Some songs just transcend the novelty of the holiday and this song is one of them. Killer tune that takes us all back and continues to kick ass each year.
One of the greatest Christmas songs ever written, I always listen to this one around Christmastime. It just never gets old. RIP Patty, we all miss you. ❤
Easily one of my favorite Christmas songs, and when it comes to Christmas songs, I'm pretty much a classics only guy. But this one.... A masterpiece!!!
I was working in a mall at Chess King in the mid 80's when this would be played around Christmas....good song, lyrics, great bass line and hook...instantly takes me back to simpler times...
Mr Butler, that song is in EVERY Christmas mix I have ever made since it Aired. THANKS for hitting the curve ball out of the park! Love the back stories. Peace and God Bless
I love it Chris. This song brings the joy of life into Christmas. Everybody responds to joy, in some form or another. This is one of those forms. It is a definite hit with me, and I know this song will be a classic for sure. I see it emerging already.
A real classic. One of my favorites. Reminds me of when I lived in LA in my early 20's when that song came out. I just moved there from back East. Great memories of New Wave station KROQ that used to play it.
"Christmas Wrapping" is my all time favorite Christmas song--I played it on air at every chance I got (often "bending" format to do so). Thanks for a great song!
I love this song and it always puts me in a good mood even when it’s not Christmas time,I remember hearing it back in the 80’s and it’s always stayed with me❤️
I played this for my first graders who didn't know it at all and instantly LOVED it and kept pestering me to play it so they could sing along (sort of)
Like others here, one of my favorite Xmas songs. Cute story, great music and the earnest(if not traditionally musical) voice of Patty Donahue. Just perfect. It’s amazing how often the “throwaway” song that the artist considers filler or junk is the one that resonates with people. Maybe because the performers are not trying too hard, not trying to make this their #1 song? Whatever the case, this song never fails to make me smile, and I can’t ever play it just once.
Thank you for a wonderful song, never look a gift horse in the mouth, sometimes the things you do will even surprise the originator, and what did the world get. one of the most endearing songs of the season. Merry Christmas.
I just learned of Christmas Wrapping today and it affected me me in the way Chris spoke, thank you Chris. I am not a good Christmas person however this song helped today.
Christmas Wrapping is a fun song I look forward to hearing every year. For those people who backed away from him in line while he was enjoying it, I have compassion for them. They obviously have no inner child, no Christmas spirit. I'm 48 and I'm a kid again every Christmas. I thank my mother for instilling in me the pure joy and wonder I feel for Christmastime & Christmas. Merry Christmas, all. God Bless Us. Everyone. 🎄❤🎄❤🎄
I kind of expected that this was a song they never expected to be popular - but it turned out to be probably their most remembered song ever - I think we all look forward to it every year. I remember when it came out in 81 - I was in college & the Waitresses led by patty Donahue were a sort of countercultural almost punkish kind of band out of Akron OH with a bit of attitude based on Patty's personality. To me this is where their sound really comes together - the vocals, the base line, and the story kind of always appealed to me even though it is written from the female point of view of this girl trying all year to meet this guy & then it comes together at the very end - such a sweet & innocent story with a happy ending. Great post - thanks NME
This isn’t necessarily surprising. As fresh as this song still sounds, it certainly isn’t new. Your mother would only have been in her early thirties when this first came out…
Have loved this song ever since I heard it on KROQ back in the day! I've also heard that somebody in the band thought it would make a great XMAS half hour special. I totally agree!
I think this is my favourite Christmas song because it’s upbeat and Christmassy, has a killer bassline but it’s not overly cheesy and annoying like most of the popular Christmas songs are.
Me and my wife are about to have our first kid in September. I plan on making a Christmas playlist for my daughter to play every year and this is going to be on it.
The best new Christmas song around. I love the girl's story in the song. She's so plucky, so self-assured and not a trace of self-pity. What a great spirit. And then there is the bass line: one of the best ever recorded. I agree with those who say, it's not Christmas until we hear this song. God Save The Waitresses!
My first year to be in Akron and that song came out . Had just met my wife. Its the perfect Xmas song for me . It hits home each year when I hear it and really makes the season for me. Its also special that I later worked with Frank Reynolds a member of the Numbers Band that Butler had played in prior to the Waitresses gig.
