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Exeter and Wyomissing play for District 3 football championships tonight. We will be updating this story as the games go along, so check back periodically for the latest on the games. Wyomissing plays Lampeter-Strasburg for the Class 4A crown, and Exeter meets Bishop McDevitt for the 5A title. On Saturday, Wilson plays Harrisburg at 1 p.m. for the Class 6A crown.
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The Nigerian equities market began the week in the green zone on Monday, December 23, 2024, as investors gained N137 billion on the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). This follows a surge in the share prices of stocks OKOMUOIL, MRS, and MANSARD amongst others on the trading floor. After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalization increased to N61.441 billion from N61.303 trillion which was recorded by the bourse on Friday. The benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) increased to 101,356.15 points from the 101,129.09 Points recorded on Friday last week. The market breadth was positive as 53 stocks advanced and 19 stocks declined, while 48 stocks remained unchanged in 12,490 deals. OKOMUOIL, MRS, and MANSARD led other gainers with 10% growth each in share prices to close at N403.70, N198.00 and N8.25 from the previous N367.00, N180.00 and N7.50 per share. AUSTINLAZ, ARADEL, and OANDO led other price decliners with 9.84%, 9.64%, and 8.63% decline each in share prices to close at N1.65, N600.00, and N63.50 from the previous N5.10, N730.40 and N1.60 per share. On the volume index, GTCO led trading with 39 million shares in 345 deals followed by JAPAULGOLD which traded 35 million shares in 167 deals. ZENITHBANK traded 34 million shares in 500 deals. On the value index, ARADEL topped as the securities traded stock worth N3.7 billion in 619 deals followed by GTCO which traded equities worth N2.2 billion in 345 deals. ZENITHBANK traded shares valued at N1.5 billion in 500 deals. Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate NowDavid Sacks —AFP WASHINGTON—US President-elect Donald Trump on late Thursday named former PayPal chief operating officer David Sacks as White House “AI and crypto czar.” The wealthy tech entrepreneur will take on a newly created role advising the Trump administration on cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI). “David will guide policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, two areas critical to the future of American competitiveness,” Trump said in a social media post. “He will safeguard Free Speech online and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship.” Sacks will also lead a presidential council of advisors on science and technology, according to Trump. The entrepreneur, whose wealth has been estimated in the billions of dollars, is considered part of a so-called PayPal Mafia cadre of influential tech entrepreneurs that includes Elon Musk and Peter Thiel. The group was part of that company’s founding era and members have thrown their clout behind conservative political policies and candidates. READ: Trump going berserk, targets birthright, naturalized citizens Sacks backed JD Vance as Trump’s running mate in the recent US presidential election, hosting Vance on his podcast in the process. After PayPal was bought by eBay in 2002, Sacks went on to help create other tech firms, including Yammer, which was bought by Microsoft. Sacks, who like Musk was born in South Africa, also took to investing in start-ups. Musk met with US lawmakers Thursday to discuss his plans for overseeing radical government spending cuts under the incoming administration. Trump rewarded the Tesla, X and SpaceX chief for his support during the White House campaign by naming him head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, along with another wealthy ally, Vivek Ramaswamy. Although the office, dubbed Doge, has a purely advisory role, Musk’s star power and intense influence in Trump’s inner circle bring political clout. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . During Trump’s election campaign, Musk vowed to reduce federal spending by $2 trillion.
