Jingle Bell Rock

This was Janet Frame's sound-activated novelty Xmas Tree. It looked like a fairly harmless artificial tree, but when activated it sprang into a most alarming loud chorus of "Jingle Bell Rock", and this not entirely benign-looking face appeared, accompanied by a lascivious hip-swaying and eyebrow-raising and wide open mouth-flapping. The eyes lit up too!

For several years, it alarmed many a visitor at Janet's house at holiday season, lying in wait like a booby trap. It did the same to her cat Penny, and later her cat Chilli, and to various friends and family members, and it even managed to catch Janet by surprise now and then too, sometimes seeming to be set off by the smallest sound or movement.

Somebody has posted a clip of the same kind of tree, on youtube.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish my friends and well-wishers a very Happy Christmas and to thank you for all your support in this very difficult year.