Monday, December 17, 2018

What Exactly Do You Do When Carolers Come To Your Door?

So, okay.

Carolers are awesome and such, don't get me wrong, but what do you do when they come to your door?


This happened to me a few days ago. I had just washed my hair and I air dry, so it was wet. I was in my pajamas with no bra on. I was reading a book. (Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks.) The rest of my family were upstairs on electronics.

The doorbell rang.

I shouldn't have answered. But supposed it was a package? There's a rise in porch pirates, so I couldn't leave it sitting out there.

So I answered. With dripping hair. In my pajamas. Without a bra.

A boy dressed as Santa stared back at me. I jumped. He jumped and nervously handed me a wrapped chocolate pretzel rod and a mint.

"Oh," I said, startled. "Thank you." And I went to shut the door because again I'm standing there with dripping hair, pajamas, and no bra. I didn't want to scar the lad for life. He couldn't have been older than 10.

But then he said, "Wait! We're going to sing for you!" and my heart dropped. I hadn't noticed before, but there was a group of people at the end of the driveway. Staring. At me. With dripping hair. Without a bra.

Would it have been rude to run into the house? Probably, yes. So I stepped out on the porch. It looked like it was a bunch of high schoolers, with some adults and small kids mixed in.



I stared awkwardly as they began to sing. A few looked shocked to see me because when my hair has just been washed, I sort of look like a wet dog.



Still, the show must go on, so the group sang "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" while my hair dripped on my bare feet. I crossed my arms over my chest so no one could tell I wasn't wearing a bra.

It is so terribly, terribly awkward to have a group of strangers sing at you, I'm sorry. I don't know the rules here. Do I join in? Dance? Am I supposed to offer them a treat? I didn't have enough to feed a group. The only cookies I had in the house were stale Oreos because no one likes to bake here.

I stared as they sang with what I hoped was a normal looking smile on my face. I worried I looked like this though:




The song seemed to go on forever. I surreptitiously tried to get a family member downstairs.

"Kids?" I hissed from the side of my mouth so as not to interrupt. "Anyone?"

No luck.

It was only me. In my pajamas. With no bra. And dripping hair.

I was so worried they'd start singing another song, so when they finished, I clapped enthusiastically and went, "Thank you, thank you, you did great!" and turned to head inside.

But really, was I supposed to tip them? I have no earthly idea.

I think it's a sweet thing to do, spreading Christmas cheer and all, and yeah, maybe you just don't open the door if you don't want to hear singing, but again, I thought it was a package.

"Merry Christmas," I told the group as they moved on to the next house. I swear I frightened some by my appearance and for that, I apologize.

So what do YOU do if carolers come to your door? And if you are a caroler, what do you expect from the people who you sing at?

72 comments:

  1. I am terrified of carolers coming to my house haha! I have no idea what I would do.

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    1. I think here it is only the large churches that you attend that go caroling. I've only had them once and like everyone else I was at a loss as what to do. I was at work in the courthouse and they went to each office door and sang.

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  2. I love when there are carolers coming to our house. Especially kids. Most of the time they have wrong lyrics of the song or not synchronized but I just love to watch them.

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  3. When carolers come to your door you just enjoy the Christmas songs and let the festival vibe slip in. Happy Holidays.

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  4. Just go with the flow. They get what they get when someone answers the door. You did have me cracking up

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  5. I WISH carolers would come to my door! I have never had one in my entire life. I would just stand there and soak it all in.

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  6. I've actually NEVER experienced carolers at my door but um, I don't think I have to worry about it either because we have a huge gate around our house. I honestly don't think I would open the door if people came singing at it, ha! My husband totally would though and he would sing along!

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  7. I know this sounds terrible - but I never answer my door if someone rings the door bell lol. Mostly for safety reasons if my husband isn't home but also because I cannot stand people trying to sell me something. So, the carolers wouldn't have a chance to sing at my door haha

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  8. I have honestly never experienced carolers at my door! I think it would be half frightening and half exciting. Maybe depending on what time they come I would really enjoy it.

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  9. I live too far out to have to worry about carolers but I've been one a few times. You never know what to expect. Usually as long as we assume someone is in there then it's time to sing and hope they come out. It's okay. Wet hair and no bra isn't the worse I've seen and now as a mom I feel like I'd be just as much of a hot mess too. :)

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  10. These are awesome tips! I've never had carolers come to my door. When shopping at the outlets, they have them, and I'm able to enjoy them if I want.

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  11. Super cute story. But I could not be inconvenienced in such a way and feel obligated to listen no matter who was at the door. Keshia Richmond

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    1. Should not be seen as an inconvenience when people take time from their busy life to share from their heart with Christmas carols. Politely listen to them and then tip them ($1-2 per person is fair) or reward them with baked holiday cookies and cocoa.

