The official Christmas FM thread

Posy · 29-12-2022 3:54pm

I'm listening on the FM frequency, so I've got Classic Hits 80's on now, which is on a 30 day temporary licence like XMAS.

I'm loving it! It's a great station. 😁 😁

Loughc · 29-12-2022 4:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120043812#Comment_120043812

I am indeed. Every day. Right up to the end. Love ChristmasFM

odyssey06 · 29-12-2022 6:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120043828#Comment_120043828

Me too. They should really throw in a few 80s christmas tunes into their mix for this week :)

Loughc · 29-12-2022 9:54pm

I really wished the ChristmasFM top 40 show was available to playback during the off air season.

TRS30 · 30-12-2022 9:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120043812#Comment_120043812

Yep, have it on Alexa and will do till the 1st at least.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120043828#Comment_120043828

Same in the car, some great tunes.

Loughc · 30-12-2022 11:06am

I’m at the stage now with ChristmasFM where all the songs take on extra meaning as I know I only have a couple of days of listening left for this season.

Heroditas · 30-12-2022 2:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120043828#Comment_120043828

It's only for 30 days? Noooooo! I thought it was a brand new permanent station. Ah well, it'll help get me through the misery of January.

DvB · 30-12-2022 2:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120045871#Comment_120045871

Have decided I'll be listening to my Christmas playlist on my ipod on the flight home as feel like I've missed out on so much this year. I normally wouldn't play it after NYD but need to close out the season somehow and reckon I need to listen to the playlist in full at least once. It's a long flight so I'm not stuck for time

Loughc · 30-12-2022 2:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120046658#Comment_120046658

I will keep listening to Christmas music until Jan 6th as normal and seeing on how dark/cold January is it might extend a bit into the Jan.

DvB · 30-12-2022 3:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120046663#Comment_120046663

January is my podcast catch up time, I've 3 or 4 can't wait for Christmas episodes and 3 merry britsmas ones to catch up on.

Loughc · 30-12-2022 5:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120046770#Comment_120046770

Same I have a massive queue built up now.

Loughc · 31-12-2022 1:50pm

Last full day of ChristmasFM with DJs until late November. Be sorry to hear the DJs go.

DvB · 31-12-2022 2:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120049415#Comment_120049415

Feels like I missed out on so much of Christmas FM this year. Will be dropping into classical and carols again in the new year but feel like I missed out on the main show.

Will make the run up to 28/11/23 even more anticipated 😀

TRS30 · 31-12-2022 6:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120049415#Comment_120049415

Have it on in the background while get party food ready for later. Probably wouldn’t tune in as much once they go.

ClaudeVercetti · 31-12-2022 6:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120049415#Comment_120049415

Ah the presenters are such a comfort, I'm having a quiet NYE due to catching the flu but I'm happy out listening to the last of it with a couple of hot toddies brewing!

They really do bring it to life. I dip in during the year if I'm down in the dumps but you can't beat the presenters.

Loughc · 31-12-2022 7:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120050411#Comment_120050411

Yeah completely agree. I often dip in and out of season mostly Jan/Feb/Oct time and without presenters I usually switch off after 10 mins. I feel like if I want to listen to a playlist I can listen to my own playlists.

I love the ChristmasFM jingles tho. Brings you right back into the season.

DvB · 31-12-2022 11:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120050430#Comment_120050430

The jingles give me tingles... so good at bringing uou right back into the season for moment.

Loughc · 01-01-2023 1:59am

Final song for online was fairytale of New York.

Loughc · 01-01-2023 2:00am

And that’s it for another 11months. :(

Loughc · 01-01-2023 2:46pm

Had it playing this morning while feeding the little man his breakfast and the playlist was on fire!

it got me thinking the playlist this year was very good. It started slow in November in particular before the FM launch but once it went live on FM I felt the playlist was much more varied than previous years.

DvB · 01-01-2023 3:48pm

Heard the songs I dislike a lot less this year, but didn't hear a lot of others I do like, but agree that the playlist had a decent variety this year. No song played too much ( though frosty the Snowman came close) which has been a staple the last few years.

As I said previously I'll be looking forward to its return in 11 months and will be dipping in and out of classical throughout the year.

TRS30 · 02-01-2023 11:01am

Would be great to get some inside info, how they pick the playlists, add new songs etc.

Heroditas · 02-01-2023 4:56pm

My father in law was saying the other day that he had been looking for a song from when he was younger but couldn't find it on CD anywhere. He was delighted when i found it on Spotify and played it for him. I've listed to it once or twice since then and it's lovely!

The song is Mary had a Baby by Mary Hopkin.

Worth a listen!

Loughc · 02-01-2023 5:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054920#Comment_120054920

I always think this. I do think the behind the scenes/run up to launch for ChristmasFM would make a great documentary or podcast that could release weekly on Oct/Nov before launch.

I did email them this idea a few years ago but Alais nothing came from it.

TRS30 · 02-01-2023 11:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120056138#Comment_120056138

Pity, that sounds class.

