Melodies of Christmas Past

You're holding a scorching hot cup of cocoa by the fireplace in your new Star Wars socks, sitting on the rocking chair moving back and forth as you stare out through the window at the never ending layers of white all over. One snowflake twirls and falls on to the window pane making a “ting” sound as you fall asleep while Peter Pan takes small and quiet steps down the chimney. Wait, no, wrong fictional character.
I'm kidding; of course Santa Claus is not fictional! He's as real and relevant as the lyrics to every rendition of Jingle Bells. I don't think I even know the lyrics to the actual Jingle Bells.
Lucky for us (well, kinda) Jingle Bells is not the only Christmas song! There's more where that came from! (A lot more, in fact. Too many. More than enough. Make it stop.)
Plus some memories to go along with these songs for certain folks:
Winter Wonderland: “I used to love Christmas songs as a kid. It's hard to put my finger on a specific memory, but I do remember singing 'Winter Wonderland' with my friends and giggling because the original one has a portion where they sing about getting married.” -- Boshudha Khan, 17.
Author's commentary: I would laugh too if your Christmas involved getting married. I mean, do you know the number of cheapskates who'd try to pass off Christmas presents as anniversary presents?
Christmas Canon Rock: “I watched a lot of TV as a kid. And there used to always be a lot of chaos surrounding Christmas and this song, 'Christmas Canon Rock', being played on TV. I wondered why that never happened in real life.” -- Ata Islam Khan Mojlish, 19.
Author's commentary: I always wondered why I was never waking up to a shower of presents from a random old man who's too fat to get in through our non-existent chimney.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town: “Our parents would take us to see the big tree in some part of the city. Then we'd see people ice skating. My brother and I would be in the back of the car and sing most of the Christmas songs. But the ones I remember are 'falalala' and 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town'.” -- Jumanah Rahman, 17.
Author's commentary: That was from when she used to live abroad. Otherwise any big tree I can think of here in Dhaka would be a “Bot gaachh”.
Last Christmas (George Michael): “Whenever this song comes on, I tell people that it reminds of the day I got dumped. Well, it's a joke, but people seem to buy it.” -- Tausif Ali Chowdhury, 18.
Author's commentary: “Last Christmas I believed what you said, but the very next day you told me you lied.” No, wait, that doesn't rhyme. Must consult my lyricist.
Let It Snow: “I associate 'Let It Snow' with cold, not just because of the lyrics, but it was actually playing the first time I saw snow.” -- Anthony Frasier, 25.
Author's commentary: It's like the snow's theme song or something.
Christmas Lights (Coldplay): “We never really celebrated Christmas growing up, but I remember this one winter when my parents just wouldn't stop fighting. So, my older brother took me out on a drive. And all I remember from that night is a lot of hot chocolate, fun childhood stories and 'Christmas Lights' playing in the car again and again.” -- Umaya Mehreen, 17.
Author's commentary: Not to be biased, but this one's my favorite.
I always did find it amazing how one song can bring back memories and reconnect you to a long-gone time. Music really is universal. Merry Christmas, everyone! Falalalala, lalalala. (Got it stuck in your head, didn't I?)