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  12. I haven't ever had carolers come to my door. I think I'd be amused but it would be awkward at the same time.

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  13. Emm? Well, I am not really sure. You did a good job I guess. Maybe leave a sign outside the front door stating that you are allergic to carol singers? I am out of ideas to be honest.

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  14. I remember years ago when two kids came to my house to sing Christmas carols. Thank goodness it was a warm day as they sang all 12 verses of the Twelve Days of Christmas.Then they were expecting money. I think other people may have paid them to leave.

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  15. Do you know it has been years since I've had carollers at the door, think the last time it happened I live at home. To be honest I'm not sure what I would do if they came calling.

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  16. OMG! I am terrified that this can happen! To avoid this, I usually don't open the door. I don't like carolers. I prefer to listen them in TV. lol

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  17. LOL!! I've never had this happen to us. I really thought it was something only from the movies and the old days lol

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  18. So funny, I would be so caught of guard too! But I would love it. I wish more people did caroling, so it's nice to know people still do it

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  19. I don't think I have ever had carolers come to my house before. I don't know what I would do in that situation.

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  20. Oh my goodness, this story!!! I would have felt the same way... and have no idea what to do either!! But, I loved reading your account of it, haha :)

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  21. I wouldn't know what to do either. These things always seem to happen at the worst times! That does sound awkward, but I'm sure a lot of people don't know how to react. I remember even in college someone decided to break out in song and it was awkward. I have never had carolers come to my house though!

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  22. Oh how funny. This is something that would happen to me! I've always wondered what you do as well, I would love it if we had Carolers come round.

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  23. I just really really love to see carolers it make me feel the Christmas is very near. And I am glad to know this from you.

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  24. I think I will give them money or some sweet treats to show appreciation for them. Carolers is a perfect presence of Christmas.

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  25. We've actually never had carolers come to our door. I don't think it's a big thing here in FL.

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    1. We had little carolers come to the house today. We live in SW Florida. The kids were adorable and pretty good. My husband said what do we do? Give them cash? I said I have no idea. So I took out the cookies that my mom sent and let them have some. Should we have given money? Seems weird to give money for Christmas songs unless a church or something. 🤷🏼‍♀️

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    2. You did well. I usually listen to them and then tip them ($1-2 per person is fair) or reward them with baked holiday cookies and cocoa. We just need to be cautious of nut allergies.

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  26. We have carolers every year. The ones that are collecting tips for a charity are up front. Others must be doing it for fun!

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  27. I was just thinking about caroling myself! Its hardly ever done now days!

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  28. I enjoyed reading your experience. I would love to have carolers come by. Money or sweet treats is ideal to give to carolers. Thanks for sharing!

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  29. Never, ever had carolers stopping by. In think tipping them is the right thing to do.

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  30. We live way out in the country so I would be surprised if we ever get carolers at our door, but I would have no idea what to do if they came! I think it's so cool that other commenters have had carolers!

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  31. It is great to have carolers visit your house. That just gives me the real holidays vibe. This article is so fun.

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  32. I closed all the lights and pretend I am sleeping! Yup sometimes I'm Ms. Grunch, hahaha

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  33. I never had carolers come to my door, either in the US or Japan.

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  34. Wow even though you werent prepared it sounds so sweet you had carolers! I think it is a beautiful holiday gesture and I wish I could get carolers to come to my door seems like a vintage thing to do I didnt think people still did that.

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  35. As I understand it, carolers are supposed to be doing it simply to spread good cheer. In other words, they shouldn't be expecting anything in return, especially when they are inconveniencing many of the people they are visiting. If you happen to have some cookies or hot cocoa, I'm sure it's much appreciated, but money should never really enter into it.

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  36. Personally such a "banal" tradition in the States I miss not living it when I go back to Italy for the holidays ç_ç They have a special magic!

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  37. OMG really? That just doesn't happen around here. Like ever. I have seen carolers once and it was about 35 years ago (I was VERY little) and even back then it was a rarety.

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  38. we haven't had any come to our door but i def would enjoy it if they did

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  39. We don't mind carolers coming to our place. I take the time to listen and enjoy their song (usually it's just one song). After all, they don't have to do this, so I applaud their willingness to come out and spread some Christmas cheer. I'm sure your story is about the same as others from around the country.

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  40. I dont think I have EVER had a caroler come to my door before - and honestly, I don't see that EVER happening because, well, we have GATES that LOCK in front of our houses lol!! NOOOO visitors allowed!

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  41. I've never hard carolers come to my door, although if they did I probably wouldn't answer. I don't answer the door unless I'm expecting someone.

