What puts you in the Christmas spirit? Is it listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, or a combination of both? Students share what their favorite things to listen to and watch during the holiday season are.
Source: Nicholas Maisano, Staff Writer and Photographer
“My favorite Christmas song is ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham!,” said sophomore James Spoto. “I like the beat throughout the song and also think it brings out the most Christmas spirit with its festive lyrics.”
“My favorite Christmas song is ‘Drummer Boy’ by Justin Bieber because it has a fun beat and makes me happy,” said sophomore Faith Erasmo.
According to Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Holiday Songs” list, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey tops the chart, followed by “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee at #2, and “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helm at #3.
“I like listening to both classic and recent Christmas songs, depending on my mood,” said Erasmo. “My favorite Christmas artist is Michael Bublé.”
Sophomore Tim Via is also a fan of Michael Bublé.
“I mostly listen to him around the holidays,” said Via.
“I like the classic artists better, like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, as their songs have more of a Christmas-feel than the more recent artists and their songs,” said Spoto.
“I love the classics,” said sophomore Caitlyn Mascetta. “I grew up performing in the Nutcracker Ballet for 12 years, so any song from that soundtrack brings me back.”
During the season, Christmas music can be listened to anywhere and at any time. Where and when do students listen to these festive songs the most?
“I listen to Christmas music at all times during the season like while studying, driving, at the gym, or casually,” said Erasmo.
“I typically have Christmas music playing if I am baking cookies, opening presents, or decorating the tree,” said Via.
“When I was younger, my family and I would listen to Christmas music when we were decorating the tree or if we were just around the house in the days leading up to Christmas,” said Spoto.
Aside from listening to Christmas music, students also enjoy watching their favorite holiday movies because it connects them to fond Christmas memories.
“My favorite movie, hands down, is ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,’” said Spoto. “Nothing beats the Griswold family and watching it every Christmas Eve with my dad.”
“My favorite Christmas movie is ‘Elf’ or ‘Home Alone,’” said Erasmo. “It makes me feel nostalgic and brings me back to when I first watched them in elementary school.”
“Every Christmas we watch ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.’ It is my mom’s favorite Christmas movie, and we always watch it together at some point around the holiday,” said Via.
“I love ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Elf.’ They were my favorites as a child,” said Mascetta.
Each year, TV network Freeform has their “25 Days of Christmas” movie marathon. From Dec. 1 – 25, most of their programming is dedicated to Christmas movies, including classic movies like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”
For more information and the full schedule of movies airing throughout December, visit freeform.com.