ENERGY SERVICES OF AMERICA COMPLETES ACQUISITION
Protect yourself on the slopes with these top ski helmetsCanada’s only Elevated Park is joining forces with other railway entities in St. Thomas. Seven years after the park opened on the former Michigan Central Rail Bridge, volunteers say it’s time for the next chapter and new leadership. Those behind the park have joined forces with the Railworks Coalition to help collaborate and grow. “We have a board structure and management and a bigger group of volunteers,” said Mat Janes, president of On Track St. Thomas, who manage the park. “Up to this point, it's been a small number of us that have been doing all the work. We hope to take advantage of Railworks standing in the community to bring some more people into the project as well.” The Railworks Coalition believes this is the natural next step, to unite all rail entities. “When this was all envisioned many years ago, it was to bring together all the rail, heritage and rail assets within St. Thomas and surrounding communities,” said Scott Sleightholm, president of Railworks Coalition. “Up until now, we have the Elgin County Railway Museum, CASO Station and BX Tower. When we were presented with the opportunity to bring in the Elevated Park, into the assets, I think it was a natural next step.” The park, which opened in 2017, recently received a boost from a local business. Entegrus has donated $10,000 to support enhancements. “What we're going to do is continue our tree planting program to the west of the bridge,” said Janes. “We call it the Arboretum Line because it's going to be all native trees identified. We're going to use it as an educational opportunity for people to learn about native trees. Then we'll also use it (the donation) for other improvements on the bridge, such as repairing the light sculpture.” It’s a partnership both parties believe will enable them to provide opportunities to attract new visitors, supporters, solidify the park’s impact on the region. “We've been expanding events at the CASO Station, the Elgin County Railway Museum, we can move to maybe bring back some more events and some different events over on the Elevated Park as well,” said Sleightholm. “We want to continue to push the rail heritage and the rail assets in St. Thomas-Elgin community.” Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals PSA: The Michael Kors Boxing Week Sale Is Happening Right Now The Silk & Snow End Of Year Sale Is Officially On — Here's What To Add To Your Cart The Best Early Boxing Day Deals On Amazon Canada For 2024 London Top Stories Anonymous $2 million donation given to St. Joseph’s Health Care Transitional shelter to open in Ingersoll in 2025 Next chapter for St. Thomas Elevated Park as it joins forces with Railworks Coalition Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Two charged in South Bruce Peninsula break-and-enter 91-year-old harness driver victorious at The Raceway in London, Ont. Statistics Canada reports real GDP grew 0.3 per cent in October STPS searching for two theft suspects CTVNews.ca Top Stories Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office. Multiple OnlyFans accounts featured suspected child sex abuse, investigator reports An experienced child exploitation investigator told Reuters he reported 26 accounts on the popular adults-only website OnlyFans to authorities, saying they appeared to contain sexual content featuring underage teen girls. King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names. 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated. Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Santa's sleigh has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace, the federal government announced on Monday just ahead of the busy holiday season. Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. U.S. House Ethics report finds evidence Matt Gaetz paid thousands for sex and drugs including paying a 17-year-old for sex in 2017 The U.S. House Ethics Committee found evidence that former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for sex or drugs on at least 20 occasions, including paying a 17-year-old girl for sex in 2017, according to a final draft of the panel's report on the Florida Republican, obtained by CNN. Young mammoth remains found nearly intact in Siberian permafrost Researchers in Siberia are conducting tests on a juvenile mammoth whose remarkably well-preserved remains were discovered in thawing permafrost after more than 50,000 years. Kitchener Parts of southern Ontario under travel advisory Anyone planning to travel today is being urged to be prepared as 5 to 15 cm of snow could hit a large portion of southern Ontario. Beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo forced to close for months following fire A beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo is bearing the brunt of some holiday misfortune. Grand River Transit’s holiday service begins Grand River Transit (GRT) will operate on a holiday service schedule starting Monday. Barrie Several collisions reported along Highway 11 as driving conditions deteriorate Highway 11 was closed briefly in Oro-Medonte on Monday afternoon as driving conditions deteriorated, causing multiple collisions. Firearms seized after 'violent threats' made against secondary school: YRP Police say officers found several firearms during a search at a teen’s home after he allegedly made violent threats against a secondary school. Single-vehicle crash in Springwater Twp. One woman was taken to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash in Springwater Township. Windsor City of Windsor reviewing other H4 properties, no longer pursuing Wellington Avenue The City of Windsor has announced it is no longer pursuing land at 700 Wellington Avenue and is looking at other properties for the new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4). Parvovirus found in Belle River A local groomer has confirmed a positive case of parvovirus, found in Belle River. Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Santa's sleigh has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace, the federal government announced on Monday just ahead of the busy holiday season. Northern Ontario Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail. Stolen vehicle investigation ends with sleeping driver and impaired charges An apparent attempt to steal a vehicle in Thunder Bay, Ont., failed when the impaired driver fell asleep in a parking lot. Man charged with damaging downtown Sudbury eatery A man free on probation has been charged with causing significant damage to a restaurant on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury over the weekend. Sault Ste. Marie Northern Ont. hospital to close emergency department for Christmas and Boxing Day A physician shortage is again forcing the closure of the emergency department at the Thessalon Site of the North Shore Health Network – this time for more than 48 hours over the holidays. Suspect charged with headbutting their parent, confining them to a chair in Thessalon, Ont. A member of the family in the northern Ontario community of Thessalon is charged with a vicious assault and forcibly confining their parent. One injured in the Sault after lithium-ion battery starts house fire Sault fire officials have determined a lithium-ion battery to be the cause of a house fire that broke out early this morning. Ottawa SNOWFALL WARNING | Pre-Christmas storm forecasted in Ottawa with up to 20 cm of snow tonight Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Ottawa and parts of eastern Ontario with a snowstorm in the forecast Monday afternoon and into the evening. Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cellphone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges. Brockville, Ont. cafe giving hundreds of Christmas dinners to people in need Richard's Coffeehouse in Brockville, Ont. is handing out hundreds of free Christmas dinners to people in need on Monday afternoon. Toronto LIVE UPDATES | Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto. Doug Ford dresses up like Santa to grant wishes in Christmas video In a video posted on social media on Monday morning, Ford is seen dressed up in a bright red Santa suit performing a personalized rendition of the famous 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Durham police looking for man after Whitby home hit by bullets For the second time in less than a week, police are investigating reports of gunshots fired into a home in Whitby. Montreal Judge rejects lawsuit tied to controversial 2017 Montreal Formula E car race An entrepreneur who sued the City of Montreal for not considering his bid to organize a 2017 electric car race has failed in his effort to obtain more than $3 million in compensation. Snow on the way as Montreal is put under weather advisory A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground. Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Atlantic No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas Province names 2024 Order of Nova Scotia recipients Nova Scotia has named the five individuals who will receive the province’s highest honour for 2024. Nova Scotia RCMP investigating structure fire on South Shore Queens District RCMP is investigating a fire that destroyed a home in Pleasantville, N.S., Sunday. Winnipeg Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week Snowmobile crash leaves 10-year-old dead: RCMP A 10-year-old boy is dead following a snowmobile crash near Rosebank, Man., on Sunday. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office. Calgary Serious crash closes part of Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta. RCMP responded to a serious crash on Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta., on Monday morning. The collision occurred approximately two kilometres east of Highway 56. 2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta. Crews respond to blaze at Calgary pizzeria The Calgary Fire Department put out a fire at a northeast business Monday morning. Edmonton DEVELOPING | 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated. City of Edmonton to lift Phase 1 parking ban Monday evening The City of Edmonton will lift the Phase 1 parking ban on Monday at 5 p.m. 2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta. Regina Heavy fog descends over Regina, most of Saskatchewan Dense fog is being reported across much of the province to begin the week of Christmas, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Regina police asking for public's help in assault investigation The Regina Police Service (RPS) is asking the public for help finding a suspect connected to an assault with a weapon over the weekend. Weyburn police searching for suspects after copper wire, motorcycle theft The Weyburn Police Service (WPS) is asking for the public's help after motorcycles and copper wire were stolen over the weekend. Saskatoon 'There are lines': In year-end interview, NDP leader says Moe went too far in election campaign Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders had agreed before October's provincial election not to target the families of candidates during the campaign, says Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck. Saskatoon woman arrested following machete attack A 55-year-old woman was arrested following a stabbing with a machete early Monday morning. Heavy fog hits Saskatoon, creating slippery roadways Saskatoon is under a fog advisory on Monday, creating slippery conditions for commuters and last-minute Christmas shoppers. Vancouver Chilliwack farmer facing multiple charges after crashing tractor into police vehicle A Chilliwack man has been charged with multiple criminal counts in connection to an incident involving a tractor being driven dangerously during a protest last year. Over $20K worth of stolen search and rescue gear found in Squamish More than $20,000 worth of search and rescue equipment stolen from BC Parks has been recovered, say the Sea-To-Sky RCMP. More than 280M trees planted in 2024 in B.C., focus on fire-damaged areas British Columbia's forests ministry says more than 280 million trees were planted in the province this year. Vancouver Island More than 280M trees planted in 2024 in B.C., focus on fire-damaged areas British Columbia's forests ministry says more than 280 million trees were planted in the province this year. Several storms in store for B.C.’s south coast over Christmas A series of storms are expected to bring heavy winds and wet weather to B.C’s south coast over the festive period. Over $20K worth of stolen search and rescue gear found in Squamish More than $20,000 worth of search and rescue equipment stolen from BC Parks has been recovered, say the Sea-To-Sky RCMP. Stay Connected
