Randy Travis' An Old Time Christmas, a 1989 holiday album that's been certified gold, features just one song co-written by the artist. Travis penned "How Do I Wrap My Heart Up For Christmas," a seasonal dose of tender romance, with like-minded songwriter Paul Overstreet.
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It became a favorite Christmas song of Travis' future wife, Mary Travis.
"Christmas music always takes you somewhere," she told Wide Open Country. "It takes you home in your memories. The one he wrote, 'How Do I Wrap My Heart Up For Christmas,' is just the sweetest song."
Overstreet co-wrote three of Travis' best-known songs with Don Schlitz: "Forever and Ever, Amen," "Deeper Than the Holler" and "On the Other Hand."
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The reissued and remastered version of An Old Time Christmas from 2021 adds Keith Whitley co-write "There's a New Kid in Town," Roger Miller's "Little Toy Trains" and holiday standard "White Christmas" to a tracklist highlighted by renditions of classic country songs (Willie Nelson's "Pretty Paper") and timeless carols ("Santa Claus is Coming to Town").
Travis' fans celebrated two 35th anniversaries in 2021: the release of his debut album Storms of Life and his Grand Ole Opry induction.
"How Do I Wrap My Heart Up For Christmas" Lyrics
Silver bells are ringing
Carolers are singing
Snowflakes drifting through the air
Everybody shopping
Got no time for stopping
It looks like Christmas is here
So tell me
How do I wrap my heart up for Christmas?
I want to give it to you
Pretty bows and ribbons
Don't fit the gift I'm givin'
Your loving arms will have to do
At first I thought of giving you a pretty diamond ring
Wore myself out shopping for a million other things
Finally decided on something you can't buy
But how will I disguise it so you will be surprised?
How do I wrap my heart up for Christmas?
I want to give it to you
Pretty bows and ribbons
Don't fit the gift I'm givin'
Your loving arms will have to do
A gift of love was given to the world so long ago
Lying in a manger He was wrapped in swaddling clothes
And every year we celebrate and thank the Lord above
And give to one another our little gifts of love
How do I wrap my heart up for Christmas?
I want to give it to you
Pretty bows and ribbons
Don't fit the gift I'm givin'
Your loving arms will have to do
Pretty bows and ribbons
Don't fit the gift I'm givin'
Your loving arms will have to do
