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The season of joy is here and we all need as much Christmas magic as the world has in store. Whether you’re a die-hard Christmas fan or just happy to have a few days off, this series will help you choose the perfect gifts, playlists, meals and activities to make this the best Christmas ever.

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This one year when I was in high school I was at a Christmas Eve party with some friends and we thought it would be fun to sing Christmas carols. It was a smart move, a fool’s errand, but we went to a random house in my friend’s suburban neighborhood, someone dared someone to ring the doorbell, and before long a suspicious old man looked at us and asked, “Well ?”

Our bluff was right, my scruffy friends and I started yelling “Jingle Bells.” It didn’t sound good, but even though we meant it, “Aren’t we being so ironic?” What to do during the bored Christmas holidays didn’t turn out that way. The old man called his wife to the door, and they were surprised and delighted. Me too. It was an unexpected connection between strangers in a cold world. I still think Christmas is super cheesy, but that wasn’t the case. It stuck with me. For the past few years (at least when I have the energy), I try to sing a few Christmas carols together at Christmas. I think you should too.

The history of the Christmas carol

There is no historical starting point for “people singing songs to each other just because that’s how they are,” but carols as a specific thing have historical roots in the itinerant minstrels of the Middle Ages. They evolved into the Christmas choir tradition of the Victorian era, the golden age of carols. The Victorians loved Gather family and friends and hit the streets for some good old-fashioned wassailing. What else should you have done in the pre-TV era, especially in the winter?

Why you should sing Christmas carols

Aside from the occasional group of professional carolers at the mall, you don’t see many people taking part in the practice anymore. Television, heating, cars, computers – basically modernity – have destroyed the Christmas carol. We no longer have much space for spontaneous community interactions like caroling. Here are just a few of the reasons why I think you should sing Christmas carols this year:

Overcoming social barriers: Christmas carols are a rare, socially accepted way to approach strangers and create moments of happiness. Caroling reconnects us with our neighbors in a meaningful, just slightly intrusive way.

Personal growth: It takes real courage to step out of your comfort zone and sing in public. Who doesn’t need a test of courage every now and then?

For the children: Your kids will remember the year Mom made everyone sing Christmas carols more vividly than anything they stream, I promise.

Spread happiness: A little singing can change a person’s entire day, especially if they’re lonely or isolated, and isn’t that the point of this whole Christmas thing?

How to sing Christmas carols

Christmas carols turn out better with a little preparation. This is how you can create an evening with a festive Christmas atmosphere from door to door.

Step one: Assemble the force

Just showing up on someone’s porch and screaming “Jingle Bells” isn’t a Christmas song, it’s disturbing the peace. You need to get some friends together. You could Visit your city’s subreddit or Next Door and advertise to people who want to sing, but respondents would probably expect you to try to organize a “serious” group. We opt for the classic, semi-spontaneous Christmas carol experience and that starts with a carol party. Invite friends, family and acquaintances to a Christmas party. Keep it light, but realize that Christmas carols will be part of the evening.

Ask your guests to each bring a Christmas sweater, festive scarf or other holiday costume. This is important: Something as simple as a festive hat is a visual cue that transforms a group from suspicious to friendly in people’s minds. If you want to be special, have some LED candles ready to hand out for the caroling. And be sure to print out the lyrics to your chosen songs.

Step two: Choose some songs

Christmas carols are an anachronism and therefore fit better with older songs. Keep your “set list” to “everyone knows them” Christmas classics that are easy to sing. My selection:

“We wish you a Merry Christmas.“This is the ultimate Christmas song banger. “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” is energetic, cheerful and easy to sing around Christmas carols. I wouldn’t keep the promise (threat?) of the song and sing until you get some “fig pudding.”

“Silent Night.” This classic is slow, pretty and instantly recognizable to everyone. Singing properly requires a bit of vocal range, but we don’t strive for perfection, so don’t worry.

“Jingle Bells.” This is the easiest Christmas song to sing. It might be a little too simple, but you get extra points if you add the parody text about what Batman smells like.

“Decorate the halls.” Another Victorian-era song that has barely any lyrics to remember: most of the song is “fa la la la la,” and who doesn’t love singing “fa la la la la”?

Step three: samples

Once everyone is together, play through your songs. Only do this once and don’t worry about how it sounds. Singing in a group is not about rehearsing, but rather making sure everyone feels comfortable. However, if you have a few singers in the group, putting together some harmonies makes the Christmas carol magical.

Step four: Get outside

This is the big moment – ​​the test of courage. Announce to the party that the caroling is about to begin, but give your shy guests a chance by letting them know they can come over and just watch if they want. (In the end, they’ll probably want to join in.)

While you could visit a few neighbors you know or let them know beforehand that you’re coming over to sing, I’m more in favor of showing up at strangers’ houses without warning. This increases the likelihood of unexpected magic and embarrassment. Both are good results.

The classic move is to ring/knock on the door and sing. This gives your audience the option not to open the door if they don’t want to deal with you.

If you like the idea of ​​singing Christmas carols but don’t like the idea of ​​strangers and surprises, consider singing Christmas carols at an assisted living facility. I guarantee you will be welcomed with open arms and the residents will enjoy it.

This keeps singing Christmas carols entertaining

Here are a few things to keep in mind to make your caroling experience fun for everyone:

Don’t be too ambitious: Don’t plan a long expedition with multiple stops. Your guests will probably soon get tired of singing for strangers. Therefore, only plan three or four home visits.

Don’t stay with us too long: A bunch of strangers showing up and singing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” is fun, but only for a few minutes, so don’t sing more than one song unless asked.

Don’t take a rejection personally: When you knock on a stranger’s door, their first reaction is probably, “What are you doing?” want?” Some people don’t like it at all when strangers show up and sing, and some people literally don’t know how to react, so don’t take it personally. Try to recognize the mood and say goodbye after the first chorus if you encounter someone who’s really not into it.

Do nothing but Christmas carols: Not asking for anything in return is the most important Christmas rule. Don’t mention your church. Don’t try to sell anything. Don’t ask for donations or for anyone to sign a petition. Despite the lyrics, don’t demand fig pudding and threaten to stay until you get some. Just sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and wait for the audience to say, “Wow! “Thanks, I guess,” and get on your way.

Be ready to accept new members: Sometimes people you don’t want to meet want to come along. Leave her!