Boston Consulting Group and Jones Day Highlight Success in Dallas' Premier Luxury Lifestyle Office Destination DALLAS , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Harwood International is proud to celebrate an extraordinary year, with 341,163 square feet of office space leased across the vibrant Harwood District . As Dallas' premier destination for luxury lifestyle office spaces, the District continues to attract world-class tenants with its unique blend of design-forward workspaces, walkability, and unparalleled amenities. This year's achievements include a landmark lease with global law firm Jones Day at the upcoming Harwood No. 15 and Boston Consulting Group 's (BCG) 7-year lease renewal for 69,624 square feet at Harwood No. 6 . Since 2008, Boston Consulting Group has called the Harwood District home. Known globally for its innovative approach to management consulting, technology, and design, BCG's decision to renew at Harwood No. 6 highlights the enduring appeal of Saint Ann Court . Designed by Shimoda Design Group , this 26-story architectural icon offers luxury lifestyle amenities such as the Rockefeller Sky Gardens, a private fitness center, The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection , and on-site dining at Saint Ann Restaurant & Bar and MICHELIN-recommended Mercat Bistro . Harwood No. 15, the next chapter in the District's evolution, will redefine the luxury lifestyle office with cutting-edge innovation, sustainability, and world-class design. The tower, designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates , represents the fourth collaboration between Harwood International and the world-renowned architectural firm. Set to break ground in 2025, Harwood No. 15 will provide an inspiring workplace experience that integrates modern sophistication with comfort and convenience. Spanning 19 city blocks, the Harwood District is a vibrant community that harmonizes hospitality, art, green space, and a Walk Score of 94—one of the highest in Dallas . With occupancy rates consistently exceeding 90 percent and some of the highest leasing rates in the market, the District has cemented its reputation as a destination for companies seeking a luxury lifestyle office experience. Harwood International's success is deeply rooted in its 40+ years of expertise, creating thoughtfully curated spaces where businesses and their employees thrive. This expertise extends beyond office leasing to include a robust hospitality portfolio of 20+ restaurants and the luxury boutique Hôtel Swexan , which earned MICHELIN recognition in 2024. Harwood's culinary excellence, exemplified by MICHELIN-recognized Stillwell's Steakhouse and Mercat Bistro, enhances the luxury lifestyle office environment, ensuring that tenants enjoy concierge-level service, exquisite dining, and exceptional experiences. As the Harwood District continues to grow, it exemplifies how thoughtful, design-forward development creates harmony between work and life. About Harwood International Founded in 1988, Harwood International is an international real estate firm with offices and developments in select niche markets including Dallas , Geneva , and London's West End. The company is recognized globally as a purveyor for building the finest developments in terms of design, location, and quality while creating cultural experiences within them that are beyond exceptional. Harwood International's leadership is based on its world- class experience, name-brand architecture, exacting finishes, and a focus on energy efficiency and green space. The firm has received numerous design and community awards, including recognition by ENR for the Best Office Project in the World for its Rolex Building. Please visit harwoodinternational.com for more information. SOURCE Harwood InternationalThe 2024 NFL season is entering the stretch run. College football just completed the first round of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Women’s volleyball is coming off an incredible Final Four that not only saw Penn State reverse sweep Nebraska in the semifinals but then go on to win the title. NBA and NHL seasons are heating up as well. But it is also Christmas Week, so let’s hit pause on all that “sports stuff” and talk Christmas songs. We’ve each picked a song we love, a song we want banished from all manner of polite society, and an Honorable Mention, which is really just a fancy blogger way of saying “look there’s another song we love that we want to write about a bit.” Let’s dive in. Happy Holidays. Holiday songs we love “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Thurl Ravenscroft — Mark Schofield “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.” Thus begins my favorite Christmas song ever. There are two reasons why this song is my personal favorite. The first one? This is the greatest diss track of all time. Kendrick Lamar is reading the lyrics wondering why Thurl Ravenscroft and company had to go so hard on it. My dear friend J.P. Acosta said of it this morning that it inspires him to be a better hater. I mean, from the bat they just absolutely go in on the Grinch. (As an aside, a close second that we will address in a moment is “Scrooge” from A Muppets Christmas Carol , which is great because you have a bunch of Victorian Era Muppets just calling Ebenezer Scrooge a garbage human to his face). But this is the first verse: You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch You really are a heel You’re as cuddly as a cactus, you’re as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch You’re a bad banana with a greasy black peel And it just goes from there. There’s talk of seasick crocodiles, toadstool sandwiches with arsenic sauce, and more. Just an incredible takedown. But what makes this song great is we all know the destination this journey takes us. In the end, the Grinch discovers the true meaning of Christmas, and this absolute deplorable, soul-less creature is sharing Christmas dinner with the Whos as their honored guest, having