It's lovely that despite a fairly inauspicious (not to say cynical...) beginning, even the reluctant creator of this modern classic finds joy in it. It could easily have become something that haunted him forever more! I think it's a piece of underrated brilliance, slightly accidental as all the best things are.
One of the great Christmas songs all time!,! My first exposure to it was way back WBAB Long Island used to always play it during a 24 hour commercial free Christmas. Really wonderful stuff. How tragic that we lost Patty so young. RIP!!!!!
It's a story, it's a song, it has Sax, it has Patty, it has Merry Xmas repeated, it has a love connection, it has ''The World's Smallest Turkey etc It is so tongue in cheek refreshingly different to the normal Xmas songs..
The greatest ever Xmas song. Bar none. I left a comment on their rather modest forum back in 2003 to say what a beautiful song - 6 months later Chris emailed me to say thanks, and told me a bit about the making of the record. We kept in touch on FB for a few years after that.
There are so many covers of this classic Christmas song. I had already liked The Waitresses music. My only regret was not seeing the band live. RIP Patty Donahue.
Ha, I've been playing Bass for over 45 years and playing this would be challenging for me to play, to say the least. What she created Bass wise for this track is truly some next level contrasting shit....kinda like Weather Report meets the I dream of Jeanie theme song! Haha 🤣
And where would XTC be without 'Dear God'...? 'Christmas Wrapping' is prefect little holiday present of hope for ever lonely man & woman over the Christmas season!
I bought that comp l.p. that year for everyone else BUT Waitresses. Had their l.p. and loved Boys & No Guilt. 42 years later that song will be everywhere for the next 3 weeks. His only regret was "Most of 81' and not 'Most of last year' which would have made it timeless.
Nice shout out to Rochester, NY! 90.5 WBER always plays this song, it's one of my favorites..and Rochester is a fun city if you ever get a chance to go people!😄
It's funny how some things turn out. You put together something quickly to get the boss off your back and the result is one of the legendary songs of all time.
Not necessarily may all-time favorite, but then again even though this was out the year I graduated high school and started in college I have favorites dating several decades, The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping" is a must this time of year on my list if only because it is so GREAT among many others.
..,never knew the story about the record label assignment, oh, I know what was happening... that Christmas magic brought this tale to a very happy ending ;)
Wow, how awesome that this song has the same effect and meaning for the author that is does for me. When Chris talked about how it made him feel when it came on, it got a little dusty in here. Then I noticed that it must've been getting a little dusty wherever Chris was, too.
I first heard this song around Christmas of 81 while at Pinewood Studios in London. A girl working in the make up department on the movie KRULL was listening to it as she was sculpting parts of the Beast.
This song is the true meaning of Christmas. It's all about magic. Magic is real. It happens in Santa Clause and it happens when you go to the A & P because you forgot cranberry sauce.
![Ice On My Teeth - ATEEZ エイティーズ 에이티즈 [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 241115](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/c-n92OgbbwA/mqdefault.jpg)
God bless Chris Butler, and the late Patty Donahue whose deadpan, jaded yet somehow innocent vocal always charms the hell out of me.
RIP Patty..
You hit the nail on the head with her voice description. I would add sexy too!
Holy crap, "deadpan, jaded yet somehow innocent vocal" - nailed it!
Thank you. Now I gotta hear the song again, right this minute.
@@HelloBrotherBob
This is such an underrated gem. One of my favorite Chritmas songs. Thanks for writing this "Toss away"
I love the song! It makes me happy. RIP Patricia Donahue
'Christmas Wrapping' is the 'Smoke on the Water' of Christmas songs - instantly recognisable, never gets tired.
Way better than Smoke on the Water
TL2354 I am going to have to agree with you there!!!!
My all time favorite Christmas song since 1982.. nuff said.
Except that "Smoke on the Water", which came out in '73, was already tired by '74.
@@fretbuzz59 ...except that "Smoke on the Water" is still played in 2022 by practically anyone who picks up a guitar in a Sam Ash or Guitar Center.
Without doubt, the best ever Christmas song ever.
