You have planned an intimate evening with a few close friends to celebrate the festive season and exchange a few gifts. What music would help to set the mood for the biggest celebration of the year?
We all know that the right selection of music can dictate how people act. Some styles can cause you to feel upbeat, others can make you emotional. You want to think about the mood you are trying to create and then buy CDs or use some from your own collection to achieve it. When you’re planning your party, you’ll want to think about the people who have accepted the invitation and take into consideration the kind of music they enjoy as well.
There are various spiritual beliefs and numerous religious occasions throughout December’s holiday season, but all recognize it as a time of peace and love and generosity. Therefore you will want to create an atmosphere of well-being and have your guests feel good about themselves. They will want to enjoy the event, and enjoy spending time with other good friends. Hearing those old songs about Frosty the Snowman and City Sidewalks can liven up a party but make sure you don’t have it so loud that you drown out the conversation.
Think carefully about your guests and their personal preferences, if you know them. If they are involved in a Christian church, you may want to find music that includes the traditional carols about the birth of a baby in Bethlehem. But it may be safer to play contemporary songs that are more generic. There are not enough musical selections from all religions to reflect the many and varied beliefs, such as Jewish or Kwanza. Not everyone believes in the Biblical interpretation of the holiday, but most people accept Santa Claus and the traditional day off on December 25th when turkey and mince pie are served after the presents are opened.
If you are really concerned about hurting a sensitive guest, it may be best to avoid any Christmas music at all and concentrate on simply setting a mood. If you want an intimate ambience, try classical guitar playing by Julian Bream, Andres Segovia, or Jose Feliciano. If you want to feature the easy listening genre, try Michael Buble, Il Divo, or Josh Groban. You can also find suitable CDs in the country, big band, and light rock. If you have satellite radio in your house, you have literally over a hundred stations from which to choose as every genre is available.
The final option would be to ask musician friends, or perhaps even hire a small ensemble, to play live music, which would allow your guests to make requests for their favourite songs. Or you could ask them to play a few selections from several different genres, providing an eclectic mixture of songs. A keyboard and guitar would make a nice little twosome to provide background music as your evening progresses. A flute or a harp also provide gentle ambience. You won’t have to worry about a thing except enjoying being a hostess who has thought of everything to make her guests happy and her evening a success.
Here are some choices you may like:
Christmas Albums:
My Christmas - Andrea Bocelli
Gold and Green - Sugarland
Non-Christmas:
I Dreamed a Dream - Susan Boyle
Play On - Carrie Underwood
Crazy Love - Michael Buble
