Of all things Christmas, nothing is more traditional than the singing of carols and songs. Songs that capture in lyrics and in music the many traditions that we have at this joyous Season: the birth of the Christ child, the Christmas tree, the opening of gifts, sleigh rides, and holiday get-togethers with family and friends. On October 30, 1889 banjoist Will Lyle made history by recording "Jingle Bells" - the very first Christmas record. Although no known copies of this recording survive, one of the earliest vocal examples of "Jingle Bells" does survive on an Edison brown wax cylinder entitled, "The Sleigh Ride Party". It was made a decade after Lyle's recording, and remained in the Edison Catalog for a number of years. The songs and monologues featured here are taken from original Edison test pressings and capture the essence of the Christmas spirit as it was in the opening two decades of the 20th Century.