Written 11th October 2024 | Subscribe to our Christmas newsletter
Answer: "Jingle Bells" was originally written for Thanksgiving in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont.
It was titled "One Horse Open Sleigh" and became so popular during the Christmas season that it eventually became a holiday classic.
James Lord Pierpont wrote Jingle Bells in 1857, and while many associate the song with Christmas, it was actually composed for a Thanksgiving church service in Savannah, Georgia. Pierpont's original title was One Horse Open Sleigh, reflecting the popular sleigh races in the snow during wintertime.
The song's lively rhythm and imagery of dashing through the snow made it a fun celebration of winter activities, not necessarily Christmas.
It wasn't until later, as the song gained popularity, that it became closely linked with Christmas traditions. The cheerful tone and mention of snow made it fit perfectly with the festive atmosphere of the holiday season, despite not mentioning Christmas at all.
By the early 20th century, it had become one of the most iconic Christmas songs, especially in the United States and around the world.
Interestingly, Jingle Bells also made history as the first song to be broadcast from space in December 1965. Astronauts aboard NASA’s Gemini 6 performed it using a harmonica and sleigh bells, making it an unforgettable moment in space exploration and holiday history!
