We already have plans for Next Year's Christmas Lights

So we know we just started 2025 Christmas season of lights, yet we have lots more planned. After Christmas we plan to do some fun different songs as well, so stay tuned for more info about that once it is prepared.

For next year's Christmas Lights we are planning to have different songs for each night of the week. If you have a song request, you can text the song name and singer to Chelsea but first you need to opt in by texting @chelseavan to the number 81010. This will also allow you to get updates about Christmas lights.

Here's a rough draft. Let us know if you have a different theme idea by text when you opt in.

Comfort & Hope Night (Mondays)

A peaceful set of songs created especially for those who may be grieving, hurting, or missing someone this Christmas. Come enjoy a gentle, comforting night of light and music.

“Auld Lang Syne (Acoustic/Reflective Version)” – Various Artists

“Where Are You Christmas?” – Faith Hill

“Silent Night” – Lauren Daigle

“Christmas in Heaven” – Scotty McCreery

“Hallelujah (Christmas Version)” – Cloverton

“Someday at Christmas” – Stevie Wonder

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Sam Smith

“It’s Not Christmas Without You” – Home Free

“O Come O Come Emmanuel” – The Piano Guys

“The Christmas Shoes” – NewSong

Christmas Movie Night (Tuesdays)

All your favorite Christmas movie moments brought to life with synchronized lights. From Home Alone to The Grinch, this night is pure nostalgia.

“White Christmas” – Bing Crosby (from White Christmas)

“The Polar Express” – Tom Hanks (from The Polar Express)

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – Thurl Ravenscroft

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey (Love Actually)

“Somewhere in My Memory” – John Williams (Home Alone)

“Believe” – Josh Groban (Polar Express)

“Christmas Vacation Theme” – Mavis Staples

“Spirit of the Season” – Polar Express

“Making Christmas” – The Nightmare Before Christmas

“Christmastime Is Here” – Vince Guaraldi Trio

Kids’ Christmas Night (Wednesdays)

A family-favorite night with silly, magical Christmas songs made just for kids. Expect lots of color, animation, and crowd-pleasing fun.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Gene Autry

“Frosty the Snowman” – Jimmy Durante

“Let It Go – Christmas Mix Lights Version” (or similar Frozen-themed track)

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” – Jackson 5

“The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” – Alvin & The Chipmunks

“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” – Gayla Peevey

“Here Comes Santa Claus” – Gene Autry

“Hot Chocolate” – The Polar Express

“Jingle Bells” – Mickey & Minnie

“Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” – Frozen

Fun & Festive Night (Thursdays)

High-energy Christmas classics that will have your whole car tapping to the beat. Bright lights, fast patterns, and songs everyone knows.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee

“Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms

“Feliz Navidad” – José Feliciano

“Run Run Rudolph” – Kelly Clarkson or Chuck Berry

“Carol of the Bells (Trans-Siberian Orchestra)” – TSO

“Sleigh Ride” – The Ronettes

“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – Jackson 5

“Happy Holidays / The Holiday Season” – Andy Williams

“We Need a Little Christmas” – Johnny Mathis

“Linus & Lucy” – Vince Guaraldi Trio

Christ-Centered Worship Night (Fridays)

A meaningful night focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus through worship music and classic Christian Christmas songs.

“O Holy Night” – Chris Tomlin

“Light of the World” – Lauren Daigle

“Mary, Did You Know?” – Pentatonix

“Noel” – Lauren Daigle & Chris Tomlin

“Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)” – Chris Tomlin

“Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)” – Chris Tomlin

“He Shall Reign Forevermore” – Chris Tomlin

“The First Noel” – Carrie Underwood

“Hope Was Born This Night” – Sidewalk Prophets

“What a Glorious Night” – Sidewalk Prophets

Country Christmas Night (Saturdays)

A cozy, down-home Christmas night filled with warm vocals, storytelling lyrics, and beloved country Christmas classics.

“Christmas Cookies” – George Strait

“Let It Be Christmas” – Alan Jackson

“Tennessee Christmas” – Amy Grant (country crossover)

“Hard Candy Christmas” – Dolly Parton

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” – Carrie Underwood

“Christmas Eve” – Kelly Clarkson (country style)

“Christmas Like” – Thomas Rhett

“Winter Wonderland” – Brooks & Dunn

“The Angels Cried” – Alan Jackson & Alison Krauss

“Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy” – Garth Brooks

Modern Pop Christmas Night (Sundays)

Current Christmas hits and pop favorites that create a fresh, exciting musical experience to close out each weekend.

