This time of year means so many things to so many people but one thing is seemingly inevitable, and that’s tradition. The safety and security that serves as a seasonal certainty can create a warm and welcoming culmination of the year. And right on schedule is ECMA award-winner Christina Martin with what is hopefully becoming her own Christmas tradition.
Following “Christmas Time” and “Coming Back Home for Christmas”, the singer/songwriter continues her streak of wholesome and heartfelt treks down memory lane with “Kisses for Christmas”.
With the new single and accompanying video, Martin continues to craft a cozy Christmas for fans, “Let’s keep it simple this year and focus on what matters.” The song is all about the connections that bind and the memories that remain vivid long after those sought-after toys have lost their lustre.
“Who remembers all the presents they got growing up?” Martin asks. “Maybe the one Playmobil mansion, a first electric guitar, or a prized stuffed animal or G.I. Joe, but there was probably a lot of other ‘stuff’ that just went to waste. It is the most thoughtful and heartfelt gestures that stay with us: the company and laughs, the festive traditions of trees bursting with lights and tinsel, cinnamon and pine-scented candles, music, and fireside hangs that make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.” And it’s right about now as the Christmas crunch begins to weigh down on us all that this sentiment is most needed.
As parents grow frustrated at ever-changing lists to Santa, the inconvenience of malls, and the expenditures that add up all too quickly, listen to “Kisses for Christmas” and think of your fondest memories of this time of year. Personally, it’s that my mother would always go out of her way to ensure her children believed they absolutely were not getting whatever gift they’d requested. She would apologize for having been unable to secure our desired items only to purposely manipulate Christmas morning in a simultaneously sick and sweet effort to best exaggerate our temporary turmoil and eventual jubilation. I barely remember what the gifts were.
Christina Martin visits familiar ground on this offering, but the familiarity elicits comfort, and the sincerity of her vocals with Dale Murray and Jordi Comstock’s backing ensures it’s a very welcome addition to your seasonal setlist. Martin additionally plans to host a virtual holiday party via Crowdcast on December 13th.