Lounge Music and Snotty Coffee – 21st Century Holiday Comfort

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I have two holiday comforts I love.

First, the Creme Brulee latte from Starbucks. It comes out on November 15th like clockwork every year and it lets me know that it’s holiday time.  It’s my very own heads-up the temperatures are going to plummet, I’m going to be able to see my breath, and I – yet again – am completely out of wrapping paper.

The second comfort is far more important.

I was on a quest for years to find holiday music I didn’t find pathetic and depressing. I know you classic holiday music lovers will disagree and say that White Christmas doesn’t make you want to drink until you pass out – but to each their own – I can’t stand slow, droning music in a minor key.

When I found the music I loved, I decided to start a new holiday tradition in our home. Fun holiday music. From Rockabilly to Lounge to Tiki to Jazz. Music that makes you grin from ear to ear thinking about the joy of the holiday season.

When I listen to holiday lounge music I sometimes forget who I am. Instead of just being an amazing wife, mother, and employee I’m suddenly Samantha from Bewitched. One of my top pics is Ultra-Lounge – Christmas Cocktails. It’s a two-CD set with lively trumpets and fun vocals. Every song reminds me how much I adore the holiday season.

To switch it up on nights so cold you think there may never be another summer again we put on Tiki music! Luau in December by King Kukulele & The Friki Tikis (best band name ever, right?) is one of the holiday albums that my kids probably love even more than I do. They try to hula every time I put it on, and it makes us all forget about the frost on the windows for a little while.

I make it a point to listen to music that is upbeat and fun, because seriously, around this time of year all I have to do if I want to become insane with deep emotion and start sobbing I can look at my kids and they look all lovingly into my eyes and all of a sudden I look like that crying jag scene in The Blair Witch Project and I’m running for the Kleenex.

My upbeat music helps guide that deep well of emotion into joy as opposed to something more meloncholy and maudlin.

Not Just for Christmas

Hanukkah lovers, don’t think I’m leaving you out, either! Kenny Ellis has an album called Hanukkah Swings! and it’s absolutely lounge-tastic.

Really, I think you should be beyond amazed at my inclusiveness. I’d pat myself on the back but I’d probably dislocate my shoulder. I’m subtle like that.

There is also an album by Lynette Washington called Long, Long Ago and it’s dubbed itself a Jazz celebration of Christmas, Chanukah & Kwanzaa. All your holidays in one fabulous place!

I only found one Yule album, and it even mentions the Yule log on one of the songs so I’m pretty sure I’m barking up the right tree with this one. It’s called A Yuletide Celebration and it’s by Kari Tauring.

Atheists? You can listen to anything because it’s just another day for you. You don’t need suggestions and if you like snarky anti-holiday music I’m sure it’s already loaded up and ready to go in your iPod.

So there you have it. A cup of snotty coffee, wonderful upbeat music, and my family are my holiday comforts. They are what make the holidays my magical, special time.

I think I’m going to go put some on right now. Probably Ultra-Lounge. There will be martinis.

I love the holidays.