Want to try something a little bit unique at your family gathering this Christmas? You could serve some of the foods that are mentioned in lyrics from popular Christmas carols. This could lead to a family sing-a-long, or a culturally interesting set of appetizers.
Christmas music evokes strong emotions in many people. You are either someone who loves it, (and cannot get enough of it), or you are someone who hates it, (and rushes to change the radio station whenever a carol starts playing). Either way, it is very likely that you have memorized the lyrics to several Christmas carols, (whether you wanted to or not).
If you will be hosting the family gathering for Christmas this year, then you have the opportunity to do something a little more interesting than simply laying out a table full of before-dinner snacks. It is entirely possible to connect traditional Christmas treats with popular Christmas carols. Put little cards next to each food or drink that explains the connection.
With luck, your family members will find it amusing to discuss these fun facts, and maybe even sing a few Christmas carols together. This might distract them from fighting with each other, or causing unfortunate family drama.
Eggnog is mentioned in one of the newer Christmas carols. The song “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” was written and preformed by Elmo and Patsy Shropshire in 1979. Part of the lyrics are “She’s been drinkin’ too much eggnog, and we begged her not to go”. This, plus the fact that “grandma” forgot her medication, caused her reindeer induced downfall that Christmas.
Popcorn is a tasty snack at any time of the year. In the past, people would make garlands of popcorn to decorate their Christmas trees with. The traditional Christmas song “Let It Snow” was written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in 1945. Part of the lyrics include: “It doesn’t show signs of stopping, and I’ve brought some corn for popping”.
Pumpkin Pie is mentioned in several Christmas carols. The song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was written by Johnny Marks, and recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. Part of the lyrics of this song include: “Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie, and we’ll do some caroling”.
Robert Allen wrote the music for the Christmas song “(There’s No Place Like Home) For the Holidays”, with lyrics written by Al Stillman, in 1954. This song contains the lyric: “ I met a man who lives in Tennessee, and he was headin’ for Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie”.
Pumpkin pie is also mentioned in the song “Sleigh Ride”. The orchestral part of the song was composed by Leroy Anderson in 1948, and the lyrics were written by Mitchell Parish in 1950. Part of this song goes: “There’s a happy feeling, Nothing in the world can buy, When they pass around the chocolate, and the pumpkin pie”.
The same song contains the lyric: “At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop. Pop! Pop! Pop!” Chestnuts are also mentioned in “The Christmas Song”, which was written by Mel Torme and Bob Wells in 1944. It has a lyric that starts with “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”.
Image by Isaac Wedin on Flickr