DvB · 03-01-2023 12:06am

A reggae version of jingle bells was played at breakfast this morning, had never heard it before and must look it up after we get back.

TRS30 · 03-01-2023 8:54am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120058117#Comment_120058117

Was it any good??

DvB · 03-01-2023 2:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120058556#Comment_120058556

Yeah was decent. If I find it I'll stick it up here forbyou all to have a listen.

TRS30 · 03-01-2023 3:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120059691#Comment_120059691

Cool. I can close my eyes and imagine I'm sitting on a beach with a cocktail in hand 😁

Loughc · 03-01-2023 9:53pm

So my fears on the multi charity route were unfounded. I think it worked well and ChristmasFM really delivered well on it.

Loughc · 03-01-2023 9:54pm

What will be weird is there’ll be no charity announcement for the next couple of years anyway.

I do hope we hear from ChristmasFM socials more this year even if it’s to post a meme or two.

DvB · 03-01-2023 10:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120061815#Comment_120061815

Yeah, they were very quiet this year right up until the charity partner announcement. I appreciate there's not much to post about throughout the year but previously they've had the odd post or email, this year was the quietest I can remember.

DvB · 06-01-2023 4:18pm

Great that they're so close. Suspect they'll reach it before revealing the final total.

TRS30 · 06-01-2023 4:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074460#Comment_120074460

Yep, I'd say it's a subtle marketing ploy to get them over the line.

Loughc · 06-01-2023 5:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074556#Comment_120074556

If they come back for one day I’ll personally will donate an additional €100.

Loughc · 10-01-2023 9:52am

So I may have dipped into ChristmasFM 3 times on Sunday just gone, with the tree down I needed a much needed festive boost. I listened in at 8am, 1pm and 7.30pm. While the playlist was good I did noticed maybe it was purely coincidence that the playlist played the same songs at 8am and 1pm. Maybe it's on a 5 hour loop.

TRS30 · 10-01-2023 10:03am

Would make sense with no presenters or public to pick different songs.

DvB · 10-01-2023 10:20am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120088646#Comment_120088646

I know classical & carols is probably the same, it does change throughout the year but you tend to hear the same songs at the same times (give or take) every day, I notice it because I tend to listen in at the same times/days across a period of time around scheduled work meetings.

Am WFH this morning so may give it a wee listen actually.

TRS30 · 11-01-2023 9:01pm

Just got an email from them and seems they have raised nearly €300k.

How does that compare to previous years?

Loughc · 11-01-2023 9:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120095915#Comment_120095915

2021 - €331,515

2020 - €284,000

2019 - €412,000

2018 - €400,000

2017 - €214,000

2016 - €365,000

2015 - €278,000

2014 - €107,000

2013 - €85,000

2012 - €100,000

2011 - €117,000

2010 - €86,000

2009 - €70,000

2008 - €35,000

Loughc · 11-01-2023 9:15pm

So €300k in retrospect isn’t bad. I do think the magic of Christmas and the lack of one defined charity might put people off and the cost of living crisis might make people less charitable.

TRS30 · 12-01-2023 8:30am

100%, the cost of living I would say definitely had an impact. Be interesting to see if next year, if things are better on that front if the multi charity thing works or not.

DvB · 13-01-2023 9:21am

I'd say the cost of living increase had a huge impact on the total. Myself & the Mrs only commented that many people have said to us outright that they were struggling financially this winter. Our own outgoings have increased by c.400 euro per month, thankfully we can absorb the increases (begrudgingly mind) but I have no doubts that there are many many more who couldn't and given that scenario theres less cash to go around for charities. On that basis 300k is a great return IMO.

TRS30 · 13-01-2023 11:01am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120101603#Comment_120101603

Agree, unfortunately charities are going to suffer when people start to feel the pinch and cut back on discretionary spending. We would be similar to yourself, can afford the increases however it has made us cut back on other things. Food especially has become very expensive. It is easily our biggest outgoing after the mortgage and childcare.

DvB · 13-01-2023 11:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120101962#Comment_120101962

Absolutely.

Our weekly grocery shop has easily increased by 50% in the last few months. And its easily our biggest monthly expense, even higher than the mortgage.

Loughc · 15-01-2023 10:14pm

So ChristmasFM is always a gold mine for finding new songs to add to your Christmas playlist did anyone find any new songs to add to your list you were familiar of before?

I added these ones.

DvB · 15-01-2023 10:21pm

Didn't change my playlist at all this year, truth be told I only tried listening to it once and didn't even get half way through.

TRS30 · 15-01-2023 11:17pm

To be honest, don’t have a Christmas playlist. I love the uncertainty of Christmas FM, it’s like rolling a dice and hoping your song comes up!

Loughc · 15-01-2023 11:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120113694#Comment_120113694

All fun and games until Christmas shoes gets played 😂

TRS30 · 15-01-2023 11:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120113719#Comment_120113719

Rolling a 1 when you need a 6!!

The official Christmas FM thread

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens