A New Yorky Sort of Holiday Concert

We put up our first tree in our new home last night. In the light of day, I'd say doing so is probably best BEFORE cocktails. But that's alright, we have a few days to sort it out.

There's an unusual number of darker takes on the season out there at the moment, and much of what Hollywood is offering seems designed to make you feel good only in comparison (e.g., Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Darkest Hour, etc.). So there's ample opportunity to get your Scrooge on, if that's your inclination.

But call me a romantic, as 2011 ends, I'm feeling more optimistic about things than I have in quite some time, and so I'm offering this simple playlist, for kids from one to, well, mostly those who like music from the 80s or earlier. My gift to you, a New Yorky kind of holiday concert.

Please do add your faves as well.

Wishing you and yours the warmest and most cheerful of the holiday you celebrate.








This one is particularly for the troops returning from Iraq. I hope they have the most lovely of holidays with their families this year:






And I posted this last week, but it's so my fave, that I'm dedicating it to all my friends in New York with whom we're celebrating Christmas this year. Let's see if we can stay just this side of the particulars of MacGowan's fairytale ... or not :-)



And thrown in, not because it's all that New Yorky, but because it makes me happy: