For some the sound of the festive season is the tinkle of sleigh bells, for others a choir of schoolchildren…but for many it remains Noddy Holder’s ear-splitting shriek of “It’s Christmas”.
Traditionally December 1 marks the day that supermarkets switch their sound system to festive. We get to enjoy Mariah Carey as we seek out Christmas pud, Wizzard amongst the walnuts and a healthy dose of Wham down the wine aisle.
The battle to be number one at Christmas has raged for 70 years now and has moved with the times meaning digital streams and downloads as well as physical sales are all included in calculating who gets to top the charts at Christmas.
The most successful Christmas number one of all time is the Band Aid Classic “Do They Know It’s Christmas” which is likely to notch up its five millionth sale over this festive season.
A perennial favourite at office parties, school discos and shopping aisles, the Bob Geldof/Midge Ure masterpiece has so far helped The Band Aid Trust raise over £200m for the relief of poverty and hunger in Africa.
So, who will be top of the pops 2022? Well this year’s wannabees seem to be focussing on re-workings of previous classics in their search for the Xmas Xfactor.
Baddiel and Skinner have sprinkled some glitter and fake snow on their famous three lions hit and are hoping the combination of a Winter World Cup and the success of the lionesses in winning the euros will help “It’s coming home for Christmas” to the number one spot.
Meanwhile, the less well known double act of Peter Crouch and Paul Potts have released an album of eight songs inspired by football chants. With all proceeds going to UK LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall. they hope one track will prove a breakout hit in the singles chart.
Crouchy isn’t the only sports star with his eyes on the prize. Boxing champ Tyson Fury hopes to floor the opposition with a version of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.
The current reigning champ of the Christmas charts is Ladbaby who have taken the top spot for the past four years with reworked versions of well known songs incorporating their love of sausage rolls, with all proceeds going to Foodbank charity the Trussell Trust.
Whilst there’s still no news on whether Ladbaby will release a song this Christmas shoppers can still support foodbank and other charities whilst doing the festive shop.
Most supermarkets now have collection points for donations of food, clothing , hygiene products and other goods. A well organised distribution network ensures these goods get delivered locally to foodbanks and other groups providing support to those most in need.
At SK Foods we appreciate how difficult this festive season may be for many. For those who are able to donate to these in-store collection points as they bop around the shop, many thanks and enjoy the music.
