Counting down in semi-order…

Christmas Wrapping, The Waitresses

No, this is not the band, and not necessarily the best video, but it’s the only one they had. It’s an anti-Christmas song that still manages to make you feel good.

Merry Christmas Everybody, Slade

My God, how can you not love the Brits? I dare you not to adore this song instantly. But even if you aren’t crazy about the song (impossible!) you have to watch the video. Seriously, between the crazy guy with the dutch boy hair and the drummer at the end pretending to drum with his candy cane drumsticks, it’s a must-see 70’s trainwreck.

So This is Christmas, John Lennon

I’ve never been big fan of John Lennon, and especially not of Yoko Ono. But, this song is wonderful.

Fairytale of New York, The Pogues

It’s a little rough on the edges, but look past some of the singing. The songwriting is fantastic, but it certainly isn’t your mother’s version of a Christmas song. The Pogues should have gotten some type of award for a Christmas song with the word “maggot” in it.

2000 Miles, The Pretenders

A song that is often forgotten and overlooked. Chrissie Hynde has never sounded better.

Holly Jolly Christmas, Burl Ives

Again, another classic favorite. I like it even better than Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Blasphemy, I know!

Little Drummer Boy, Bing Crosby and David Bowie

I hope whoever dreamed up this pairing was given a hefty raise.

(more…)

They really DO grow up fast, and it looks like little Alec Greven, 9, is growing up not only fast but quickly as well.

Oh, snap!

Alec, you see, has written a book soon to be available in stores everywhere: How to Talk to Girls. What started as a project for his school bookfair turned into an appearance on Ellen and a three book deal with HarperCollins (coming soon: How to Talk to Moms and How to Talk to Dads).

The fourth-grader from Castle Rock, Colo., advises Lothario wannabes to stop showing off, go easy on the compliments to avoid looking desperate – and be wary of “pretty girls.”

“It is easy to spot pretty girls because they have big earrings, fancy dresses and all the jewelry,” he writes in Chapter Three.

“Pretty girls are like cars that need a lot of oil.”

He advises, “The best choice for most boys is a regular girl.

Well, good luck finding one of those with your new life, Alec. You see, the poor lad’s currently in New York on a book tour and anyone who knows what happened to that sweet little Truman Capote knows no good can come of this.