8 Holiday Carols Featuring Critters Big and Small!

I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS

“Only a hippopotamus will do,” reads this 1953 number, which shuns dolls and Tinkertoys. Performed by then-10-year-old Gayla Peevey, it garnered the girl a free hippo, which she donated to her local Oklahoma City zoo.

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COWS LOVE CHRISTMAS

This cute country tune tells the tale of cowboys on a cattle drive desperate to be home with their families for Christmas. The song also shows that cows can be “udderly” sentimental for the holidays, too!

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RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

It doesn’t quite feel like Christmas if you haven’t heard this golden oldie. Eventually spun off into a television special and a movie, “Rudolph” even teaches a lesson that’s evergreen: being different can be a gift in itself!

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DOMINICK THE ITALIAN CHRISTMAS DONKEY

Reindeer? No thanks! For those treacherous hills of Italy, only Dominick the Donkey will do. This 1960 song – which made a radio comeback in the ’90s – honors the brave creature who pulls presents uphill on his sled.

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SNOOPY'S CHRISTMAS

Though actually a reference to World War I, the song paints a picture of Snoopy and his nemesis, the Red Baron, engaged in a fight. The two eventually set aside their differences to celebrate Christmas Eve.

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THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

How many animals are featured in this traditional tune? Seven swans a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves – and of course, a partridge in a pear tree. That’s a total of 23!

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GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER

While not the most sensitive of anthems, this Christmas hit gives a lighthearted spin to the holidays. The title – and lyrics (“There were hoof prints on her forehead, and incriminating Claus marks on her back”) – certainly makes a lasting impression!

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THE CHIPMUNK SONG

Will there ever be a line as oft-repeated as, “Me, I want a hula hoop”? We think not! The iconic childrens melody, which won three Grammy Awards, stays relevant even today, more than 50 years after it was first recorded.

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