Keith, I think you're 100% right.😊👍
#facts
One of my favorite basslines of all time!
ifutureman same!
Same here, so fun to play! I like how she plays jingle bells in the fadeout
It's really good.
Yes !
Amazing
"BAH HUMBUG! BUT THATS TOO STRONG, cause it is my favorite HOLIDAY!!"... My favorite holiday song!
Some songs just transcend the novelty of the holiday and this song is one of them. Killer tune that takes us all back and continues to kick ass each year.
Well said. 😊👍
The best modern holiday song ever! Brings Christmas Magic to me every year.
One of the greatest Christmas songs ever written, I always listen to this one around Christmastime. It just never gets old. RIP Patty, we all miss you. ❤
That Bassline wasn't just whipped up out of nowhere, she put a tremendous amount into creating that one. 👍
One of the best original Christmas songs out there.
For me, the Christmas season doesn't official start until I hear this song on the radio....
Agree!!! But I haven’t heard it yet this year!!
Ditto! It’s why I’m here right now 🎄💕
And Gregg Lake I believe in Father Christmas
Usually in October uuugghhhh
I wrap my Christmas gifts every year to this song.
Easily one of my favorite Christmas songs, and when it comes to Christmas songs, I'm pretty much a classics only guy. But this one.... A masterpiece!!!
One of my favourite Christmas songs.
One of the best "feel good" Christmas songs ever made...and there are many.
Too bad we do not have Patty Donahue around to help us celebrate this forgotten band. I still love this song.
Certainly not forgotten.
Ditto! The Waitresses have always been my favorite! So glad this song is still around… It’s just not Christmas without it.
Double thumbs up!
in 1982 i was 11. WPST Trenton NJ played the shit out of this every year. one of the best holiday tunes ever.
I was working in a mall at Chess King in the mid 80's when this would be played around Christmas....good song, lyrics, great bass line and hook...instantly takes me back to simpler times...
working at Chess King? what a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooser
Ping Pong Dude...it was THE place to go to get your Z.Cavariccis
larrytate555
Chess King 😊
Chess King!!
Mr Butler, that song is in EVERY Christmas mix I have ever made since it Aired. THANKS for hitting the curve ball out of the park! Love the back stories. Peace and God Bless
1st time hearing the song. I'm 60 where have I been? Bakersfield 2022. Serendipity rules thanks Chris!
Still sounds as fresh today as the first time I heard it. It’s wild that the corporate boss man inspired something so beautiful and lasting.
It has never sounded fresh, just raw. It is definitely of its time. That’s part of its beauty.
Chris ! And the former members of "The Waitresss ! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR CREATING A MASTERPIECE ! MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
I love it Chris. This song brings the joy of life into Christmas. Everybody responds to joy, in some form or another. This is one of those forms. It is a definite hit with me, and I know this song will be a classic for sure. I see it emerging already.
100% my favorite Christmas song
Absolutely love it
Can’t get it out of my head
A real classic. One of my favorites. Reminds me of when I lived in LA in my early 20's when that song came out. I just moved there from back East. Great memories of New Wave station KROQ that used to play it.
"Christmas Wrapping" is my all time favorite Christmas song--I played it on air at every chance I got (often "bending" format to do so). Thanks for a great song!
This song found me when I needed something to keep me from turning into a Grinch! ---- It's my go-to Christmas song!!! Instant happiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this song and it always puts me in a good mood even when it’s not Christmas time,I remember hearing it back in the 80’s and it’s always stayed with me❤️
Can't get it out of my head. I love this song. I think I heard it first on WLIR in NY. Thanks for the back story Chris.
Great song, great band, thank you!
RIP Patty Donahue!!
I played this for my first graders who didn't know it at all and instantly LOVED it and kept pestering me to play it so they could sing along (sort of)
Like others here, one of my favorite Xmas songs. Cute story, great music and the earnest(if not traditionally musical) voice of Patty Donahue. Just perfect.
It’s amazing how often the “throwaway” song that the artist considers filler or junk is the one that resonates with people. Maybe because the performers are not trying too hard, not trying to make this their #1 song? Whatever the case, this song never fails to make me smile, and I can’t ever play it just once.
Perhaps the best Christmas song ever...so good!
