The year was 1953, but I can't say that I was aware of the release of the holiday gem "I Fell Out of a Christmas Tree" by 9-year old Rita Faye Wilson. My parents didn't have a lot of Christmas music back in those days, but this song seemed to show up each year at our house right before the holidays.

It is probably still floating around somewhere on a 78 vinyl record. For those who are too young to know, that was the rpm of some records back in the old days.

The tune was all about a little girl who arrived on Christmas day by falling out of a Christmas tree; there was no stork, she was not left in a basket on a porch. The last line of the song goes, "If it wasn't for Christmas there wouldn't be no me."

Little Girls Want Strange Things

The same year that one girl was singing about falling out of a tree, another was begging for something odd in the tune "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." I don't know if she got a letter from Santa to confirm, but Gayla Peevey actually got her wish. The hippo was donated to the local zoo after being presented to her.

Three Furry Singers

Every young child wanted to be good in order to get something special from Santa, so that is probably why "I'm Getting Nuttin' for Christmas" was played so often in the old days.

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore followed that up with "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth." Why did chipmunks always sing Christmas songs?

There has been a definite change in what songs are popular. In the 1960's, Alvin and the other chipmunks were considered musical stars as Alvin kept saying, 'I want a hula hoop' from "Christmas Don't Be Late." This kind of song might not be successful today, but back at its release it became the number one song in America.

Country Christmas SongsThe country song "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" is probably one of my favorite funny Christmas songs in the last several years. I grew up in the country, so I am able to appreciate the humor and country accent of this tune. A letter from Santa telling his arrival time might have saved poor old grandma.

Along similar lines of country, you have to give Jeff Foxworthy some credit for his "Redneck 12 Days of Christmas." Then there's Jeff's buddy Bill Engvall giving his "Here's Your Sign Christmas."

All these songs are still good ones for the kids. They serve to let them know that Santa has a sense of humor, and that he is still delivering the presents to those that are good. When they get letters from Santa, it makes them happy and excited. They might even want to sing along with Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Traditional Tunes

Let's not forget the traditional tunes we hear from one Christmas to the next. These include:

* Silent Night
* Away in a Manger
* Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
* Oh Christmas Tree
* Oh Holy Night
* I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
* Winter Wonderland
* Joy to the World
* Oh Come All Ye Faithful
* The First Noel

And the list continues. In addition to receiving a letter from Santa, kids also enjoy a holiday get together so that family and friends can all join in and sing the traditional tunes of the Christmas holiday. Christmas just isn't the same without the music to go along with the celebration of the season. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!