If I’m going to have a Christmas song stuck in my head, I’d prefer Bing Crosby’s version of “White Christmas" instead of "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”.

I don’t have anything against the classic song and make it a point every year to watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” because it's a charming tale that manages to offer the perfect balance between sweetness and snark. (And I admit to being a Christmas junkie and watch a lot of the animated classics — shout out to "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and to many years of having our own "Charlie Brown" tree growing up. I even own “A Christmas Story” — and watch it on loop on Christmas Eve — as well as “It’s a Wonderful Life” but I digress ...)

The TLDR (check with your local teen for the meaning) version: I love Christmas music (but not when it get stuck in my head.) After all what’s not to enjoy? You have a focus on the positive, giving, and the beauty

of the season. You have a focus on Christ, and all that He stands for. You have songs that are light-hearted and quirky that make you laugh — I'm looking at you "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer".

You have serious songs that make you think.

There are songs about white Christmases, blue Christmases and red Santa suits. There are songs about Santa coming to town and Grandmas and reindeer (see above). There are songs about snowmen (Frosty, chief among them, of course), songs about and by chipmunks, and bells ringing merrily.

There are Christmas songs about roasting chestnuts, calls for snow, red-nosed reindeer named Rudolph, and rockin’ around the Christmas tree. There are songs for every taste, by every artist and every genre.

The message found in Christmas music can also be seen in the Sandpoint Lions Club’s annual Toys for Tots drive and how the community pulls together to ensure every youngster in the Lake Pend Oreille School District has a merry Christmas.

Today's donations total $723, bringing the total amount of donations received to date to $3,598 of the $50,000 goal set by the Lions for the annual Christmas campaign.

Generous donations were received from John & Mary Campbell, $100; Janice and Bill Temple, $50; Norma Benda, $100; Kellie Murray, $100; Larue Hiatt, $100; Alan Barber & Heather Hellier, $50; Brian & Laura Berkeley, $100; Samuels 76 Station coin jar, $21; and Arby's coin jar, $102.

The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between. A Christmas dinner for the family is also provided. If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the 2020 Toys for Tots program.

Applications are being accepted — more than 40 have been received already. The forms are available at the Lions Den, 609 S. Ella St., Sandpoint, on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; online at the Sandpoint Lions Facebook page, facebook.com/SandpointLionsClub; or at Bonner Community Food Bank, 1707 Culvers Drive, Sandpoint. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, Dec. 14.

Masks are required to enter the Lions Den building or those dropping them off may also place them into the red box next to the door.

Toys may be dropped off at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint; Farmhouse Restaurant, 477227 U.S. 95, Ponderay; Columbia Bank — Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St.; and Ponderay branch, 300 Kootenai Cutoff Road; Walmart, 476999 U.S. 95, Ponderay; and North 40, 477181 U.S. 95, Ponderay.

There are a host of coin jars around the community where spare change can be donated. In addition, monetary donations may be dropped off at both branches of Columbia Bank and the Bonner County Daily Bee during normal business hours. Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note. If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee. com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.