One of the best Christmas songs of all time. Right up there with the originals. Love this story!
Sometimes when you do things with little thought, the result is brilliant. This song is pure and simply magical.
What an awesome song
Thank you for a wonderful song, never look a gift horse in the mouth, sometimes the things you do will even surprise the originator, and what did the world get. one of the most endearing songs of the season. Merry Christmas.
I have to sing every word of this song every time. I think people think I'm crazy too. Great story behind what is my favorite holiday tune.
It's not officially Christmas untill I play this.....or Christmas Day by Squeeze.
And I have to sing that...Ilike ya'and I want cha'
I just learned of Christmas Wrapping today and it affected me me in the way Chris spoke, thank you Chris. I am not a good Christmas person however this song helped today.
Christmas Wrapping is a fun song I look forward to hearing every year.
For those people who backed away from him in line while he was enjoying it, I have compassion for them. They obviously have no inner child, no Christmas spirit.
I'm 48 and I'm a kid again every Christmas.
I thank my mother for instilling in me the pure joy and wonder I feel for Christmastime & Christmas.
Merry Christmas, all.
God Bless Us.
Everyone.
🎄❤🎄❤🎄
I just discovered this song Last year around this time and it's definitely written about me or my former self and it's my new old favorite
I kind of expected that this was a song they never expected to be popular - but it turned out to be probably their most remembered song ever - I think we all look forward to it every year. I remember when it came out in 81 - I was in college & the Waitresses led by patty Donahue were a sort of countercultural almost punkish kind of band out of Akron OH with a bit of attitude based on Patty's personality. To me this is where their sound really comes together - the vocals, the base line, and the story kind of always appealed to me even though it is written from the female point of view of this girl trying all year to meet this guy & then it comes together at the very end - such a sweet & innocent story with a happy ending. Great post - thanks NME
Love hearing so peppy full of joy . even my 71 year old mother likes it
This isn’t necessarily surprising. As fresh as this song still sounds, it certainly isn’t new. Your mother would only have been in her early thirties when this first came out…
Square Pegs used this tune and it is always my go to tune for Christmas.
Never get tired of this song anytime of the year and the video is great.
One of my all time favorite Christmas songs and it was great to hear the story behind the song.
Have loved this song ever since I heard it on KROQ back in the day!
I've also heard that somebody in the band thought it would make a great XMAS half hour special. I totally agree!
One of my favorite Christmas songs. My kids enjoy it too. Which is a good thing, because I play it repeatedly during the holiday season.
I think this is my favourite Christmas song because it’s upbeat and Christmassy, has a killer bassline but it’s not overly cheesy and annoying like most of the popular Christmas songs are.
My favourite Xmas song, everyone I know seems to hate it. I love singing along to it and almost doesn't feel like Xmas without hearing it. 💕
Me and my wife are about to have our first kid in September. I plan on making a Christmas playlist for my daughter to play every year and this is going to be on it.
The best new Christmas song around. I love the girl's story in the song. She's so plucky, so self-assured and not a trace of self-pity. What a great spirit. And then there is the bass line: one of the best ever recorded. I agree with those who say, it's not Christmas until we hear this song. God Save The Waitresses!
Best Christmas song ever!
My first year to be in Akron and that song came out . Had just met my wife. Its the perfect Xmas song for me . It hits home each year when I hear it and really makes the season for me. Its also special that I later worked with Frank Reynolds a member of the Numbers Band that Butler had played in prior to the Waitresses gig.
This song makes my Christmas, thanks for sharing the story behind it!
It's lovely that despite a fairly inauspicious (not to say cynical...) beginning, even the reluctant creator of this modern classic finds joy in it. It could easily have become something that haunted him forever more! I think it's a piece of underrated brilliance, slightly accidental as all the best things are.
One of the great Christmas songs all time!,! My first exposure to it was way back WBAB Long Island used to always play it during a 24 hour commercial free Christmas. Really wonderful stuff. How tragic that we lost Patty so young. RIP!!!!!
It's a story, it's a song, it has Sax, it has Patty, it has Merry Xmas repeated, it has a love connection, it has ''The World's Smallest Turkey etc It is so tongue in cheek refreshingly different to the normal Xmas songs..
