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Putumayo Presents: A Family Christmas

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 2.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    World music flavor enhances beloved Christmas classics.

The themes of this music are:   love, memories

Why We Rated This on for Ages 2 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Like all Putumayo recordings, this one encourages kids to learn about different cultures and styles of music.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Putumayo Presents: A Family Christmas was written by Jessica Dawson

Parents need to know that unlike other Putumayo albums, this one is mainly in English, and the songs are spins of traditional, secular Christmas tunes. That being said, there is still a "world flavor" to the music that gives this holiday disc the usual Putumayo zest, and is sure to be enjoyed by the whole family. There are liner notes in English, Spanish, and French.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about which holiday songs are their favorites and why.
  • This album celebrates Christmas songs that families can enjoy together. What are other ways to celebrate the holidays? 
  • What are some of your family's favorite traditions?
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More on Putumayo Presents: A Family Christmas

What’s the Story?

A holiday installment of the popular Putumayo World Music franchise, A FAMILY CHRISTMAS gets everyone in the yuletide spirit with 11 tracks that capture traditional Christmas songs with an array of musical styles. From New Orleans jazz to European polka, and English folk to Jamaican ska, the songs featured here could get even Ebenezer Scrooge himself in the mood for sleigh bells and Christmas cheer. A Family Christmas breathes new life into already beloved holiday tunes such as "Holly Jolly Christmas," "Sleigh Ride," and "Frosty the Snowman."
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Is It Any Good?

If you get tired of the same ol' Bing Crosby-Andy Williams dose of Christmas tunes, then you'll love Putumayo's A Family Christmas. Although it's a product of the well-known world music machine, the mostly American traditional yuletide tracks keep true enough to their roots and please even the staunchest traditionalist. The acoustic renditions of favorites such as "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Winter Wonderland" (Deana Carter), are fa-la-labulous. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy jazzes it up on "Is Zat You Santa Claus?" with quirky Dracula-style vocals kids will love, and English folk singer Kate Rusby's sweet singing on "Here We Come A-Wassailing" is as smooth as a hot cup of cider. Lars Edegran's "Frosty the Snowman" lives up to its always-high expectations from mittened, pink-nosed kiddos everywhere, with a delightful rendition of the Gene Autry classic. A Family Christmas is the perfect holiday soundtrack to enjoy with the whole family, and will leave you anxious and excited to get out the eggnog and the Christmas lights a little earlier each year.
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Music Details

Released on: 11/10/2009
Parental advisory: No, Edited version available: No

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