Overrated/Underrated: Christmas Edition

We’ve decided it’s very important for us to rate things – all sorts of things. Why is it important for us to do this, you might ask? Simply put, we are very smart, and our opinions should matter to everyone. Or maybe it’s because we have strong opinions about things and we figured we should share those opinions with our readers so we could start conversations or even friendly debates. You get to choose which reason works best for you.

Today’s installment is all about Christmas. Each Christmas season brings music, food, and all sorts of other wonderful things. But not all the Christmas things are wonderful. In fact, some very popular Christmas things are incredibly overrated, while others are underrated. That is where we come in. We are here to right the wrongs of the past and accurately and definitively rate each of these things.

We hope you enjoy this lighthearted piece and that you take it in the spirit in which it is offered. We also encourage friendly disagreement and debate. We will do our best to respond to each and every one of you.

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UNDERRATED

“What Child Is This?” 

This one I’d say is fairly popular in my circles, but I don’t know too many people that’d put it as high on the list of Christmas Hymns as I would, which is Top 3-4.  First, I love the fact it asks a question. The answer is simple but still the effect is great to me. We need to be asking more questions in music and giving answers that point people to Jesus.

 Secondly, I love the tone and feel of this song.  Something I have learned just recently in my life is that not everything has to be fact over feeling. Sometimes, feeling and emotion are supremely important. Not that we follow feelings instead of truth but in the sense that truth doesn’t always have to be deep and heavy on explanations.

This, to me, is why when I ask my friends to vote on best Christmas Hymn, “O Holy Night” beats “Hark! The Heralds”.  “O Holy Night” is great lyrically, but it does not compete, to me, with “Hark the Herald”. Yet there is something about the mood of the song, the way it puts you right by the manger in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. It’s a surreal emotional experience. 

Similar for “What Child Is This?” The lyrics are great, but it has a somber, dramatic, emotional element that makes Christmas come alive. I can “See” Jesus better because of this song. (Gowdy)

“Come Thou Long Expecting Jesus” 

I love this song for completely different reasons than “What Child Is This?” I love its simplicity in the message but how it still packs a lot into two verses. This song is more cerebral than most, kind of an abridged version of “Hark the Herald”.  Everywhere I have heard this sung in congregations it feels like some people don’t know it. Thus, underrated. (Gowdy)

Underneath the Tree (Kelly Clarkson)

Gowdy chose all the spiritual songs, and here I am picking sugary pop tunes. You can’t say we don’t have eclectic interests! “Underneath the Tree” is fun, upbeat, and Kelly brings her usual vocal prowess. It feels festive and Christmassy in all the best ways. Let’s start a campaign to replace Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas” with this number. Who’s with me? (Phill)

OVERRATED 

“The First Noel” 

I’ll only say this once. “Overrated” does not mean I do not like it. Just not as much as most. I do like this song. A lot. But I’d place it like outside of the Top 10 of Christmas songs I long to hear each year. Also, it’s six verses. You can either skip verses (which I do not like doing with any song) or you can be pretty worn out by Verse Five. (Gowdy)

Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen Version

Maybe it’s because I’m not a huge Springsteen fan, but I’ve never enjoyed this version. And it gets played all the time and shows up on so many Christmas playlists! First, can we all admit that Bruce can’t sing? He just can’t. Second, the “fun banter” at the beginning of the song is just so cringe. And finally, the song itself (not Bruce’s cover) is not that great. He’s trying to make something special out of a song that simply doesn’t have the ability to be special.

And don’t get me started on the ridiculous “ho ho ho’s!” and fake laughing at the end of the song! (Phill)

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UNDERRATED

Stove Top Stuffing.

I have no interested in your fancy homemade stuffing. Zero. Get that stuffing out of my face. Be gone foul brood! Give me the stuffing straight from the box. I’ve faced a lot of pushback on this in the past and it has only served to solidify my resolve. Traditional stuffing is not very good. Stove Top Stuffing is divine. (Phill)

Sweet Potato Casserole

For me this is a “must have” at holiday get togethers. I think what I appreciate the most about Sweet Potato Caserole is that it is always served with the main meal, but it is really a dessert. So I can enjoy it plus have a dessert or two after the meal and I don’t have people asking me “Why did you eat three desserts?” Or “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” One of my favorite family holiday traditions each year is my wife asking me if I want Sweet Potato Casserole topped with pecans or marshmallows. My answer is always “yes.” (Michael)   

Turkey Again for Christmas

I don’t know how many people do this so it may not be underrated at all. But my guess is it’s not super common.  And hence, I think it’s something people should consider.  Turkey (dark meat at least) is fantastic and deserves more than a once-a-year turn. (Gowdy)

OVERRATED

Cranberry Sauce

Whether it’s from a can or some unholy homemade concoction, I want absolutely nothing to do with it. It is vile and loathsome, and I despise it to the very marrow of my bones. (Phill)

Green Bean Casserole

Disclaimer: Technically both of my choices may be more associated with Thanksgiving than with Christmas, but I am writing this the day before Thanksgiving and there is a lot of overlap between the foods on these two holidays, so I think it works. If you disagree, we will give you a full refund on the cost of reading this article. (Michael)

Barbeque

It’s good food and I will eat it. But the way it’s revered where I’m from is a bit too much. Especially at Christmas. (Gowdy)

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UNDERRATED

Klaus

I guess it’s understandable that this absolute gem of a movie falls under the radar for many people. It only received a tiny theatrical release in November of 2019 and was then released on Netflix about a month later. I am confident that it will become a cherished Holiday favorite for most households eventually, but for now, it’s still overlooked by many. (Phill)

Home Alone 2

I get it that it doesn’t quite have the warmth and novelty of the original and I am not saying it’s better but laugh for laugh, I think it keeps up with the first one. Especially the scene where the hotel staff and security corner Kevin his room and Angels with Filthier Souls gets him out of the jam in truly one of the most ROTFL scenes in movie history. (Gowdy)

OVERRATED

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 – Jim Carrey)

I loathe this film. Everything about it makes my skin crawl. It’s ugly, coarse, full of innuendo. And it looks like it was filmed on a gaudy soundstage. There is nothing redeeming about this film and it hurts my soul every time someone lists it as one of their favorite Christmas movies. I weep for humanity. (Phill)

A Christmas Story

Again, not a bad movie and even a good, quotable and worthy of watching every Christmas movie. But there aren’t many overrated Christmas movies and if I had to pick one that I really could skip every year and not feel bad, it would be this one. Some of the jokes were supremely funny to me for years and after a while began to be a bit “meh” to me. Like the leg lamp. (Gowdy)

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Final Thoughts

There you have it. We have many more strong opinions but felt that for the sake of brevity and short attention spans, we should limit ourselves to the entries above. How about you? What Christmas songs, movies, or food would make your Underrated/Overrated list? Post them in the comment section below and we will happily argue with you over a big glass of eggnog. (Or pick your favorite festive beverage if you are not a ‘Nog Enthusiast.) Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas!