Jingle Bells Wasn’t a Christmas Song!

Jingle Bells Wasn’t a Christmas Song!

• Jingle Bells” was written for Thanksgiving in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont. It became associated with Christmas later because of its snowy theme. An OMG Twist: Imagine singing it over turkey instead of presents!

Let’s Learn More!

Did you know that “Jingle Bells” didn’t start off as a holiday song? When it was written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont, it was called “The One Horse Open Sleigh.” It wasn’t even meant for Christmas! The song was created for a Thanksgiving program at a church in Savannah, Georgia. Pierpont wrote it to celebrate the fun of sleigh rides in the snow, which were a popular activity in the wintertime back then.

Over the years, “Jingle Bells” became closely tied to Christmas, even though it never mentions the holiday in its lyrics. People loved its cheerful tune and festive feel, making it perfect for the holiday spirit. Today, it’s one of the most famous Christmas songs around the world—but its history reminds us it started as a simple song about enjoying winter fun!