The Empty Pockets are throwing a party at the North Pole

The Empty Pockets are an American rock and roll band featuring husband-and-wife team Josh Solomon and Erika Brett as well as Nate Bellon and Adam Balasco. Their sound blends classic rock, blues, soul and Americana. Known for their energetic live performances and tight harmonies, the band has developed a following well beyond its Chicago home, touring extensively and sharing stages with artists including the late Gary Sinise, Buddy Guy, and Cheap Trick.

But what recently grabbed my attention was their fantastic 2022 Christmas collection, Party at the North Pole. A favorite is “Let It Snow,” a fresh, blues-rock take on the familiar holiday standard. The Empty Pockets give this classic holiday tune some welcomed musical muscle, fitting naturally with the band's rootsy sound and the rest of this terrific album.

Party at the North Pole is particularly fun because it mixes original Christmas material with familiar favorites. The six-song core release includes the title track, “Let It Snow,” “Snow Day,” “Snow Shoes,” “The Tree That Refused to Grow,” and a live version of “Blue Christmas.” The digital album expands the collection with live performances of “Run Run Rudolph,” “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night,” giving the recording the feel of a holiday concert as much as a studio recording. A must-have for your holiday playlist and collection!

The 2026 Official White House Christmas Ornament celebrates America's 250th anniversary, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The ornament features the Declaration printed on linen and framed in an ornate brass setting with a 24-karat gold finish. The reverse displays an etched image of the White House alongside American flags, connecting the nation's founding to the institution of the presidency.

The annual design is selected by the White House Historical Association, the nonprofit organization founded by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. Each year, the Association researches a historical theme and works with a designer to create an ornament honoring a president, significant event, or White House milestone. The 2026 edition marks the 45th year of the tradition, which began in 1981 during Ronald Reagan's presidency. Beacon Design, a division of Rhode Island-based ChemArt, has manufactured every official ornament since the program began.

The 2026 ornament sells for $26.95 and is available through the White House Historical Association's online store at shop.whitehousehistory.org, as well as select locations in Washington, D.C. Proceeds support the Association's mission of preserving and sharing White House history. What began as a presidential holiday collectible has grown into a beloved annual tradition, bringing a little American history to Christmas trees across the country.