

I love The Christmas Song because it is so beautiful and simple. It is soothing, making you feel safe and cozy; while at the same time evoking a sense of reflection and melancholy, longing for the scene that Nat King Cole has set.

All I Want for Christmas is a modern classic, and so is Mariah Carey. Who else can hit that piercing high note at the end of the song without making you cringe, and instead awing you with her unmatched talent? This song just puts you in a good mood, makes you want to sing and dance along. My sister even used it as a ringtone one year during Christmas. Jewish, Christian, or anyone else cannot help but enjoy this song.

Rudolf the Rednosed Reindeer is a song my childhood friends and I used to sing (and let's not forget most of these girls were Jewish too). I distinctly remember a car-ful of us in one of the mom's vans, driving her nuts and somewhere I can't remember, singing this song on repeat. We would take turns getting to be the one to sing the interjections of the kids version of the song. You know, "all of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names, LIKE PINOCCHIO, they never let poor Rudolf join in any reindeer games, LIKE MONOPOLY..." I do think it was the interjections that made this song extra fun as a child, but now I also like it for its message of individuality and self-worth.

Christmas music is the epitome of memories like this one, great times spent with family and friends. I hope you have had a wonderful holiday and have made new memories to last you until next year. I could continue on about the wonders of Christmas, but I would be here until New Year's. For now I'll just say Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!