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Christmas Playlist // 2022

December 21, 2022December 21, 2022 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Christmas Playlist // 2022

Hello, friends! Christmas is just days away and I’m finally sharing a Christmas playlist with you.

It used to be a tradition: in November I’d start building a new playlist each year and I’d share it mid-December. A few years ago I created my playlist… and I fell in love with it. So much so that I haven’t made a new one since. I’ve made tweaks to this one each year: sometimes adding a song, sometimes swapping one out. But other than that it has basically stayed the same. As always, this playlist is designed to lead you into Christmas and take you through New Year.

I have two versions for you: a full version and an abridged version. Both have a mix of religious and secular songs. A few standouts for me:

Sleigh Bells by Harry Connick Jr.: I think everyone has a musician who they have to listen to at Christmas otherwise they haven’t listened to Christmas music. Harry Connick Jr. is that musician for me. I could listen to his albums on repeat throughout this season and be content. I could listen to only one of his albums (When My Heart Finds Christmas) and be content. It’s the first Christmas album I reach for and this song is always the first Christmas song I listen to each year.

Christmas Canon by Trans-Siberian Orchestra: I don’t know what it is about this one but I love it. I’ve loved it since I first heard it. I try to make my niece play this on the piano every year and sometimes she grudgingly agrees.

Silent Night, Holy Night by Mahalia Jackson: The first time I heard this song my dad had just picked me up from a night class when I was in college. He worked at a church near campus and would schedule his meetings for the nights I was on campus so that he could pick me up afterward. We’d drive through the city listening to the jazz station on our way home. This song came on as we were nearing the house and we were halfway through the song when he pulled into the garage. We stopped and sat in the car until the song had ended. It’s the most beautiful version of this song that I have ever heard.

What Child Is This? by August Burns Red: My mom objected to this version when she first heard it because it’s not “quiet and peaceful” as the song should be. But really, a lot of versions of this song that we hear on the radio or find on Christmas albums take out a verse that isn’t so peaceful. I like that this version is a little different take on a familiar Christmas carol/hymn.

Auld Lang Syne by Pink Martini: Don’t worry, this isn’t the somewhat depressing version you typically hear. Pink Martini livens things up for a song worth ringing in the new year!

Here’s the abridged version:

And the full version:

What are your favorite Christmas songs?

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

If only we always remembered to be in touch with o If only we always remembered to be in touch with our loved ones regularly; to tell them that we love them.

This thought has been on my mind the last few weeks as I’ve been in touch with one of my best friends almost daily. They’ve been navigating a scary situation.

But that’s what everyone says, isn’t it? Reach out to those you love. Tell them you love them. Don’t let a lot of time pass.

We all know that. We think about it sometimes. We hear about it when others are in crisis. We’re thankful that we aren’t the ones in crisis and we can remember this lesson through someone else.

But eventually we get caught up in life. Our daily “I love you’s” are reserved for those we live with and sometimes we forget to text someone back… or it takes a few days to do so.

This week as I wondered why we don’t remember this more often I realized it’s probably a good thing. It’s a good thing that we can live life without worrying that tragedy is right around the corner. That would be an exhausting way to live.

It’s also good that we can get little reminders, sometimes not from our own life. So from someone who spent one week numb, another week weepy, and this week sad, remember to send your friends a text. Tell them you love them.
I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
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