# Have You Ever Actually DONE Anything in a Christmas Song (Like Gone on a Sleigh Ride)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 7, 2011, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365 "2011-12-07T12:56:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/21 "2011-12-07T16:28:45Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Chestnuts on an open fire? Yep. They were kind of meh. Sorry to hear that - done properly, they are great. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/22 "2011-12-07T17:01:08Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Sorry to hear that - done properly, they are great. We probably didn’t do it right. And they weren’t what I expected. Maybe I was hoping for them to taste like peanuts, or sugar plums, or root beer. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/23 "2011-12-07T17:20:34Z")
One of my most favorite essays on the subject > [@Robert Fulghum](#): > > Ever since I got the word about Santa Claus, I’ve been a closet cynic at heart. Singing about riding in a one-horse open sleigh is ludicrous. I’ve never seen one, much less ridden in one. Never roasted chestnuts by an open fire. Wouldn’t know how to if I had one, and I hear they’re no big deal anyway. Wandering Wise Men raise suspicions, and shepherds who spend their lives hanging about with sheep are a little strange. Never seen an angel, either, and my experience with virgins is really limited. The appearance of a newborn king doesn’t interest me; I’d just as soon settle for some other president. Babies and reindeer stick. I’ve been around them both, and I know. The little town of Bethlehem is a pit, according to those who have been there. > > Singing about things I’ve never seen or done or wanted, dreaming of a white Christmas I’ve never known. Christmas isn’t very real. And yet, and yet…I’m too old to believe in it, and too young to give up on it. Too cynical to get into it, and too needy to stay out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/24 "2011-12-07T17:25:35Z")
I’ve [gone to the movies and eaten Chinese food](http://www.hulu.com/watch/1373/saturday-night-live-christmas-for-the-jews-song), so yes. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/25 "2011-12-07T17:49:49Z")
Sleigh ride, yup Chestnuts roasted in a fireplace, yup, works if you use one of the wire popcorn poppers made for over coals. gone caroling - did it most years from the time I was about 9 until I was 17 or so Decked the halls with boughs of holly - decorated a feasthall for an SCA event so that would be a yup Donned gay apparel - well, I had made a brand new red, green, white and embellished with gold German renn for said event, not colors or a style I would normally wear. It was pretty festive so I count that as a yup made sugar plums, figgy pudding, plum pudding and done all sorts of fancy foods for various christmas dinners, including roasting both turkeys and geese, so yup I have jingled bells, and napped in the winter, and travelled through snow to get to Florida to visit my grandmother [didn’t say granny had to actually be in the snow] and I have walked in a winter wonderland whilst bitching about the cold at least 3 times going out to hack down a christmas tree. One year I gave my dad a cartridge in a bare tree - spent 223 round tied to a naked branch sprayed silver. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/26 "2011-12-07T18:28:52Z")
Chestnuts on an open fire. Very popular in Vienna and Munich when I was there. I was walking about these cities seeing the typical touristy stuff and it was very cold. Very nice to get a bag of hot chestnuts fresh off the fire and tuck them inside my coat until cool enough to eat. Seems a lot of people I know don’t care for the unique flavor or texture…their loss. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/27 "2011-12-07T18:34:37Z")
I actually got frostbite on my nose once, so definitely hit that mark. One-horse open sleigh ride - yes, but it was a short one, no drifted bank but we were upsot - quickly and completely. I’ve been kind and generous to the sick: [Blackadder Christmas Verse](http://www.christmas-songs-lyrics.info/lyrics/blackadders-christmas-carol.php) I’ve also gone a-wassailing. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/28 "2011-12-07T18:43:17Z")
I have found out, indeed, who is naughty and who is nice. I’m a moderator! ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/29 "2011-12-07T18:59:44Z")
I was found in a strangers house with a sack and wearing a false beard. And you tell the police that you were simply celebrating the Christmas spirit and they look at you as though you were mad! ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/30 "2011-12-07T19:12:02Z")
I’ ve had open fire-roasted chestnuts more than once. I’ve drank mulled wine. Years ago Christmas dinner was a goose. I have had a winter sleigh ride with jinglely-bells on the horse’s harness. I have at one time or another done all the typical American Christmas traditions. But I’ve never gotten a BB-gun as a present.☹ ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/31 "2011-12-07T21:01:19Z")
I decked a hall once, but then Arsenio had me banned from the set. ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/32 "2011-12-07T21:49:43Z")
I did “let it snow” several times. It is good to be omnipotent. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/33 "2011-12-07T22:13:10Z")
> [@sunstone](#): > > I did “let it snow” several times. It is good to be omnipotent. That could also be interpreted as slang for snorting coke. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/34 "2011-12-07T23:07:28Z")
I have spiked my date’s drink to keep her from leaving during a snow storm. I have heard the bells on Christmas day. I was never forced to land behind the enemy lines by my foe. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/35 "2011-12-07T23:29:09Z")
I’ve been on a hay wagon ride for Christmas several times. It was a yearly event in my hometown. Gone Caroling with a group. Kissed under the mistletoe. Like to deer hunt. Haven’t bagged a reindeer yet. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/36 "2011-12-07T23:53:41Z")
I’ve gone over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house. I’m pretty sure those woods have all been cleared to build subdivisions since then, though. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/37 "2011-12-08T00:14:22Z")
I’ve seen my step mom kiss my dad while he was wearing a Santa costume. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/38 "2011-12-08T00:29:42Z")
Hmm. Is collecting mistletoe mentioned in any Christmas song? 'cause I’ve done that. You have to go into the woods with a weight on the end of a long light rope, and yank the stuff down. I’ve had my nose damn near bit off by Jack Frost. I’ve walked in a winter wonderland. In women’s underwear, even. I’ve never been permitted to play in any reindeer games. ---
**Author:** ![missinformation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@missinformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missinformation)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/39 "2011-12-08T01:12:37Z")
Have been laughed at and called names…does that count? ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365/40 "2011-12-08T01:21:55Z")
I’ve ridden in a horse-drawn sleigh. Meh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-actually-done-anything-in-a-christmas-song-like-gone-on-a-sleigh-ride/605365.md?page=3)