The Gift of Music: Bezzy Members Share Holiday Songs and Memories
December 17, 2024
Design by Ryan Hamsher
Here are Bezzy members‘ favorite holiday tunes, and how listening makes them feel.
The holiday season can bring up mixed emotions like excitement and overwhelm as another year comes to a close. Maybe you feel stressed over a busy month ahead, or experience a wave of grief over the loss of a loved one as another milestone holiday approaches.
Listening to music can be therapeutic, and holiday music may evoke strong emotions and memories from previous seasons.
We asked Bezzy community members, What’s your favorite holiday song? How does the song, or holiday music in general, make you feel?”
You all responded with over 50 different songs, which you can listen to through a Spotify playlist we created. Here’s what you said about the music.
My favorite holiday song is…
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ by Gene Autry
“‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ makes me sad and happy. At first, Rudolph is a misfit because of his shiny nose. That’s often how I feel about having a mental illness. I feel like a misfit in my family and the greater society. I feel that people don’t understand how I am feeling.
“At the same time, I feel happy because Rudolph finds his sense of belonging even with a shiny nose. He feels like he finally fits in with the other reindeer. It reminds me I’m accepted even though I am different.” — teacher17, Bezzy Depression community member
‘You Make It Feel Like Christmas’ by Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
“I love traditional hymns and carols but also upbeat modern holiday songs. One more recent song that always gets me in the spirit is Gwen Stefani’s ‘You Make it Feel Like Christmas’ featuring Blake Shelton. It reminds me that one of the best parts of the holiday season is love.” — LauraMargaret, Bezzy T2D community member
‘Blue Christmas’ by Elvis Presley
“One of my many favorite Christmas songs is Elvis Presley’s ‘Blue Christmas.’ His beautiful voice conjures a special melancholy Christmas feeling in me, a feeling of sadness amid the joy and gaiety as I miss those I can no longer be with at this time of the year.
“These missing loved ones can be old friends, old loves, or lost relatives. They are not here, and I still long for their presence. The song represents all the wonderful Christmas celebrations that came before and always draws a tear for what once was but is no more.” — writeaway, Bezzy COPD community member
I tend to feel very sad around Christmas because I’m alone; and it’s been that way for me for decades. There was a time when Christmas was a joyful time for me when I was much younger. It hasn’t been like that for a good while. ‘Blue Christmas’ is a holiday song I like that I can relate to.
— Tom57, Bezzy Depression community member
‘O Holy Night’ sung by Martina McBride
“I had a friend a few years back who was trained in opera singing. She sang ‘O Holy Night’ one Christmas at our tennis club party. Honestly, it was so beautiful it made me cry. It’s been my favorite ever since.” — sheltienz, Bezzy COPD community member
‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ by Andy Williams
“This song makes me warm and fuzzy. It reminds me of my childhood and brings happiness into my heart. Christmas is my favorite holiday and season. It’s the only time you see people smiling and having a good time.
“The bright lights and decorations put smiles on kids’ faces. It’s a season that brings you closer together and it’s sad we only have it for a few short weeks. Everyone should be jolly all the time.” — Jezzelyn, Bezzy MS community member
‘Merry Christmas’ by Ed Sheeran and Elton John
“This song was released in 2021, the year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The song hits home with me because it’s about living in the moment, putting pain behind you, and enjoying those you love because no one knows what the future will bring.” — Julia25, Bezzy BC community member
More favorite songs
‘Frosty the Snowman,’ ‘Let it Snow,’ ‘Winter Wonderland,’ ‘My Favorite Things,’ and ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ are fun, inclusive holiday-associated songs that aren’t religion-specific.
— Snowysquirel63, Bezzy RA community member
‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose….’ This song makes me feel safe and protected in a cocoon of holiday fantasy. Like I am abundant, free, and safe from poverty.
— Healing77, Bezzy COPD community member
‘Feliz Navidad’ by José Feliciano makes me feel happy and upbeat. Spanish is my first language, and the rhythm is great. It can break through the lows I feel during the holidays.
— Sitaqui, Bezzy Depression community member
Every holiday I play the Jackson Five Christmas album! It’s nostalgic for me because my father (God rest his soul), would play it around Christmas Time.
— EazyJean, Bezzy T2D community member
I am not a big fan of Christmas. My sister is Buddy the Elf, and I am the Grinch. My favorite songs are ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch’ by the Small Town Titans and ‘Little Drummer Boy’ by for KING & COUNTRY.
— Suzelynn, Bezzy T2D community member
‘Silver Bells’ is evocative of a winter scene with snow in an urban area, like my experience growing up in the city. ‘Little Drummer Boy’ has a rhythm and beat that’s visceral and aligned with our basic human biological rhythms.
— Rick442a, Bezzy Depression community member
‘Wonderful Christmastime’ by Paul McCartney! It puts me in a good mood and reminds me to take time to enjoy the season, instead of just feeling the stress of family holidays.
— Kathop, Bezzy IBD community member
‘Last Christmas’ by Wham! It’s just the perfect song for the holiday. Makes me feel excited to bake cookies in the kitchen with my toddlers and get cozy in front of a holiday movie with homemade popcorn.
— Elena91, Bezzy Migraine community member
You can follow and listen to a playlist with all these songs on Spotify.
Is there a playlist theme you’d like us to cover? Let us know by emailing us at article-feedback@bezzy.com.
Fact checked on December 17, 2024
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