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  42. Wow, I thought thatjust happened on TV, I had no idea people did this in real life. I guess growing up in a Jewish neighborhood, we never had this concern!

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  43. We have had carolers and have been carolers. The vast majority don't do it for money. They are just doing it to spread holiday cheer. I kinda wish it was still a regular thing. In recent years when we have gone it has been to nursing homes and we would go wing by wing until all the rooms had been passed. The residents loved it and sang along. I think because it was something that reminded them of their earlier years. And by going to the nursing home, we were avoiding the awkwardness of situations like your story!

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  44. Hilarious! I have never had carolers come to my door. I'm sure I would probably just stand there and smile.
    -Monica

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    1. Yes..I didn't know what else to do..and I didn't have any cookies or treats to hand out. Kinda awkward but sweet of them to come by my house.

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  45. This is one thing that I'm missing from my home country because since I got here in the U.S., we've never had carolers. Hubby said, there were never carolers here...ever! :)

    -LYNNDEE

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  46. We don't get them here but where I grew up we did. I used to enjoy caroling for some cash during this time of year as a kid, it was a very lucrative hobby.

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  47. This has never happened to us but I know if it did my wife and kids would join in. I can't sing to save my life so I am out!

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  48. I honestly wouldn't have any idea either. I would probably just stand there and let them sing. I mean they are out there already at your door. This happened a long time ago when I was little, but I haven't had it ever happen since.

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  49. Thank goodness we don't have porch pirates here. I answer the door for no one, lol.

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  50. Hahaha this is so funny! I don't like being caught off guard. I wouldn't know what to do either. I would enjoy the show if I'm prepared to receive them, but under your circumstances I would have felt awkward as well.

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  51. It sounds like you handled it perfectly! I can't imagine being able to do anything different in those circumstances.

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  52. You did handled nicely my situation will be same if they come to my home. My kids get enthusiastic that I know but about me I am not sure.

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  53. This makes me laugh! My neighborhood all goes out caroling together, but I hadn't considered what it's like for the person on the other end of the carol. Hope you can enjoy the holiday cheer, even if it is awkward.

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  54. I'm from a wee place where we don't have people going door to door singing. We barely have Halloween. It's mostly because of the threat that's been here for so long but still, it would be nice to have these things.

    (Even if I wouldn't open the door due to awkwardness)

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  55. I have never had carolers at my door. I would welcome them and sing along !!

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  56. I've never actually had carolers come to my door but I've always wondered what to do if they did. Thanks for explaining

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  57. Ive never actually had a caroloer come to my house. I would love that experience and I want to know are we supposed to tip them?

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  58. We typically open the door and let them sing. We like the holidays and enjoy things like this.

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  59. I tried caroling last night and an old man turned the water hose on us

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  60. We will have them for the first time in our life in 2 hours. We used to be very poor slaves like everybody else working at socialist country. We could afford food only after waiting days in lines to usually empty stores. Government had full power telling us what is the best for us, with no freedom of speech and censoring all information like in the US lately. We love USA and American tradition and we will enjoy the carolers and Christmas. They are not illegal in my state yet. We will give carolers sweets on our driveway with the garage door open what is the signal we invite the carolers in our gated community.

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  61. Enjoy the experience! and give each a candy cane, if you have many on hand!!

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  62. Haha this had me laughing so much. I just experienced my first carolers. I had no idea what to do and every time I thought they were done they started a new song. And I was also in my pajamas, LOL. I had to come on Google and ask my phone what was I supposed to do. I'm so glad I wasn't alone. So awkward didn't know if I should have sang with them, tipped them, or what. It was probably only 2 minutes but it felt like forever haha.

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  63. Send me pic with no bra

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  64. 3 times. First time, it was about 10 degrees and I wasn’t about to stand there with the door open so I insisted they all come in and close the door. Awkward. Another time, they were a high school group looking for donations and had a request amount. Less awkward but kinda cringy. Another time was in the hallway of the hospital. I’d had surgery the day before and they gave me sn excruciating headache. I didn’t enjoy them any of those times.

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  65. I loved your story and wondered what to do…?
    I think most Christmas Carolers want to bring cheer to neighbors and friends, and especially those who don’t get out much.
    On Saturday evening, two of my younger friends and a child came to our front door. (My husband was in the shower). I had thought it was a delivery…when I opened the door, they started singing. I didn’t know what to do, so I started singing with them.
    I invited them in, since they were good friends. Thankfully, I had a plate of Christmas cookies. I also had a bottle of Glüehwein (German Christmas wine) that I warmed up. And made a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows and whipped cream for the little 5 year old. It was fun to visit with my friends.

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