♫ It’s the Most Othering Time of the Year ♫

Despite the vehement efforts of many atheists, some of whom I otherwise like, I’m still not fully on board with the atheist Christmas thing. Not only did I not grow up with it, I was shamed for telling the truth about one of its symbols. All the “secular Christmas”-pushing done by many atheists reeks of respectability politics and centers mainstream American culture in a way that makes me really uncomfortable.

It ends up kind of sounding very Mr. Garrison-esque, sometimes.

However, as I said back when I was a babby Skepchick, I personally consider myself a Christmas tourist. Christmas and all its surrounding traditions are exotic and sometimes interesting to me.

So how does an othered Christmas tourist enjoy Christmas music, something that even the Christmas-invested can hate? A hearty dose of irreverence and fun.

Short Nickolodeon Promo – Jingle Bells, Bollywood Style

Hoy, jingalll! There’s a Santa I’d be happy to lie to little kids about (joke).

South Park – Christmas Time in Hell

The entire episode and album that this is from is irreverent in the fun (and yes, occasionally problematic) way that South Park used to be as a whole. This is my favorite song because it’s oddly joyful, plus South Park’s version of the Satan character is compelling to me.

The Night Santa Went Crazy by Weird Al

As a lifelong sworn Weird Al fan, I of course acquired the extra gory version. As it turns out, this song is in the grand tradition of gory carols — who knew?

The Nightmare Before Christmas – What’s This?

As a kid, I wasn’t allowed to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas when it came out. Ten years later, the film was re-released in 3D, and I was in love. Recently, people have been talking about the movie as an excellent way to teach people about the pitfalls of cultural appropriation, and I think it works.

A Bonus Easter Egg

Because adorable.

For more serious heathen-friendly Christmas music, I recommend Greta’s list. And a very merry happy to you!