Happy Driving to All Designated Drivers with our #FestivePlaylist

Britmums have come up with some fab festive linky challenges lately. I've just shared a picture that captures the essence of Christmas for their  #O2GuruMagicOfXmas linky and this time, they want our festive playlists that will keep us or our Designated Drivers smiling this season while they taxi friends and family around. I'm actually really pleased to help spread the word about Coca Cola's Designated Driver campaign because it's something I feel is really important - they're offering 2 for 1 on Coke and Diet Coke for Designated Drivers over the festive period, which is brilliant news. (Click through on the badge for more information and please please choose yourself a Des for every night out - do not drink and drive, ever, even if you "think you know your limit" - just stop and think about what could happen - would you really want that on your conscience ?)

OK, lecture over, and on to my festive play list !

First up is Bruce Springsteen's version of Santa Claus is Coming To Town because it's absolutely perfect for karaoke-style singing along in the car, even if you've been drinking nothing but Coke all night ! I can't ever listen to it without joining in at some point, so it's great for keeping everyone wide awake and in good spirits, even if you've only been on soft drinks all night. Get ready to sing along : "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better be good, I'm telling you why ... Santa Claus is coming-ing-ing tooooo tooo-oooown" !!

Next up is the song that defined a generation and that generation was mine! - Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? Every single time I listen to this song, I remember seeing those shocking pictures of starving people in Africa for the very first time on TV and the huge wave of solidarity and community spirit that arose to try to make a difference to the world. With all the over-indulgence and over-spending that Christmas often entails, it's good to take a moment to reflect on those less fortunate than ourselves. On a lighter note, it's also the perfect song for an 80's-themed "Name that Singer" game with everyone shouting their answers from the back seat of the car ... and I bet I'd beat the whole lot of you !!

You can't have a festive playlist without at least one proper carol though and Away In A Manger is always my favourite, because it always reminds me of nativity plays at school and children singing along which is what Christmas is all about. Celtic Woman has the perfect clear, pure, angelic voice for singing this ultimate Christmas carol. Although I'm sure the drunken karaoke chorus from the back seat will rather impair the acoustic quality of the vocals !!

Now, if there is ONE song guaranteed to make me feel Christmassy, even in the middle of summer, it's Wizzard's I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day. It's got everything - the silly chorus, the it's Chriiiiiiiiiistmas" to shout along with and the child choir to join in with - you'll be rocking from the back seat of the car and singing along, especially when the Designated Driver growls along with the singer (whose name I can't remember) "OK you lot, take it" !You don't have to be drunk to sing along with this song but it certainly helps (apart from the Designated Driver of course, he can just shake his head and laugh at everyone else joining in from the back seat !).

And just to keep my mum and sister happy, I'll finish off for a song by McFly (put your hands over your ears, they'll be squealing very loudly in a minute when they see this !!). It's not a bad version of Let It Snow actually, I have to admit ! And the only words anyone ever really knows for this song is the chorus so it's hilarious listening to the lyrics people make up, convinced they're singing the right words !

And for all you lovely Designated Drivers who deserve a big hug (or anyone who still isn't convinced you can have a great night out drinking nothing but Coke), here's a final clip to show you that Coke can indeed make you feel lovely and festive ! Awwwww too cute !

Disclosure : This is an entry for the #FestivePlaylist, sponsored by Coca-Cola over at http://www.britmumsblog.com/2012/12/join-the-festiveplaylist-linky-you-could-win-an-ipad-mini/

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

The Britmums #O2GuruMagicOfXmas Linky

The Madhouse Mini-testers have been making Christmas cards !

The Madhouse Family's Christmas Breakfast