Take a peek into the demented minds of Fred and Adam, two members of Taking Back Sunday, as they call out the senselessness of bird-gifting. This video is brilliantly animated and features giant blue elves, an ugly holiday sweater, and Donnie Bonaduce.

"The 12 Days of Christmas" is one of those songs that became a classic not because it has any music merit, but because it's obnoxiously long and easy to spoof. Taking Back Sunday’s unique rendition of the holiday carol is perfect example of how outrageous holiday songs can become.

In all my years of hearing "The 12 Days...", I never realized that the original Christmas carol was so dead set on giving poultry as gifts. Partridges, turtledoves, French hens -- who would ever give a bird to someone, really? A bird is by far the most obnoxious pet imaginable; it's painful to see the feathered little guy perched in the living room as a centerpiece, alone, in a cage.

Moral of this holiday story? No one want wants geese-a-laying for Christamas. Except maybe Danny Bonaduce.

I don't mean to get all hyperbolic on you, but Sufjan Stevens is the closest thing this generation has to a Brian Wilson. His ambition knows no bounds, his compositions are both esoteric and universal, his instrumentation is chaotic yet graceful, his attitude both incredibly optimistic and hopelessly heartbroken, and his influences are almost strictly Americana. Hopefully his relatively recent yet prolific career will continue to produce more masterpieces; he has yet to misstep. If you haven't seen him live, keep an eye out for him. His highly theatrical performances have been known to turn non-fans into true believers.

For now though, help him celebrate the holidays by watching this adorable animation by Tom Eaton for the song "Put the Lights on the Christmas Tree," made to accompany his 5 disc box-set, "Songs for Christmas." In a holiday known for its commercial excess it's nice to see that someone still knows what it's all about...spending time with Grandma.

Sung by Arlo Guthrie, Alice’s Restaurant is possibly the only 20-minute song that I've ever heard on the radio. Growing up in Massachusetts, this little Mass-a-cre would play on the classic rock station every year; listening to the painfully long broadcast became a family tradition. It's been several years since I left good old Mass, yet I can’t help but scavenge for the song every Turkey Day.

The song, which is more of a ballad, was written by Alro, son of folk legend Woody Guthrie, and released as the entire A-side of his first record in 1967. Based on a true story of warrants and trash-heap hauling, Guthrie’s song was made into a movie in 69.

Since many radio stations have stopped playing the song, this Thanksgiving tradition is honored on the web where the original recording of “Alice's Restaurant Massacre” is streamed on Turkey Day each year. Unable to find the song without buying the entire album, I opted for this festive little mash-up.

And if this cutesy collage is too much, there is also a live recording of Guthrie singing Alice.