SANDPOINT — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go ...

Hmm, I think there’s a Christmas song that starts out like that. And OK, I admit it: I’m 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 have a focus on Christ and all that He stands for. You have songs that are lighthearted 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, according to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, I’m not alone — the song is ranked among the most played Christmas songs (as well as a favorite on many other lists scattered across the internet).

(I also have a fondness for “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” but that is another story altogether.)

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 on the above list, contribute $1 to the Sandpoint Lions Toys for Tots program.

To date, the campaign has raised $4,800 toward its $75,000 goal to provide Christmas presents to those in need in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

If you know someone who needs help, make sure they sign up so Christmas is a happy holiday for everyone in the community. The deadline this year is Dec. 12 to sign up and Dec. 13 to pick up toys.

Each year, the Lions team up with local businesses and residents through Toys for Tots to ensure everyone has a merry Christmas.

Funds raised go toward purchasing new toys for area children — or gift cards for older youth — who live in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

Every Christmas, the Lions help almost 1,000 area children, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in between.

This year’s goal is $75,000 to ensure all area youth receive a present. Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864, or dropped into any coin jar around town. Donations should include a note that it is for Toys for Tots and, if you wish to remain anonymous, please mention that in your note.

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.

Each day during the drive, donors’ names will be published along with the amount of their donations. A running total will be included to help the community know where the Toys for Tots campaign stands.

If you can, please consider donating. Every penny, every dollar adds up, and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign. Additional donations help the Lions buy ahead and make the most of the community’s generous support.

In Sandpoint, toys and donations can be dropped off at the Bonner County Daily Bee, Mr. Sub, Columbia Bank, Connie’s Cafe, Serv-A-Burger, Mountain West Bank, Pivo Peaks Alehouse, Sandpoint Family Medicine and Urgent Care, and the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

In Sagle, toys and donations can be dropped off at Buckin’ Beans and Encoder Products (in the front lobby, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

In Ponderay, toys and donations can be dropped off at Alpenglow Salon, Walmart, North 40, Columbia Bank, Arnie’s, Better Together Animal Shelter, Community Resource EnVision Center, Litehouse, Elite Tire, Vinnie Todd’s Barbershop, Hoot Owl, Papa Murphy’s and Mountain West Bank.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118, [email protected] or bit.ly/SandpointLions