This past holiday season I heard something I hadn't heard in a long time: Alvin and the Chipmunks. I was taking full advantage of my first Christmas with the iTunes Music Store and downloading some of my favorite Christmas songs when I decided to type in Alvin and the Chipmunks. I found the song I was looking for, The Chipmunk Christmas Song, and memories came flooding back to me.

I used to have a little record player when I was young and I would always play my Alvin and the Chipmunks 45 on it during the holidays. For you kids out there who don't know what a 45 is, you're all spoiled brats. I loved that little record player! I'd play the whole record over and over again, probably much to the chagrin of my mom, who sternly punished my repetitiveness by baking lots of Christmas cookies.

It's those little memories of childhood, things as askew as singing chipmunks that really can make you truly smile a deep, heartfelt smile that can last for a whole holiday season if you let it.

"We've been good, but we can't last, Hurry Christmas, hurry fast!"