Here are the high plains of northwestern Kansas, we have begun singing Christmas songs at the assisted living facilities I visit. Employees, volunteers, music therapists, and carolers may find a few “new” old gems to add from my list. So here we go:
- Image by cassie_bedfordgolf via Flickr
- Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer
- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Deck the Halls
- Silent Night
- The Christmas Song
- Let It Snow!
- White Christmas
- Blue Christmas
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- Frosty the Snow Man
- Winter Wonderland
- Must Be Santa
- I’ll Be Home for Christmas (This one gets mixed reception due to the emotions tied to family home versus being in a facility.)
- Jingle Bells (Try more than one verse, too!)
- Jolly Old St. Nicholas
- Up on the Housetop
- Here Comes Santa Claus
I’ve sung all of these this holiday season. I tend to shy away from “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” though, as well as “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays.” The first one is a little closer to what many of my clients would be feeling, though. The second is just too darned upbeat.
I let the group make the call on that one. My mother-in-law said it is one of her must hear songs.