Interesting, but simple Non-Christian Christmas songs for children

As xmas's origins is actually pagan that got hijacked by christianity maybe look at that direction as most of these songs will focus just on the winter elements.

http://www.whychristmas.c...s/carols_history.shtml

Cheers..

i'm dreaming of a white Christmas (perfect for South Asia!)
jingle bells
little donkey
i saw three ships come sailing in
let it snow
merry Christmas everybody (Slade)
rocking around the Christmas tree
Deck the halls
O Christmas tree (O Tannenbaum)

Sting gets a lot of flack, but I liked his Christmas album a lot. This has a couple of religious references, but not overtly Christian, and it's catchy.
 

Scoot
I teach children, 4-8 year old Vietnamese kids. In general my kids are Catholic and Buddhist, probably more Buddhist, but not by much. Vietnamese are very accepting of people believing in who they choose to believe in.
 
My school would like me to focus on Christmas and the kids will love it, so I'm happy to.

Just stick with the classics for 5 year olds, like Away In A Manger and ignore the religious part.
 
You're teaching music, not religion.
 

Oh Christmas Tree
 
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when it's cold and drear.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are so unchanging!
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Such pleasure do you bring me!
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Such pleasure do you bring me!
For every year this Christmas tree,
Brings to us such joy and glee.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Such pleasure do you bring me!
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
You'll never be unchanging!
A symbol of goodwill and love
You'll ever be unchanging
Each shining light
Each silver bell
No one alive spreads cheer so well
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
You'll ever be unchanging -
 
-------------------------- 
 
Frosty the Snowman
 
Frosty the Snowman, was a jolly happy soul,
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose, and two eyes made of coal.

Frosty the Snowman, is a fairytale, they say.
He was made of snow, but the children know he came to life one day.

There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found,

For when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around!

Oh, Frosty, the Snowman, was alive as he could be;
and the children say he could laugh and play,
just the same as you and me.

Thumpety thump, thump, thumpety thump, thump,
look at Frosty go.

Thumpety thump, thump, thumpety thump, thump,
over the hills of snow.

Frosty the Snowman, knew the sun was hot that day,
so he said, "Let's run, and we'll have some fun now, before I melt away."

Down to the village, with a broomstick in his hand,
Running here and there, all around the square,
sayin', "Catch me if you can."

He led them down the streets of town, right to the traffic cop;

and only paused a moment, when he heard him holler, "Stop!"

For Frosty, the Snowman, had to hurry on his way,
But he waved goodbye, sayin' "Don't cry, I'll be back again some day."
 
---------------------------
 
Deck The Halls
 
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 
Tis the season to be jolly, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Don we now our gay apparel, 
Fa la la, la la la, la la la. 
Troll the ancient Yule tide carol, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

See the blazing Yule before us, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 
Strike the harp and join the chorus. 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Follow me in merry measure, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 
While I tell of Yule tide treasure, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Fast away the old year passes, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Sing we joyous, all together, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la. 
Heedless of the wind and weather, 
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

 
 

 
 

Scoot

Karyn
 
Just stick with the classics for 5 year olds, like Away In A Manger and ignore the religious part.
 
You're teaching music, not religion.
 

Actually I'm teaching English, not music, but definitely not religion. Away in a Manger has a religious reference every other line. Not really upbeat is it either. Hated songs like this in CofE school, and little Donkey as a kid, so no way am I putting my kids through it, nor repeating phrases lie 'Lord Jesus' over and over. I want to enjoy my work.

Wow you're the perfect choice to get everyone in the Christmas spirit!

Maybe since you know what will or won't work it would be easier
for you to pick....here.
 
And here. 

Interestingly most of, if not all, the popular secular Christmas songs were written by Jewish songwriters; Irving Berlin, Mel Torme, Jay Livingston & Walter Evans, Johnny Marks etc.

Hmmm. Looks like you have a good list of suggestions. You have more than enough for a set. I'm not a christian ( although i was raised as one) but i don't find the songs dreary at all. Slower tempo does not necessarily equal dreary. It's not like the songs describe graphic depictions of crucifixion details :)  You may be overthinking it. I work with a lot of kids from non-christian backgrounds and most just care about whether they can get treats out of any of these holidays. We threw a community halloween event and most attendees were practicing recently immigrated muslims. Had never seen people in full muslim attire AND halloween costumes. In the end, they just liked the idea of free candy. 

I have the Phil Spector Christmas album, it's a classic, and I never think of Religion when I play it.

ampfixer
I have the Phil Spector Christmas album, it's a classic, and I never think of Religion when I play it.

sadly, i don't think of jebus when I think of Phil either lol