I remember going caroling as a child. It was as much a tradition as stockings and Santa, focusing mainly on homes of the elderly in the community. It wasn't until many years later that I experienced caroling again, this time from the other side of the door....
My caroling experience and a survey after the jump.
It's one of the perks of living in a first floor apartment, I guess. Each year a group of carolers comes by my apartment building. You can hear them coming from way down the street and I always greet them at the window as they approach. They even stop and sing a bit to my family, gathered around the open window, before heading on down the sidewalk. The experience is absolutely magical each and every time: a moment of pure appreciation that cuts right through the season's busy stresses to the heart of simply giving.
Read here about traditional carolers who were sent out in NYC by Time Out New York.
So, tell us, do carolers come to your home during the holidays?
Image: On the Wings of a Pig
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Cook Moist & Tender Chicken Breasts Every Time
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
No, but if they did that would be one of the best days of my life, EVER!!!
I don't want to be a scrooge but I don't like it when the carolers come. They basically shout on my doorstep until I open the door and give them money. They say they're a church group raising money for charity but it feels more like extortion. Maybe if they sang better I would feel differently.
Ha ha ha. I'm with you, MiklakMiklak.
I'm not a big caroler fan either. No matter when they come, they seem like an unwelcome intrusion. We sing lots of carols at home with our own kids, but I've never been glad to see carolers show up on my front porch. I appreciate the effort and am nice to them, but I always hope they'll sing one short carol and be on their way.
people sing year round on my sidewalk! usually stumbling and reaking of alcohol, and sometimes also begging for money. i guess you could say everyday is christmas in baltimore.
I don't believe I've ever encountered carolers here in Los Angeles. Ever.
I think the tradition has died out. I didn't know people still did that.
Never. And I would only tolerate them if they were in full Dickensian regalia.
Seems to me caroling is pretty much limited to hospitals and nursing homes these days... might be just as well!
Last year on Christmas eve a group of young girls came to my Grandma's house caroling. It was amazing and everyone was blown away at the fact people still do that.
My Grandma lives in a very small town and knew the girls and offered them hot chocolate and candy...it was surreal!
One December when I was living in a university women's residence, some guys from the choir came and sang under our windows. They were terrific singers and it was a magical experience.
But I do have mixed feelings about carolling, mainly because no one lets me come along. Of course, it could be because of my inability to sing on key but hey, it's Christmas!
i'd enjoy it only if i were drunk when they showed up.
I have two fond memories of caroling-
As a young kiddo, all the neighborhood kids would join up at a house, get bundled up, and head out to go caroling to the neighborhood adults, then promptly return for hot cocoa and cookies. Age ranged from barely talking-teenagers (16 or so?). What a lovely community that really was.
Last year, my parents and their bridge group of about 16 adults went to visit an ailing member who was unable to attend their Christmas/holiday gathering. They sang carols to Carol and her family, allowing her to experience the joy of their annual gathering and not the potential germs. I can't think of that outpouring of love without tearing up a bit.
Turns out I was lucky to grow up in such a great town.
Oh nostalgia!
I much prefer when the carolers, candles lit and dressed in smart regalia, just meander as a group down streets/sidewalks with the open invitation for others to join in. Oh what a merry festive experience that would be (no one should care whether you carry a tune or not! It's the spirit that counts!)
I dislike when they go door to door (sing in praise & joy of the season & the simple delight of singing, not for monetary handouts -- that is borderline offensive, esp if you are a shiftworker!!)
Happy Caroling! ♫
I went caroling with some friends when I was in high school. Generally, people were confused and thought we wanted money. Two older women were so touched they cried. We never went again - it was just too odd to deal with the bafflement on people's faces.
We had carolers this past weekend at our apartment in Roscoe Village. It was about a dozen people in their twenties, dressed in regular clothes, just walking up and down the block, ringing doorbells and singing fun Christmas songs. We didn't give them money (I didn't know you were supposed to?) but we came out onto the porch, along with our neighbors upstairs, to hear their song and wish them a happy holiday. It was lovely!
We almost always have a caroling group come by. We live in a small town in Michigan. We had a huge group this year. Maybe 50 people with little bitty kids and adults. They sang two songs one of which was almost a round because the little guys started late. It was awesome! They never ask for money and I don't think anyone gives them any.