learned so much along the way. I love it. I absolutely love it. “Silent Night’, by The Temptations — JP Acosta Once you hear Dennis Edwards opening line, “In my mind”, you’re instantly transported into the most soulful and beautiful Christmas song of all time. The Temptations bring life to a Christmas song that is otherwise kind of boring, and their harmonization just makes takes it to a different level. You can’t listen to that song and not feel all warm inside, like a fresh cup of hot cocoa sitting by a fireplace. What I love the most about the song is that it’s sectioned to that if you want to sing along, you can choose which part you want to sing along with when you’re with family. You got a lower voice pitch? The second verse is for the bassists in your life. You wanna try and sing soprano? Take the first verse. It has something for everyone, and it just reminds you of the purest Christmas vibes, which makes it my favorite. “Linus and Lucy,” by Vince Guaraldi Trio — James Dator This wasn’t even on the album! One of the greatest Christmas bops of all time was a b-side that didn’t make the initial cut. Now, there are a ton of solid Christmas songs off A Charlie Brown Christmas , but Linus and Lucy is the chill, smoothy, jazzy number we all need when the holidays get overwhelming. It’s also one of the few songs of the season that don’t have lyrics. This makes it the ultimate jam to unwind to, have a drink and still be in the spirit of the season, while also getting some much-needed silence. There is literally no Charlie Brown song more perfect than this and I’ll have it on for much of the month leading up to Christmas at times where I need a break from getting overloaded. Some Honorable Mentions “Scrooge” by the Muppets — Mark Schofield Picture this: A bunch of Victorian Era Muppets dressed to the nines on Christmas Eve calling Michael Caine — in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge — just an awful human being, all in song form. You don’t have to picture it, because here it is courtesy of A Muppets Christmas Carol : It is incredible. And believe me, I think about this Tweet (and the various iterations thereof) non-stop during not just the Christmas season, but frankly throughout the entire year: They really roasted his ass relentlessly pic.twitter.com/oC7IQrNYGw This song also gives us the iconic line: “No crust of bread for those in need, No cheeses for us meeces.” Just fantastic. “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”, by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra — JP Acosta You know how hard you have to go in to create one of the greatest Christmas songs ever without even saying one word ? The Trans-Siberian Orchestra didn’t have to create the most epic Christmas track of all time, yet they did and gave my siblings and I every excuse to air guitar on our way to Target to get Christmas presents. “Christmas in Hollis,” by Run DMC — James Dator This song would slap if it wasn’t a Christmas song. Jam Master Jay’s beat is one of the sickest of the era, and by shaking some bells on top of it we’re transformed into something absolutely magic. The song is fun, it’s a blast to listen to, and it’ll make people smile. Everything I need during the holidays. Who thought these were a good idea? “Baby it’s Cold Outside” by Frank Loesser — Mark Schofield Here we go. We as a collective Internet society have now spent two decades debating this song. Yes, it’s true. According to this article from Rolling Stone the very first article regarding the somewhat perplexing messaging and lyrics of this song came in 2004, in this piece on Canada’s National Post . Thus, two decades of debate began. Many pointing to the lyrics as problematic at best, counterpoints emerging regarding how the song and its message might have been a bit more feminist for its time. This Reddit thread, for example, can lead you down that path. But our purposes here are to discuss best and worst Christmas songs, and under that criteria, this song has to be at the bottom. Because simply put, this song has nothing — and I mean NOTHING — to do with Christmas. It’s a winter song at most, one that radio stations probably started playing around the winter time and as a result it became associated with the holiday. But it has absolutely, positively, nothing to do with Christmas. Whether you think the song is sketchy as hell — which is where I personally come down on the matter — or not, the fact remains that this is just not a Christmas song. “Do They Know it’s Christmas” by Band Aid (Sting, Bono, Paul Young, Boy George, George Michael, Simon LeBon, Marilyn and Glenn Gregory) — JP Acosta Just read these lyrics for me, and you’ll understand why I hate this song so much. “But when you’re having fun, there’s a world outside your window, and it’s a world of dread and fear. Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears. And the Christmas bells that ring there, are the clanging chimes of doom. Well tonight thank God it’s them, instead of you.” THIS IS ABOUT CHILDREN IN ETHIOPIA, BY THE WAY! I just feel some type of way about a song that assumes African children have no idea what Christmas is and that the greatest gift they’ll receive is life. I felt like a crazy person listening to people praise this song like it wasn’t basically backhanding the children of Ethiopia and saying to Americans that they should be thanking God that THOSE CHILDREN are going through this and not them. Is that not weird to anyone? How is that a Christmas song? WHO GREENLIT THIS? “Christmas Shoes,” by NewSong — James Dator Name a single other song by “NewSong.” You can’t. Tell me that you knew without thinking twice that Christmas Shoes was by NewSong. You can’t. I’m not inherently against the idea of a sad Christmas song, like, we’ve got Elvis’ Blue Christmas . The issue with Christmas Shoes is that it’s designed solely to make people emotional with all the nuance and depth of a Lifetime movie. That’s before we even talk about how this dude singing is telling this entire story to basically get a pat on the back for giving money so the kid can buy the shoes. It’s all performative, self-congratulatory bullshit wrapped in a story about a mother dying of cancer on Christmas. It hate everything about this trash.