How to Host a Killer Christmas Jam Session
Musicians Can Throw a Fun and Stress-Free Party for the Holidays
So many great songs and carols draw musicians to give their instruments an extra workout during the Christmas season, and a love of music rarely isolates itself. Usually, it’s an interest shared by family or enjoyed with friends. The holidays are a perfect time to bring all those people together and enjoy a festive Christmas jam.
Tips for Throwing a Christmas Jam Session
Musicians should definitely keep it simple. They and their guests have got enough going on during this time of year. Here are a few ideas to keep the party smooth and stress free.
- Schedule the jam for early December to avoid holiday conflicts.
- Keep invitations informal, just email or call.
- When you invite guests, ask them their favorite carols and what keys they enjoy playing these in.
- Send out an email listing each person’s favorite songs and the keys they might be played in to get guests in the mood.
- Have on hand a bucket of percussion instruments like tambourines, guiros, or shaker eggs so no one feels left out during unfamiliar songs.
- Check out the Internet for free sheet music ahead of time and print some for people who can’t play by ear. Some sites have arrangements for multiple instruments.
- If hosts don’t have enough seating, they can ask guests beforehand whether they might bring a stool or folding chair along.
- Keep the format of the evening simple by taking requests around the circle.
Refreshments for the Christmas Jam
Most people will be playing more than eating, so the refreshments can be simple. Keep in mind people will be touching food and then touching instruments, so foods that aren’t sticky, powdery, or oily will work best. If musicians only serve one thing at their Christmas jam, it should definitely be a steaming pot of wassail.
Wassail Ingredients
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 2 quarts cranberry juice
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 1 Tablespoon allspice
- 2 oranges, studded with cloves
- 2 cups rum (optional)
Wassail Instructions
Several hours before the jam, hosts should place all the wassail ingredients into a pot and stir together. Once the drink is mixed, they can heat it in a crock-pot and serve it warm at the party.
Record the Christmas Jam
Recording the music leads to the truly brilliant part of any Christmas jam. Hosts can either let their guests in on the fun or place a discrete mp3 recorder under a coffee table or chair in the center of their circle of players.
Once the guests have gone home, hosts can edit down the night’s recording to find the best songs and burn a Christmas CD for everyone who came. These musical gifts make great treasures to pull out each time the holidays roll around.
If hosts decide to make the jam a tradition, they can produce compilation CDs the next year. The music only gets better with time. There’s no better way for family and friends to celebrate the season than with a fun time together and a love of music.
Play Holiday Music on Your Favorite Instruments
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