Free Christmas Music Downloads

Now that Hallowe'en is over, everyone's mind is shifting to the Holiday season. I was out on the weekend and the stores are already starting to get pretty busy.

For me, music is a mood lifter and enhancer. To get into the spirit of things, usually all it takes is some appropriate music. I love Christmas songs most all, they work better to put me in the right frame of mind than any other kind. It just works for me.

There are probably a million places where you can get Christmas music, much of it you can listen to for free. If it's just for the personal pleasure of you and your family, you're probably good to go on any site offering tunes at no charge. Just take care that you don't download a virus and if you plan on downloading then uploading to your website, be sure to check the copyright license.

Here are some websites offering free Christmas music downloads that I found.

• Incompetech - I'm sending you directly to the Holiday page. You'll have to scroll down just a little to find the songs. It mentions in the FAQ that while the music is free, a $5 donation is gratefully accepted if listeners so choose to show their appreciation financially to Kevin MacLeod, site owner and musician.

• Christmas with the Swirrels - The kids will absolutely love this one! I'd be willing to bet there won't be a young child who can resist singing along.

• Feels Like Christmas - Once again, I seem to be boasting a (sort of) competitor site but you can't beat free legal downloads, can you? Most of the songs here are performed by independent artists.

• Christmas MPFree - A source of traditional and original, free legal Christmas music downloads.

• EZ Tracks - This site offers up free carols, hymns, orchestral, and kids music by well-known names and in a variety of genres. You can even download your favourite song as a ringtone - for free.

Well, that should be enough to get you started. Now, you can compile your family's best loved Holiday music in preparation for the season. And it won't cost you a penny.

Hope you enjoy your free Christmas music downloads!

Christmas Tree Ornaments - Where Have the Canadian Ones Gone?

Is it just me, or is the world in short supply of uniquely Canadian Christmas Tree Ornaments? Maybe they're out there and I just haven't found them, I'm not a huge shopper and usually stick to online purchases. That is perhaps, the problem.

Last year, I found a few crazy Canuck ornaments, some of them are even still available through Amazon. There were silly, of course, but they did had a distinctly Canadian theme. Not that I would hang some of those on my tree but I'm trying to stick to the blog's point of a Canadian Christmas.

Anyway, I did find a few decorations dedicated to our country. On Amazon, of course. I'll refrain from calling them tasteful.
Hmm, okay not a few, just one. The rest were either repeats of the ones that I posted last year or were American sports ornaments (what??). At least this little guy is cute. They refer to him as a Canadian boy. We grow 'em hairy here in the north. :)

If memory serves me, last year I suggested that you skip the country-specific decorations and use the Gingerbread cookie recipe and decoration instructions to make your own ornaments. Well, I'm giving you the same advice this year. Not an original tip perhaps, but a better looking end product.

For those of you already getting into the spirit of all things Santa, have fun preparing or shopping for your Christmas tree ornaments this year. If you find or make any that scream Canuck, please do let me know.

Pink Christmas Trees - Not Just for Barbie Anymore

Pink Christmas Trees - so Barbie-esque!

Okay, let's have a show of hands - who doesn't love pink Christmas trees? Uh-huh, that's what I thought. My hand was up, too.

Although that much pink makes me think of Barbie and taffeta, there are people who just love the colour on their tree, apparently. I've heard rumblings and rumours that pink Christmas trees are making a come back, I just haven't been able to fathom why yet. I'm not saying they're not pretty, just mentioning that they don't put me in the traditional Christmas spirit. Rather, I get the feeling that little ballerinas in tutus are about to jump out and start performing Swan Lake or something. They truly do make me think of Barbie every time I see one. That's just me, I guess.

Believe it or not, pink Christmas tree sales are on the rise. I've tried imagining a family sitting around fluffy pink boughs, digging out gifts from Santa. I'm usually pretty good at visualization but I just can't pull this one off. If you happen to have a picture of something like that, please send it to me and I'll post it on here.

Actually, I can see a very good and practical use for these symbols of femininity. They would be perfect for brand recognition in the corporate offices of Mary Kay Cosmetics or at a Breast Cancer Awareness function, for example. I can picture the Barbie-esque trees in those situations, just not my (or anyone else's) home.

Just in case, you love pink Christmas trees, here's a few for you to look at:

   

A Buy Nothing Christmas

Some people might think I'm nuts for doing this but I'm going to plug another site here. I came across it while searching for a different Christmas topic and was intrigued enough to go and read this 'A Buy Nothing Christmas' Alternatives page. Just click on the name, it's linked and will take you to where I'm talking about.

There are quite a few suggestions for making low or no cost gifts, adopting an animal species on the brink of extinction, recycling and bunches more, all for Christmas gift giving. The point obviously, is to avoid buying the traditionally expensive presents that have become synonymous with the season.

So many of us suffer overwhelming consumerism at this time of year. We buy stuff nobody needs and that we can't afford. That's not always the case, certainly, but sometimes it seems that things have spiraled out of control. I just think that it would be nice to step back a little and give more from the heart than the credit card. Gee, that sounds a little cynical, doesn't it. Guess, I'd better dig out my Santa hat and start getting into the spirit more myself.

Meantime, check out the site. You might find some ideas that are perfect for the people on your list this year without having to spend a fortune. It's fun to make personal gifts or to give something totally unique and extra thoughtful. The recipients will love it, too!