There was a time when the clearing of the Thanksgiving table signaled the beginning of the mad dash to Christmas.

That mad dash now occurs right after the last round of fireworks graces the sky on the fourth of July, but the sentiment is the same. It must begin to look and feel like Christmas – NOW.

The decorations come out of deep storage, old strands of lights get replaced by new ones, and the air is filled with Christmas musical favorites from years gone by.

I have a love-hate relationship with Christmas music. I loved it growing up when the Columbia Record Club would send their holiday offerings directly to our home. Dean Martin, Andy Williams, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir were always welcome on our console stereo.

My dad would also contribute the latest album produced by the Singer sewing machine folks, a compilation of the best holiday music from various artists. I still have a couple of them.

There wasn’t a clunker in the bunch. I loved the combination of lush holiday strings, top vocalists, and the smell of fresh baked Christmas cookies. That said Christmas to me.

I find it unusual that the best Christmas music is still the vintage stuff; “White Christmas,” the Bing Crosby version only; “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams; and Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song.” They never go out of style though the singers are long gone.

I’m not very fond of the newer music, though there are exceptions.

Longtime friend and music educator Kay Peeler tells me her students traditionally favored “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey; “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber; and “Carol of the Bells,” “White Winter Hymnal” and “Mary Did You Know” by the Pentatonix. She raves about a recent Christmas release by Celtic Women.

My daughter asked me to sample Zooey Deschanel’s holiday CD a few years ago. I loved her laid-back style, though some of the selections were almost too laid back, as though she recorded them while drifting off to sleep. Still, her voice is appealing. It’s Zooey who duets with Will Ferrell in the movie “Elf.”

Then, there are novelty songs like “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” that will never crack my top one hundred. The song was released in time for the 1980 holidays – yes, it’s now a 36 year old classic – and was performed by a duo named Elmo and Patsy.

Elmo sounded like he’d had a bit too much egg nog during the recording session, but if you love this ditty, you probably love Elmo’s voice and the way he weaves the tale of his grandma’s demise.

No one can deliver lyrics like “She had hoof-prints on her forehead and incriminating Claus marks on her back” like Elmo. In fact, no one should deliver them but Elmo. I’m not sure what Patsy does in the song. Maybe she delivers the “Murray Christmas” at the end.

My favorite Christmas music by far is the music made by local groups, especially roving bands of neighborhood carolers. While it may lack the polished recording studio sound, music made by your family and friends has a familiarity and authenticity you can’t buy online. It’s the music that will stay in your heart the longest.

Speaking of which, do people still go Christmas caroling?

I’m ashamed to say I haven’t done it in years, but in my youth, my extended family was well known for spreading musical Christmas cheer through the streets of our small town in the wee hours of Christmas morning. It wasn’t uncommon to hear “Deck the Halls” or “Silent Night” outside your bedroom window at 2 a.m. in four-part harmony.

There was no sleeping in heavenly peace in our town. But not once were the police summoned. Our neighbors both anticipated and relished it.

I’m not so sure we’d get away with it today though.

Kent Bernhardt lives in Salisbury.