My favorite Xmas Song! Musical Gold!
The greatest ever Xmas song. Bar none. I left a comment on their rather modest forum back in 2003 to say what a beautiful song - 6 months later Chris emailed me to say thanks, and told me a bit about the making of the record. We kept in touch on FB for a few years after that.
My favorite Christmas song!
There are so many covers of this classic Christmas song. I had already liked The Waitresses music. My only regret was not seeing the band live. RIP Patty Donahue.
Best bass guitar line ever! If you are learning bass and can nail this one, then you can smile and join a band with pride!
Ha, I've been playing Bass for over 45 years and playing this would be challenging for me to play, to say the least. What she created Bass wise for this track is truly some next level contrasting shit....kinda like Weather Report meets the I dream of Jeanie theme song! Haha 🤣
Great tune..... great story
Loved this interview!
Love the song but hate how it never gets mentioned on the TV Xmas best songs due to no promo video for it.
Agree but then I've always loved songs not in the mainstream.
ruclips.net/video/nud2TQNahaU/видео.html
No promo vid?
ruclips.net/video/nud2TQNahaU/видео.html
@@fsinjin60 yeah,seems to be made from other clips of the band,being used on UK TV this year (22) for first time
Better than nothing
Oh heavens, yep, me too. It isn't really Christmas until I hear that song.
And where would XTC be without 'Dear God'...? 'Christmas Wrapping' is prefect little holiday present of hope for ever lonely man & woman over the Christmas season!
I discovered this song a couple of days in a Canadian grocery store. They were playing it. It's 2019.
I bought that comp l.p. that year for everyone else BUT Waitresses. Had their l.p. and loved Boys & No Guilt.
42 years later that song will be everywhere for the next 3 weeks.
His only regret was "Most of 81' and not 'Most of last year' which would have made it timeless.
Nice shout out to Rochester, NY! 90.5 WBER always plays this song, it's one of my favorites..and Rochester is a fun city if you ever get a chance to go people!😄
It's funny how some things turn out. You put together something quickly to get the boss off your back and the result is one of the legendary songs of all time.
Great fucking song. My favourite XMAS tune. That and the Cocteau Twins Frosty the Snowman..But yeah, this wins.
Not to mention the bassline is in-fucking-credible.
Not necessarily may all-time favorite, but then again even though this was out the year I graduated high school and started in college I have favorites dating several decades, The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping" is a must this time of year on my list if only because it is so GREAT among many others.
Wonderful song!
Great song
..,never knew the story about the record label assignment, oh, I know what was happening... that Christmas magic brought this tale to a very happy ending ;)
My absolute CHRISTMAS SONG GO TO!
If he'd been anywhere in the UK other than London, they would probably have joined him singing along to it...
Love the song
This song is a RETAIL christmas staple
The song has a very optimistic sound to it, it’s timeless
Wow, how awesome that this song has the same effect and meaning for the author that is does for me. When Chris talked about how it made him feel when it came on, it got a little dusty in here. Then I noticed that it must've been getting a little dusty wherever Chris was, too.
Very underated song. Mind the supermarkets where I shop plays it :)
I first heard this song around Christmas of 81 while at Pinewood Studios in London. A girl working in the make up department on the movie KRULL was listening to it as she was sculpting parts of the Beast.
One of my favourite Christmas tunes because it's fun n fucky not bland, depressing or cheesy.
Exactly!
Mike Lykan. Fucky????lol
Story behind a Christmas classic
ROCHESTER, NY ???!!! Where I'm at. My Home Town :)
The Clarences love & support The Waitresses!
Very catchy tune.
my spirits would be lifted too if I was getting paid anytime I heard it
Great song....
It is the ONLY Christmas song/tune I like.
Sweet guy
Heard the song yesterday in the dentist office, while getting a root canal. My feet were tapping on the chair.
THE best Xmas song of all time, John and Yoko a close 2nd.
Was about to like until you mentioned Yoko.
Yea is ah great song
I haven’t heard it this year on the radio! WTF?!?!? (2020)
This song is the true meaning of Christmas. It's all about magic. Magic is real. It happens in Santa Clause and it happens when you go to the A & P because you forgot cranberry sauce.