I walked to Georgetown for an appointment today. Along the way I observed the following:

1. Many couples walking arm-in-arm
2. Lots of folks window-shopping
3. Christmas-themed window displays
4. People bundled up in hats and scarves

The whole scene had me feeling very seasonal. And so, as a tribute to my Saturday afternoon in Georgetown, I'm kicking off the holiday season early this year with a few tracks off my ALL TIME FAVORITE holiday album - A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.

This is the mightiest of all Christmas albums. It's versatile, unintrusive, and forever classy. Do you know how hard it is to find a lasting Christmas record that refuses to stray into that overdone, tacky territory of Bing Crosby and Johnny Mathis? Now, don't get me wrong. I love me some Johnny Mathis, but there reaches a point each year when you'd rather impale yourself with a Rudolph lawn ornament that spend another second listening to "Winter Wonderland."

"Christmas Time is Here (Instrumental)" - Vince Guaraldi Trio

"Christmas Time is Here (Vocal)" - Vince Guaraldi Trio

"Skating" - Vince Guaraldi Trio 

I always allow this album to be my one exception to the "not before Thanksgiving" rule on playing (and posting) Christmas music.  If you don't own, get to it.

 Buy the tracks.