From Other Guides • classicrock.about.com: Beatles

Their rock contemporaries (The Rolling Stones, The Animals) looked down on the novelty of a Christmas Record, while their pop contemporaries (The Four Seasons, The Beach Boys) saw it as an opportunity to cash in, yet the Beatles themselves managed again, somehow, to have it both ways. The Beatles Christmas Records were sent to the Official Beatles Fan Club once a year between 1963 and 1969; not Christmas songs per se, they mostly consisted of just the lads themselves clowning around in the studio, creating Xmas (and other) improvised songs, and inserting the obligatory holiday wishes.

However, what sounds like novelty is actually a quite fascinating slice of the legacy. For one thing, they contain original Beatles songs that haven't been released or are hard to find. From obvious goofs like "Everywhere It's Christmas" to the excellent "Christmas Time Is Here Again" (a song which contains some of Ringo's finest moments on the drums), to the Paul solo "Happy New Year", which sounds like "I've Got A Feeling" would had it been done on his mostly-acoustic hearth-and-home McCartney album. And we can't forget what these records must have meant to the fans in an analog, mediaunsaturated time; these discs, even today, sound like a phone conversation with all four Beatles at once.

Most importantly, though, these records contain a clear delineation of the Beatles Arc of History. When listened to all at once, chronologically, they provide a startling parallel to the band's own adventures. The earliest ones are full of energy and overwhelming optimism, but they're simple and only subtly adventurous. As they move into 1965, more experimentation comes into play, and the lads begin to take creative hold of the medium, ad-libbing and using the studio to full effect. By the time the series ends, the series is only perfunctorily about Christmas or the Fan Club: everyone sounds restless and the collaborative spirit has vanished. These records never uncover the unhappiness that Let It Be does; they're very pleasant (and fun) listening. But don't think they don't tell part of the story... by 1969, Yoko appears more than Paul does.

Here's a collection of links to the best websites about the Beatles' Christmas records. If you have or know of a site like this that isn't listed here, e-mail me!

Who's Who Behind The Fan Club Xmas Messages?
A much-needed history of the project(s) from John Whelan. Found at The Ottawa Beatles Site.

Fincharie's Music Shack: Beatles British Fan Club Flexis
Own one of these discs? Want to know how much it's worth? This price guide (in dollars) can help!

Bootleg Zone
Info on all the Beatles Christmas bootlegs, including compilations.

The Beatles Ireland
Is there an unreleased Beatles Christmas recording? Listen to it here and decide for yourself!

Beatles Xmas Archives
Other vintage promotional Beatles fare for the holidays! From Bryan's Beatles Archives.