Christmas music in the form of carols, songs stringed or instrumental

sacred, secular, popular and traditional - that have emerged throughout the

years.

Popular and secular renditions of Christmas music has been developed by

musical artists and performers who 'make over' classic styles of Christmas music

with their own personal touch. One reason for popular make overs of Christmas

music may be because regular popular music is not heard during the holiday

season so pop musicians and artists do Christmas music to keep their voices

always in earshot of their fans and the general audience. It could also be that

they want to capitalize on the popularity of Christmas music.

Whatever the reason, it has become a trend for popular musical artists to

release new Christmas or holiday music albums during the season. Since variety

is the spice of life, it means there are more variations of secular, sacred,

classical or traditional and popular renditions of Christmas music that can be

heard.

Music at Christmas time is important to create the right mood. The

prevalence of Christmas music is what helps to create the special holiday type

of feeling or spirit that is present everywhere and among everyone. Everyone has

particular Christmas songs and carols that are favorites, maybe for the melody,

the lyrics or because they are reminders of special memories.

The most popular Christmas song is said to be 'White Christmas,' which is

popular even in warm and tropical climates where people sing of 'dreaming of a

White Christmas,' which in reality they would not want. Other popular Christmas

songs and carols are: Away in a Manger, which tells the Nativity story in song;

O Holy Night, Silent Night, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels and Angels

we have Heard on High.

All of those songs are sacred and are all about the story of Jesus' birth. Of

note also is Handel's majestic 'Hallelujah Chorus,' which is a favorite that

choirs like to sing because of the splendor embodied in the music.

Nat King Cole's 'Chestnut Roasting On an Open Fire' is a classical favorite. It

defies categorization as it isn't sacred but is also not considered secular like

a song such as 'Sleigh Ride.' Among secular Christmas songs, there are also

funny ones such as 'I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus Underneath the Mistletoe

Last Night' and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The availability of a wide

Christmas music selection makes it possible to choose ones for different

occasions, such as for general use at home, for a fun or informal party or for a

formal dinner. As an example, selections can be made to create the right mood at

the start of a party, followed by more lively music when the party is in full

swing, and then selections to slow down the pace when the party is nearing its

end.

It's also important to note that professional groups such as choirs, symphonies

and orchestras will also record performances of Christmas music on albums. For

the very serious and critical music aficionados, these albums will provide

wonderful listening pleasure and also make good Christmas presents. Listening to

music from those groups is also a way of enjoying their performances if doesn't

get the opportunity to attend a live concert by the professional group.

Whatever selections of Christmas music are made however, it's likely that it

will create a festive mood and spirit among all who hear or are listening to the

Many radio stations have started playing Christmas songs so early in

Santa never gives away any secrets to shopping for all those gifts, but he must

certainly have a strategy to be so successful every Yuletide season. The early

Christmas shopper is someone who is very organized and has a strategy to fulfill

Christmas shopping before the season kicks into high gear.

The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is the official retail

start to a shopping season that is always hoped to be a robust one. The strategy

of retailers is to advertise Christmas sales, specials, pre-Christmas markdowns,

giveaways, special-hour sales and other promotions. The reason for the frenzy of

retail advertising during Christmas season is because it is the single biggest

shopping time of the year. Christmas shopping that begins the day after

Thanksgiving accounts for well over half - with some estimates of up to 70% --

of annual revenue for stores.

Since retailers clearly have a strategy for Christmas shoppers seeking the

perfect gift, then shoppers also need to implement their own strategy.

The savvy and early Christmas shopper is the one who may start silently

singing Christmas Carols and songs very early to get in gear for shopping.

Starting from as early as the beginning of October, the early Christmas shopper

can begin to make lists of gifts and begin browsing to check the availability,

variety, and most important, the price of items.

By browsing before the Christmas shopping season officially kicks off, the

early Christmas shopper is more likely to get more bargains, better prices, and

is also better able to do comparison shopping when the season officially kicks

off.

It's important to know that retailers won't offer true 'rock bottom' or

'close-out' sales, or the very lowest prices during Christmas sales. It's also

important to remember that retailers are likely to offer earlier sales starting

in early October to near mid-November.

Two significant pre-Christmas sales are for Columbus Day, which falls on

Monday, Oct. 9, and Veterans Day, which will be on Saturday Nov. 11. The early

Christmas shopper who already has gifts in mind can benefit from price markdowns

during both sales periods. And of course the early Christmas shopper will also

have the benefit of shopping during the season, therefore extending the thrill

and joy of shopping.

If there is any disadvantage to being an early Christmas shopper and doing

Christmas shopping very early, it is that some retailers, particularly makers

and sellers of toys, wait until the official start of the season to introduce

some new items into stores. The strategy in doing this is to build anticipation

for a new toy that they hope will be very popular and to also target and capture

a larger majority of shoppers.

During every Christmas season there always is one, or maybe two toys, that

are regarded as the 'must-have' toys for Christmas. And it has become a present-

day phenomenon for shoppers to arrive from the wee hours in the morning to get a

prime spot near the doors of some stores so that they can be among the first in

those stores to make a mad dash for the 'hot' toy of the season.

But being doing or starting Christmas shopping early does not mean that it

has to be over before the Christmas shopping season starts. What it means is

that most or a significant part of your shopping will be done by the time Black

Friday rolls around.

What is most important to making an early start to your Christmas shopping

is to get the best deal and to do so with as little hassle as possible, by

avoiding a crowded store for example. Both of those will be accomplished for

those who are organized and motivated to get into the spirit of Christmas before

the season really begins.