Thought I'd get in early on this ( any special Christmas songs were probably recorded in June or July and the product is already in the warehouses ,if not in the shops)
This is aimed at both DJs and Non DJs. We all either worked or danced over the Christmas period.
I used to enjoy DJing more at New Year's eve rather than Christmas eve (or heavens forbid) Boxing day. The crowd always seemed less completely out of it at New Year and more into having a genuinely good time.
My feelings towards Christmas eve are probably tempered by the fact that most years I probably worked at lunchtime too and they really were not the prettiest of sights. This was when you'd get literally anyone walking into the Disco off of the streets. There'd be shop and office workers, people just out doing last minute shopping etc all looking rather bewildered to be inside this completely different atmosphere and they all were full of the Christams spirit (so far as music was concerned).
The Cristmas eve nights somewhat took off where lunchtime finished except many, many people were half cut when they arrived and then proceeded to drink heavily. To me there was always a slightly heavy atmosphere because of the excessive alcohol drunk and the expectation that this had better be a damned good night or else (usually more hits and more party type records). It always seemed like an amazing anti-climax, especially after all the hype that Christmas attracts.
On the other hand, New Years eve was a joy to work. Everybody had had enough turkey and tinsel by then, they'd got fed up hearing the same old Christmas songs and party tunes and just needed to get back to normal. However, because New Year really celebrated something more tangible and was a special night, they used to really party in a great manner. The countdown to 12 midnight used to always be the cue for really letting their hair down from then on. Yep, they were brilliant nights.
What was your experience?