By now, most people are busy shopping for the gift-giving season, or are at
least planning their last-minute run on the stores. Christmas-themed gift
items for this season come in all shapes and sizes, and for a variety of
tastes. From the simple charm of holiday music, to the extravagance of a
trip to Dollywood, there is something out there for everyone.
To start things off right, an actual Christmas tree is called for. A great
deal on the Yuletide centerpiece comes from Wal-Mart, especially for those
of us without a lot of room to spare. The “Christmas On Mainstreet 24”
Table Tree,” comes complete with lights, ornaments and a non-messy
tinsel strand. The UT English Department Office in McClung Tower 311 has
one of these beauties on display. It’s priced at only $8.96, but if you get
really strapped for a present, this is just the sort of thing that will
dramatically drop in price around Dec. 19.
As a soundtrack for the holidays, several compilations of Christmas
standards are available. Styles range from traditional arrangements to
interpretations by popular alternative music artists.
A Soap Opera Christmas features “holiday songs sung by your
favorite daytime stars.” Actors from all three major networks get together
for the album. The disc includes several Christmas standards like “Have
Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” sung by Scott Holmes (Tom Hughes on
As the World Turns) and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let it Snow!”
sung by Diana Barton and Scott Reeves (Marilyn Mason and Ryan McNeil on
The Young and The Restless).
The standout track is a medley of “O Come All Ye Faithful/ Joy to the
World,” sung by Martha Byrne (Lily Grimaldi of As the World Turns).
The instrumentation hints at surf music and the guitar playing of Les Paul.
Byrne’s voice is straightforward and full.
One interesting track features Peter Bergman, who plays the ruthless Jack
Abbott on The Young and The Restless, reciting the story of the baby
Jesus. Bergman’s voice sounds warm and fatherly, quite unlike his TV
character.
Non-standard Christmas tunes include “We Should Be Together For Christmas,”
sung by Tamara Tunie (Jessica McKechnie on As the World Turns) and
“Grown-Up Christmas List,” sung by Randy Brooks (Marshall Kramer III of
Another World). Other than Byrne’s performance, the soap stars don’t
do anything new or especially spectacular with the songs. Still, this
should be a fun CD for soap fans.
On the opposite end of the musical spectrum lies So This Is
Christmas, an Atlantic Records compilation of popular alternative
performers. Notable tracks include “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,”
performed by veteran underground eccentric Daniel Johnston and Bad
Religion’s punk version of “Silent Night.” Tori Amos tries her hand at
“Little Drummer Boy,” complete with her trademark moans.
From Chicago, the band Hello Dave offer a holiday CD with a
charitable cause. Proceeds from their A Hello Dave Christmas
go to Camp Heartland, a summer camp program devoted to the needs of
children afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Hello Dave performs holiday standards in
the middle of the rock and roll road, stylistically somewhere between the
Atlantic “alternative” artists and the soap opera stars. The most notable
track is “Winter Wonderland,” performed in a light bluesy style.
Oddly, the only song featured on all three CDs is “Have Yourself a Merry
Little Christmas.” Holmes’ version on the soap disc is a strong vocal
performance, though very middle-of-the-road in style. Victoria Williams
sings a charming, if shrill, rendition on the Atlantic release, sounding
childlike and Christmas-happy. Hello Dave sound as if they recorded it
around a campfire, with just a guitar. They give it a warm, “group-of-guys”
feeling, but don’t match Williams for charm and spirit.
If you have trouble getting into the spirit of the holidays, there is an
advice book specially designed to help you. The Little Book of
Christmas Joys, by H. Jackson Brown, offers 432 helpful hints on
making Christmas as cheery as possible. One warning, though: this is as
saccharin as holiday sentimentality gets.
Tidbits of joy from Brown’s book range from practical to syrupy. Joy number
5, for instance, wisely advises, “Never select a Christmas tree after
dark.” On the sappy side, number 69 suggests, “Before going to bed every
night of the Christmas season, ask yourself, ‘Whose life did I make
brighter today?’ ”
Some items are just silly fun: “Wear outrageous Christmas socks” (number
83).
For the adventurous reader, Brown includes several recipes suitable for
home or office parties. Taste-teasers include “It Smells Like Christmas”
Pumpkin Bread (number 33), Amaretto Fudge Cake (number 349) and Aunt Emma’s
Baked Apricots (number 405).
For the most part, Brown’s book contains reminders of all the “little
things” of the season. Some suggestions, like “Don’t forget the ornament
hooks” (number 186) and “Don’t forget the extension cord” (number 187),
seem rather nagging.
If you want to really indulge in the Christmas spirit, you might take the
advice of Christmas Joy number 49: “Throw restraint to the wind. Christmas
is the one time of year when bigger is better and gaudy is good.” The
biggest, gaudiest display of holiday cheer in Tennessee is the Dollywood
Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Boasting 1,600,000 twinkling lights, the entertainment and crafts theme
park pulls out all the stops to celebrate the season. Their Celebrity
Theatre hosts nightly performances of “For Unto Us a Child Is Born,” a
living nativity set outdoors. Other highlights include handbell choirs,
carolers and a special holiday program by the Kingdom Heirs, Dollywood’s
award-winning gospel quartet.
Other Dollywood Christmas attractions include Dolly’s Christmas Chapel,
covered with snow no matter what the weather, and a world of gift shopping
choices. The park is open daily until Dec. 30 (closed for Dec. 24 and
25).
However you celebrate your holidays, remember to be good to yourself and
your loved ones. Also remember to celebrate New Year’s Eve responsibly.
It’s far better to brag that you stayed at the party all night long than it
is to die driving home drunk.
