This year, my annual Christmas album was an EP. Due to a number of circumstances in my personal life, I didn’t have time to record a full album. As a sort of trade-off, I decided to go with all original songs this year. The title song is about a Santa doll that my parents have had since I was very young (pictured on the cover above).

Creepy Santa Doll

An EP of original Christmas songs.2023-12-25

Deck Them Halls

Deck them halls with frou-frou balls
And a millions strings of lights
We’re gonna have a Yuletide Ball
From December first to New Year’s night
Santa Claus and ho-ho-ho
Presents to pretty girls and mistletoe
Christmas, oh Christmas night
We’re gonna feel all right

We don’t need a little Christmas
It looks like we need a lot
So break out the trimmings and the trappings
Hit it with everything we’ve got
Every decoration we ever bought

Maybe we won’t have good weather
Don’t seem like there’ll be any snow
We’ll still keep it nice and toasty
Crank the carols on the stereo
Wassail will set our cheeks aglow

Keep the merry going
All the way to Epiphany
Uplifting all our spirits
It’s pure magic to me

Winter Break

Well it’s winter break and I’ve got so much free time
Got it to myself and I know how to make it mine
Hangin’ with my friends like a never-ending weekend
Playing Nintendo and eating all the candy I can find

So this time is my own, and I’m finally left alone
It’s the closest a kid can get to feeling free
And I’m charging along, and I know it can’t last long
I’ll go back to school, but for now this time is for me

Well it’s winter break and I’ve got no homework to do
gotta sleep in late ‘cause I’m staying up ‘till after two
Waging snowball wars, won’t have to do any chores
I’ll do what I want ’till til this whole vacation is through

And I know nothing great ever stays
So I’m tryin’ not to count down the days

Midwinter’s Nap

Warm hug of the fireplace
Cinnamon, nutmeg embrace
Ice crystals in the afternoon light
Half of a day, and halfway to night

Midwinter’s nap, midwinter’s nap
Shadows like sidewalks ‘cause the sun is so low
Midwinter’s nap, midwinter’s nap
The day is dozing and I’ve got nowhere to go

Stockings and polar bears
Aurora and solar flares
Yuletide tunes, heat pump A.S.M.R.
Drawing me deep, a Christmas star

Wake up past sunset again
Trading the “now” with the “then”
Hibernate once and you’re well on your way
Solstice of mind and you’re melting today

Creepy Santa Doll

Well I know I’ve got a bad reputation
And I’m stalking through your imagination
But I’m really not so bad, in fact I’m feeling quite sad
Didn’t mean to cause you so much consternation
I’m a creepy, crawly Santa doll, can’t help the way that I look
Sorry if my scowl and my scraggly beard have both got you shook
All I want to do is snuggle you, all warm in your bed
While softly humming Christmas songs right next to your head

I’m not so creepy, I’m not so creepy
I’m not so creepy after all, after all
Though you see me, as dark and freaky
I’m not so creepy after all, after all
Not so creepy after all

So I’m sorry if I pop up behind you
I get so stressed when I know I can’t find you
I hate to be locked away until it’s almost Christmas Day
I just thought that I would kindly remind you
I’m a creepy crawly Santa doll, we’ll be together for all time
Staring unmovingly, relentlessly was never a crime
I’m so sorry if I put you off with my unwavering gaze
I’m just trying hard to make the most of our limited days

Not like Père Fouettard, or Knecht Ruprecht
Those offputting characters have got it all wrong
And I’m not like that demonic Krampus dude
I hear he’s so bad that he’s got his own song

My Favorite Xmas

Well it’s finally Christmas time, and you know I’m feelin’ fine
I haven’t had any eggnog, but the Christmas spirit shines
So let’s decorate the tree, and sing a holiday melody
It’s time for celebration and we’re gonna make some festive memories

Break out the ha-ha-ha-ha holly
‘Cause I’m feelin’, feelin’ jolly
And no one does Christmas quite the way that we do
I gotta feeling that this December
Will be ours to remember
And my favorite Christmas is any one I spend with you

Now let’s bake some Christmas treats, we’ve got so much food to eat
Let’s spike the punchbowl ‘till we’re barely on our feet
And we’re breaking out the games and we’re stoking up the flames
And diving into presents, going ‘round until no unwrapped gift remains

A Gift to Myself

Yeah, I’ve made some mistakes
Depressed and let down, while my bleeding heart aches
I don’t need three ghosts to make me make amends
I’m hoping I can do it, before the year ends

And I’m fixin’ my shit for Christmas
I’m gonna find out just where the hell I went wrong
I’ll make a new plan by New Year’s
I’ll figure this out, if it takes all year long

Don’t need you to forgive
I’m just trying out some new ways to live
So please bear with me, I might need a few tries
‘Cuz I wanna do more than just apologize

Now is my chance
To find out why
There’s no better time
To give it a try
Stash the regret, but no
need to forget
‘Cuz I’m not beat just yet