Christmas Carolers Needed in Putnam, Connecticut

The town of Putnam, Connecticut, has requested Christmas carolers to wassail downtown this Friday evening. If you would like to volunteer your joyful voice, please contact Rebecca Theriaque at rebeccatheriaque@yahoo.com or Pat at the Bradley Playhouse, office@bradleyplayhouse.org.

I went Christmas caroling with my cousins in downtown Putnam last Friday. I was feeling grouchy and tired, but I went anyway. If you think you're not holly-jolly enough to carol, think again. We were slow to organize ourselves, but once we started singing, my spirits lifted. The cool air felt energizing. We were a small group, but we recruited people along the way: Two young girls and their baby-sitter, who happened to already be wearing reindeer antlers; a man smoking a cigar outside Victoria's Station; an enthusiastic couple coming out of the Cosmic Cat. We gave them red felt scarves to wear, made by Rebecca. We only had the lyrics to about six or seven songs, so we just sang them over and over again. At the end, Victoria's Station gave us free hot cider and cocoa.

What would have made the caroling experience better is simply this: more voices. If you are afraid to sing, bring a few friends. It is a strange phenomenon that the more voices that sing together, the better it sounds. Maybe your voice is weak and your friend's voice squeaks and your other friend swears he's tone-deaf-- When you all sing together with a group, it is easier to let your guard down and the sound flow.

Christmas caroling was all the rage in the Victorian era, and that is when most of the carols we know today were written. Putnam, CT has retained a Victorian charm, so it is a very appropriate place to go a-wassailing. This short article is an announcement of an opportunity to participate in a lively a-cappella tradition. Please contact the ladies from the first paragraph for more information.

Christmas caroling is said to have begun in the Middle Ages by beggars wandering the streets. They would go door to door spreading good cheer in exchange for a treat to eat or drink. The origin of the word "carol" means "circle dance", which has pagan connotations. It was outlawed, along with decorating, by English Puritans between 1647 and 1660, and did not become popular again until the mid-18^th century. A Christmas caroler is someone who believes that Christmas should be a time of generosity and celebration.