Giving Pokémon Gifts... with Santa Included

Prof. Oak: I'm giving Santa a Pikachu this Christmas

Ash: Wow! Just like the one you gave to me?

Prof. Oak: That's right-

I'll hide it in my stocking

And he'll find it rather shocking

Ash: Ha ha ha!

Prof. Oak: 'Cause giving gifts to Santa's quite a novelty...

-- "I'm Giving Santa a Pikachu This Christmas", from Pokémon Christmas Bash

As I brought up last year (see below), the giving of gifts on Christmas is rooted in part thanks to a certain poem and otherwise by tradition. Considering what is involved, there is also the party of a certain "big red guy" (also see below, two years ago) in play as the giver. But what if the tables were turned, and the giver also becomes the given? This song from the Pokémon Christmas Bash album attempts to shed light on that matter, certainly with a Pokémon perspective.

The song is mostly a duet of Ash and Professor Oak, voiced by the then-current talents of Veronica Taylor and Stan Hart, with some background vocals thrown in. Its verses all begin with the phrase that makes up the title of this song, leading both characters to discuss what makes Pikachu such a wonder and how that wonder might just assist the "big red guy". And as noted way back near the beginning of this blog, it has a karaoke version, one of the only two tracks on the album with this property.

Now, for that perspective, the statement of Professor Oak as above captures what might be the sentiments of most people, that it is a "novelty" or unusual thing to give a gift to the "big red guy". But in the vein of Pokémon, it may be not all that strange if Pokémon and all people related to it (including fans) want to "give back" somehow to the figure, and that leads to the conception of the song. After all, Pokémon gifts are still somehow involved on the occasion of the holiday.

Of course, as further noted in the preceding post, certain people consider the song as being "kooky" or even "cheesy", an oddity among today's Christmas songs and classics. Still, I'm inclined to think that those who have such considerations haven't embraced the perspective presented by the song or Pokémon elements, or maybe even both. Beyond this apparent consideration, the song may just make both Pokémon fans and people celebrating this occasion think about what it all means.

Regardless of certain perspectives, gifts will always be given somehow on this particular occasion, whether from a certain "big red guy" or from one another. As noted, some of those gifts might just pertain to Pokémon, particularly among those in the know. And to get more people in the know, it might just be necessary to do something as wild and radical as suggested by Ash and Professor Oak in this song to make the (Pokémon) world more cheery and bright, for both a "big red guy" and everyone.

I'm coming down to the wire of songs that I can pull from this album for discussion - and in fact, there are two left, which should fill the voids in the next two years, assuming that I can still keep up discussions for that long. To close the current discussion, however, it's fitting to quote the final set of lyrics from this song to make things come together for this particular occasion. With that, gift giving for everyone on the occasion may just become something that is inherently pertinent. So...

Prof. Oak: I'm giving Santa a Pikachu this Christmas

It's just the perfect thing to do

Ash: And as his sleigh pulls out of sight

We'll hear him calling through the night

All: With a ho-ho-ho

And a "Merry Christmas!"

Pi-ka-chu...

One year ago: The Pokémon Intrigue Before Christmas

Two years ago: It's Gotta Be... A Big and Red Guy

Three years ago: The Mistletoe Dangled Over...

Four years ago: Christmas Song, Really

Five years ago: Let's Go Play with Buddies

Six years ago: Keeping Homes in Hearts

Seven years ago: Cool Wintry Song