Yes, I HAVE been listening to Christmas music for the past couple of months. (However, in deference to those around me, I’ve worn my headphones when cranking the sounds of the holidays just in case they aren’t as much of a fan of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” as I am.)

I freely admit that I am a Christmas music junkie and have been known to play it in the spring, fall, summer ... and yes, up to and during the holiday season. I pretty much like all Christmas songs — well, most anyway.

What’s not to like? You have a focus on the positive, giving, and the beauty of the season. You a focus on Christ, and all that he stands for. You have songs that are light-hearted and quirky, that make you laugh. 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. 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.

My favorite song is probably “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby. And, accoring to the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers, I’m not alone — the song is ranked as the fifth-most played ASCAP Christmas song (as well as the favorite song on many other lists scattered across the Internet).

According to the ASCAP website, its top 25 Christmas songs are:

“The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”, Nat “King” Cole; “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, The Pretenders; “Winter Wonderland”, Eurythmics; “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, Bruce Springsteen; “White Christmas”, Bing Crosby; “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”, Andy Williams;

“Jingle Bell Rock”, Bobby Helms; “Little Drummer Boy”, The Harry Simeone Chorale & Orchestra; “Sleigh Ride”, The Ronettes; “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”, Gene Autry; “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”, Andy Williams; “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, Vanessa Williams; “Silver Bells”, Kenny G;

“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”, Brenda Lee; “Feliz Navidad”, José Feliciano; “Blue Christmas”, Elvis Presley; “Frosty The Snowman”, The Ronettes; “A Holly Jolly Christmas”, Burl Ives; “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”, Johnny Mathis; “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, John Mellencamp;

“Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)”, Elvis Presley; “Carol of the Bells”, John Tesh and the Christmas Symphony Orchestra; “Do They Know It’s Christmas? (Feed the World)”, Band Aid; “(There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays”, The Carpenters; and “Santa Baby”, Madonna.

How’s this for an idea: For every song you love in the above list, contribute a $1 to the Sandpoint Lions Toys for Tots program. (Those who aren’t fans of Christmas music can donate $2 for every song they don’t like.)

Today's generous donations total $3,000 and come from: Barbara and Norwood Robb, $1,000; Kenneth and Dralene Charbonneau, $100; Brian and Kathryn Powell, $100; Dave's Truck Equipment Repair, $100; Ann Kritzeck, $200; Richard and Marcia Neher, $500; and Richard and Donna Hutter, $1,000.

To date, the annual Christmas drive has raised $7,048.

The goal for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

Sign-up applications are available at the Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den at 609 S. Ella Avenue right by the caboose in Lakeview Park. They can also be downloaded at bit.ly/3x7md4o.

Registration started Nov. 1 and ends on Dec. 17. Those filling out the application are reminded to be sure to fill out both pages and return your application promptly.

As last year, the application form includes information for parents to detail a wish list for each of their children as well as their favorite color and TV show or movie. This allows the Lions to fulfill as many wishes as they can.

Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; and at the Ponderay and Sandpoint Starbucks.

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