About the Song
Album: Merry Christmas Wherever You Are
Release Date: 1999
With his signature smooth drawl and timeless charm, George Strait takes us back to the heart of the holidays with “Old Time Christmas”—a song that feels like stepping into a cherished memory. Featured on his 1999 holiday album Merry Christmas Wherever You Are, the song is a tender tribute to the Christmases of yesterday—the kind filled with family gatherings, fresh-cut trees, homemade decorations, and laughter echoing down hallways.
Strait doesn’t rely on flashy arrangements or overproduced vocals. Instead, he lets the song breathe—simple acoustic guitar, soft fiddle, and a steady country rhythm guide his voice as he sings about snow on the ground, candlelight in the windows, and a kind of peace that seems harder to find in the modern world.
“I want an old time Christmas, like the ones when I was a kid…” — it’s a line that resonates deeply with anyone who remembers the magic of waiting for Santa by the fireplace, the smell of mom’s cooking wafting through the kitchen, or sitting quietly with loved ones around the tree. George Strait taps into not just nostalgia, but a longing for the slower, more meaningful moments that defined the holidays for generations.
“Old Time Christmas” isn’t about presents or pageantry—it’s about presence. About remembering what really matters: love, family, faith, and the memories that never fade. And in George Strait’s warm, steady voice, those memories come rushing back like snowflakes on a winter breeze.
For those who feel the world’s moving too fast, this song is a gentle reminder: the best kind of Christmas isn’t found in a store—it’s found in the heart.