Community Corner

Holiday Music For the Whole Family To Enjoy

A Spotify mixtape made for reveling 'round the tree.


Memories are a funny thing.

I have a very distinct image from my childhood of staring at a cartoon donkey wearing a Santa Claus hat and singing a holiday song. But, for whatever reason, there was a 20-year gap during which I was unable to remember the name: "Dominick the Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey)" by Lou Monte, an Italian-American crooner with a flair for novelty songs who also famously sang "Bella Notte" featured in Disney's Lady and the Tramp.

Though I rediscovered the song a few years back, until very recently it escaped my ear that the lyrics of "Dominick the Donkey" reference our borough:

Find out what's happening in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jingle Bells around his feet, presents on the sled. 
Hey look at the mayor's derby, on top of Dominick's head. 
A pair of shoes for Louis and a dress for Josephine, 
The label on the inside says they're made in Brooklyn.

It's a quirky tune—complete with "hee haws"—and has become an unlikely go-to for putting me in a festive spirit.

Find out what's happening in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Other favorites, such as Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses, are more modern but equally as mood elevating.

Those three and others, ranging from "Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)" by Bing Crosby to indie-rocker Sufjan Stephens' cover of "The Little Drummer Boy" to RUN-DMC's "Christmas in Hollis," are included in Patch's Christmastime playlist I <3 The Holidays Mix on Spotify.

Put it on as you wrap or unwrap your presents this week and it's sure to inspire a few Christmas sing-a-longs—perhaps even a few spontaneous "hee haws."

Happy Holidays!


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill