Sangria sing-along: carolers can’t remember the words, but who cares?

(12-20) Today is National Sangria Day AND National Go Caroling Day. National Sangria Day and National Go Caroling Day falling on the same day? Now that’s a holiday mashup ripe for trouble.

First off, let’s address the obvious: combining sangria and Christmas caroling. This is the day when “Jingle Bells” might slowly morph into “Jingle Slurs.” Picture a group of merry carolers, each with a cup of sangria in hand. By the time they reach “Silent Night,” it’s anything but silent, and the only thing holy about the night is the number of times they’ve forgotten the lyrics.

Imagine the scene: a group of enthusiastic, slightly tipsy carolers, going from house to house. At the first house, they’re harmonizing like angels. By the fourth house, they’re arguing over whether “Frosty the Snowman” had a button nose or a carrot nose, and someone’s trying to Google it but keeps typing “Frothy the Snowman” instead.

And let’s talk about the sangria. National Sangria Day in December? It’s like Mother Nature saying, “I know it’s cold outside, but let’s pretend we’re on a beach in Spain.” Everyone’s bundled up in scarves and mittens, holding a drink that screams “summer.” It’s the perfect beverage for those who are in denial about winter and are convinced that if they drink something summery, maybe they’ll stop seeing their breath in the air.

Then there’s the caroling song choices. After a few glasses of sangria, traditional carols might evolve into pop song mashups. “Away in a Manger” could easily slip into “Away with a Stranger,” a hit single from an imaginary pop star. And don’t be surprised if “Deck the Halls” suddenly includes verses about decking someone at the mall on Black Friday.

Also, consider the poor neighbors. One minute they’re enjoying a quiet evening, the next there’s a chorus of tipsy voices outside their window belting out “Twelve Days of Christmas” with new lyrics about sangria ingredients. “Five golden rings” becomes “Five fruity things!”

And let’s not forget the social media aspect. This is the day when Instagram and TikTok are flooded with videos of sangria-fueled carolers, each trying to outdo the other with their spirited renditions of holiday classics. The hashtag #SangriaCarols trends globally, filled with clips of people forgetting what comes after “two turtle doves.”

National Sangria Day and National Go Caroling Day is the perfect combination for those who like their holidays served with a side of hilarity. It’s a day when “Ho Ho Ho” meets “Rioja” and “Fa-la-la” meets “Fermenting Grapes.” Remember, if you’re going to mix caroling with sangria, maybe stick to songs that don’t require remembering too many words, or at least keep a lyric sheet handy – preferably laminated, to protect it from sangria spills.