Dillards Stores are expanding, which is a positive, at least in terms of latching onto their annual CD. It typically goes for $6.00 and benefits Ronald McDonald Houses.

This year, Dillards has gone country: the opener is "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" performed by Steve Wariner. Next up is Lorrie Morgan (with the New World Philharmonic) doing "Sleigh Ride"... nice, but then again, I could just listen to her hum *L*. Suzy Bogguss does a lovely version of "I'll Be Home For Christmas," so nice I think I could listen to either her voice without the instruments, or the instrumental accompaniment alone over and over (but I much prefer them together *L*). Talk about over and over, Diamond Rio's "Christmas Spirit" is one of those newer Christmas song that could become a classic, and repeat is not a bad setting at all. Something lively, rockin', kickin' ? Little Texas' "Here Comes Santa Claus" makes you want to get up and dance ! On one of last year's Target CD's, I called Deana Carter's' performance of "Carol Of The Bells" "the winner." Dillards wisely chose to include it in their collection this year. What else is up ? Randy Travis invites you to "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe" (I love this version!), Shenandoah takes you to a "Winter Wonderland," and Sawyer Brown tells you "Where Christmas Goes." Where it goes on this CD is to Trace Adkins' closer, "The Christmas Song" (you know, "chestnuts roasting...). What a buy !

Happy Holidays is the series offered by True Value Hardware, Coast to Coast and ServiStar, benefiting the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation, and typically selling for $5.99.

Volume 34 is the 1999 offering, which consists mostly of orchestral renditions of familiar songs of the season, The handful of vocals are by names unknown to most of generation X and below *L*
These are NOT generic versions by some studio group - but rather definitive versions by the best orchestras of the last few decades. Like, who? you ask... Morton Gould and the RCA Symphony... the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra... the Philadelphia Orchestra.... Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops... the London Symphony Orchestra... the New Symphony Orchestra of London... the Canadian Brass... James Galway... Perry Como with the Ray Charles Singers... Andre Previn with Orchestra & Harpsichord... the Robert Shaw Chorale... Mario Lanza... and more... there are twenty selections here, you know all of them... so what are you waiting for ??

The Hallmark card store CD might be the one you want to pick up early, since it seems to be the first of these to go. Hallmark has been offering their exclusive Christmas music for 15 years now.

Hallmark's classy offering is "Listen! It's Christmas." Johnny Mathis teams up with CeCe Winans and The London Symphony Orchestra - but, fans of Johnny (or of CeCe), be warned, it's not ALL him (or her) - not even all Johnny and CeCe together.
The opener has the two teamed up for "Happy Holiday," and they join forces - er, voices - again for "O Come All Ye Faithful," but that's the extent of the duets.
The second tune is Johnny alone doing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Wow!
There are three other tunes where you get Johnny and the orchestra without CeCe, "White Christmas," "Silent Night" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen."
CeCe does a jazzy "Deck the Hall," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Away in a Manger," and closes the CD with "Joy to the World."
The Orchestra alone performs "He Is Born," and there is a performance of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by the Bradford Singers.
An excellent CD, though I'd have liked more of Johnny Mathis... of course, Johnny DOES have other Christmas CD's of his own - Merry Christmas, Christmas Music Of Johnny Mathis, Christmas With Johnny Mathis and Christmas Eve
CeCe fans - so does she - His Gift, and with BeBe, First Christmas ...those not familiar with her, she's been heard mostly as half of BeBe & CeCe Winans, a Grammy winner as well as a Dove award winner. CeCe has done several solo albums though... Her own site is at www.cecewinans.com; London Symphony fans - The Nutcracker & Other Orchesral Christmas Music is available from them, and they prformed on last year's Hallmark CD with Natalie Cole.
The Hallmark CD sells for about $6.99, may require a purchase.

The 1998 Sears exclusive CD, Whatever Makes You Merry was not promoted in their Christmas advertising like it was that year, but may still be available in some Sears stores. It includes Dion's rocking "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and Melissa Manchester's jazzy "Christmas Time Is Near," along with some great older tunes: Peggy Lee sings "Happy Holidays," Lena Horne "Jingle All The Way," and the Beach Boys do "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town." When you hear Dean Martin sing "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" you'll remember what a great talent old Dino was. Kenny Rogers does "My Favorite Things" - it could become one of yours too. "I Wish You A Merry Christmas" by Bing Crosby is included, but instead of his classic version of "Silver Bells," Anne Murray's version is included - and she does it well... another performer - who though still with us, unlike Dean Martin - I'd sure like to hear more from. Not enough for you ? Okay, add Ella Fitzgerald's "Frosty The Snowman," B.B. King's "Christmas Celebration" - and on the off chance you don't have it elsewhere, Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song."
Sears had offered this CD for $4.99 with proceeds donated to "Gilda's Club," meeting places for social / emotional support for people living with cancer and their families and friends.

So... as you begin your Christmas shopping each year... stop off at Hallmark, Target, Sears, Dillards and True Value, and you can pick up half a dozen CDs with a great variety of Christmas music for under $40.