“Underneath the Tree” – Kelly Clarkson

“Mistletoe” – Justin Bieber

“Santa Tell Me” – Ariana Grande

“It’s Not Christmas Without You” – Victorious Cast

“Snowman” – Sia

“Cozy Little Christmas” – Katy Perry

“One More Sleep” – Leona Lewis

“Glow” – Brett Eldredge

“Christmas Lights” – Coldplay

“Joyful, Joyful” – Pentatonix

Merry Christmas from The Vanderpools 2025

Now is the perfect time to reflect on the year that's been and to think about what we want to achieve in the New Year as a family. I can't wait!

Want a Holiday Card in the mail? May not be until next year depending on when you sign up. Make sure you're on our Card List!

If we had to pick one word to sum up 2025, it would be growth — in work, faith, creativity, and everyday life. This year has been full of change, healing, and a lot of fun projects that have kept us learning and laughing along the way.

Richard started a new management position at Red Hat, and Chelsea launched Wandering Vanderpools, our family travel blog, while also becoming a Fora Travel Advisor www.wanderingvanderpools.com Chelsea also is doing referrals if you need a real estate agent and doing Property Management.

Chelsea has also been writing more than ever — starting a family blog and hosting a soccer group that comes with its own mini blog, combining her love for community, encouragement, and a good game of soccer. Soccer Stories with Heart! I've also been working on a book, hopefully you'll hear about that more next year. I also shared my testimony earlier this year! Faith in Transition

We took a family trip to the Outer Banks this summer — complete with sunshine, wild horses, and one bit of excitement when our dog Rosalee decided to sneak out from the sitter while we were away! See the family travel blog post about the trip! Thankfully, she made it home safely. Caleb couldn’t join us because of work, but everyone else went (including Oliver, our chihuahua).

Later in the year, Richard and I celebrated our 22nd anniversary with a peaceful getaway to Draper, VA — the perfect spot to rest, reflect, and enjoy some quiet time together.

When he’s not working, Ricky has loved diving into his creative side — building a CNC machine and working on new designs with his 3D printers. His projects have inspired everyone in the house (and taken over a bit of the garage, too). Follow him on Facebook for pictures and videos of what he's been up to! Eventually, he will be publishing a blog that he's working on as well.

He’s already gearing up for one of our favorite family traditions — our Christmas light display! This year, thanks to Ricky’s tech skills, the lights will be even bigger and better, complete with music that syncs to the show. We can’t wait to share it with friends and neighbors again this season. You can read about or come visit our Christmas light display if you're nearby! Tacky Lights Tour! For those not nearby, follow our Youtube Channel and I'll post a video of this year's lights!

Text @chelseavan to 81010 to opt in for Christmas light updates. Or join here: https://www.remind.com/join/chelseavan

At home, we’ve cherished spending time together by watching different shows with each of the kids except Ava (art) — our little way of connecting one-on-one.

• With Caleb, we’re loving Suits.
• With Anna, K-Pop Demon Hunters is always playing.
• With Ava, it's more about art that she likes
• And for us, Last Man Standing has been a fun mix of laughter and nostalgia — it’s wild to look back and see how much has changed since the show first aired! Also we are loving Continuum, a sci-fi show on Amazon Prime.

This year brought a few challenges too. Richard had surgery earlier in the year, and Anna broke her leg about a month before finishing 5th grade — which also meant surgery for her. Thankfully, both are fully healed now, and we’re so grateful for the strength and support that got us through it all.

• Caleb (20) has been busy working as a security guard and doing landscaping and handyman work on the side. He’s started dating, loves airsoft, and even went to a weekend event for it in October. He moved out with some roommates in November! So proud of him and all he is doing!
• Ava (18) is taking a gap year, working at Banana Republic and doing face painting at local events. She was promoted to manager at Banana Republic in November! Proud of her too! She plans to start college at Alamance Community College in Spring 2026. Her art and creativity continue to amaze us — she’s always finding new ways to express herself.
• Anna (13) started middle school and officially became a teenager this year! After her recovery from breaking her leg and getting surgery, she came back stronger than ever. She launched her own YouTube channel, loves K-Pop Demon Hunters, and made a big step in her faith — she was baptized this year! Message me at 984-204-9508 if you want me to send you her Youtube Channel link so you can see her videos and subscribe if you like.

This year has deepened our faith in so many ways. Navigating life with adult children and now a teenager has brought a lot of new lessons — and maybe a few gray hairs! But we’ve seen God’s hand in it all.

We’ve learned to slow down, enjoy each season, and appreciate how each of our kids is growing into who they’re called to be.

As 2026 approaches, we’re dreaming about planning a family cruise — hopefully somewhere sunny and relaxing!

From our home to yours, we’re wishing you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful new year ahead. Thank you for being part of our journey — we’re so grateful for the love, friendship, and memories shared along the way.

With love,

The Vanderpools

Richard, Chelsea, Caleb, Ava, Anna, Hutch, Rosalee, Oliver, Snowy, and Jingles