Elf on the Shelf Ban + Easy Karaoke Hits

Summary

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Episode Summary: "Elf on the Shelf Ban + Easy Karaoke Hits"

The Nightly (Hatch Podcasts) – December 19, 2025
Hosts: kp & Josh

Overview

This cozy, late-night episode of The Nightly welcomes listeners into a relaxed “pillow fort” of pop culture advice and bedtime conversation. kp and Josh answer listener questions about creating meaningful family holiday traditions (including a spirited stand against Elf on the Shelf) and serve up confidence-boosting karaoke song recommendations for first-timers. With their signature warmth and playful banter, the hosts reassure listeners that traditions and musical sing-alongs can (and should!) be low-stress and high-fun.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Maximizing Home Coziness

(00:46–03:17)

• kp shares updates about making their home extra cozy for winter: new soundbar, TV mount, and plans for blackout curtains.
• Josh relates with his own blackout curtain experience:

  “I wake up in the morning and I’m like, is it 4am? Is it 10am? I do not know.” (01:19, Josh)

• Conversation spirals into the science of circadian rhythms and a possibly apocryphal story about a “bear den” sleep study.

  “They put this man in like a bear den… and we’ll see what the human’s natural circadian rhythm is.” (02:34, kp)

• Both agree on the value of re-interpreting cozy routines for personal comfort.

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2. Listener Question: Establishing Family Holiday Traditions

(03:48–11:50)
Listener Melissa (new parent) asks for favorite holiday tradition ideas.

• Gift-Giving Excitement
  kp describes their family’s inability to wait:

  “My mom would be too excited for us to open our presents. And so…on Christmas Eve evening, we would open one present just to get the ball rolling. And then… we would end up opening all of our presents on Christmas Eve.” (05:00, kp)

• Josh shares logistical realness about Hanukkah gifts when traveling, leading to his family simplifying to fewer, more meaningful gifts.

  “We recently simplified...we’ve consolidated a little bit, and it just makes things logistically easier.” (07:27, Josh)

• Friends as Family
  Josh suggests “whoever’s around” gatherings, like a Christmas Eve Friendsgiving, for those far from family.
• Ornament Tradition
  kp’s family gives one special ornament per year, often reflecting interests (“...a guitar for my sibling if that year they really enjoyed playing guitar.” 09:16, kp). They suggest thrifting vintage ornaments for an extra-special touch.
• Choosing, Not Inheriting Traditions
  Both hosts stress the freedom to create or adapt traditions, including parting ways with ones that cause stress rather than joy.

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3. The Great Elf on the Shelf Ban

(10:17–11:50)

• kp and Josh both emphatically reject Elf on the Shelf:

  “I can’t be doing the elf guy.” (10:17, kp)
  “That is just a snitch for babies.” (10:26, Josh)

• kp highlights the burden placed on parents:

  “...the amount of effort we are forcing these parents to do when it already seems like the hardest thing in the world is to have a baby… And then you’re making these elves… It won’t be happening in my home.” (10:29–10:49, kp)

• They discuss how creating elaborate traditions (like scavenger hunts) can set unrealistic long-term expectations:

  “My mom, one year for Easter did like a crazy scavenger Easter egg hunt… Unfortunately, every Easter up until this one… we’re like, are you going to do that again?... I can’t set the Elf on the Shelf precedent that he’s a mischief maker every day.” (11:17–11:37, kp)

• Both agree: Know your limits; traditions should reduce, not add, stress.

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4. Listener Question: Beginner Karaoke Hits

(12:10–19:44)
Listener Mark wants confidence-building karaoke song suggestions.

• Josh’s Karaoke Philosophy:

  “Find a song that you love and that you have a hunch that...everyone knows well, and then kind of open it up to the room for participation. Right. Nostalgia often helps.” (12:42–12:58, Josh)

• Top Beginner-Friendly Picks:
  • “Mr. Brightside” (The Killers) – Unifying chorus, limited vocal range.
  • “All the Small Things” (Blink-182) – “Quite a talky range. People are really going to sing that chorus.” (13:57, kp)
  • “I Want It That Way” (Backstreet Boys) – Especially great for a duet/switching verses.
  • “Wannabe” (Spice Girls) – Guaranteed sing-along.
  • “Torn” (Natalie Imbruglia) – Crowd pleaser with bonus points for theatrics;

    “I am on the floor...not lying naked per se, but I am lying on the floor.” (19:19–19:33, kp)

  • “It’s Tricky” (Run DMC), “Rollin’” (Limp Bizkit) – If you’re ready for playful rapping or more intensity.
• Key Karaoke Tips:
  • “Keep it short, keep it familiar, look for help.” (15:26, Josh)
  • Choose songs within a manageable vocal range: “So many times you see someone try to sing Don’t Stop Believin’...and then it gets to the end and...they don’t have the vocal range.” (15:10, Josh)
  • Always preview lyrics for any language/content concerns.
  • Bring a second person up for a duet to spread the nerves and boost fun.
  • Don’t be afraid to inject personality—one friend does Weird Al every time:

    “And that’s so funny. That’s what he’s doing. He’s...doing that or the B52s. And that’s his personality.” (17:55–18:02, kp & Josh)

  • Hosts recall personal experiences singing songs their friends didn’t know, and emphasize the importance of picking things with broad appeal but not at the expense of enjoyment.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Home Cozy-fying:
  “I really have been getting my home maximalized for coziness.” (00:47, kp)

• On Traditions:
  “You can create new traditions. You can innovate off of old traditions. You don’t have to keep participating in traditions that don’t feel good or fun or satisfying.” (04:32, Josh)

• On Saying No to Elf on the Shelf:
  “...the amount of effort we are forcing these parents to do when it already seems like the hardest thing in the world is to have a baby...It won’t be happening in my home.” (10:29–10:49, kp)
  “That is just a snitch for babies.” (10:26, Josh)

• On Beginner Karaoke:
  “Find a song that you love and...everyone knows well, and then...open it up to the room for participation.” (12:42, Josh)
  “Look for the helpers. That’s how Mr. Rogers suggests you start picking a karaoke song.” (15:31, kp)
  “There is also this kind of genre of songs that aren’t great songs but are great karaoke songs...Charisma, movement, personality.” (18:38–18:50, Josh & kp)

• On Performance Flair:
  “Every time they say ‘lying naked on the floor’, I am on the floor. And...there’s sort of a sing along aspect, a move along dance with it. That can work because she’s describing stuff and I’m doing it.” (19:19–19:33, kp)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:46–03:17: Cozy home tips, blackout curtains, and sleep science banter
• 03:48–11:50: Family traditions brainstorming and the Elf on the Shelf anti-recommendation
• 12:10–19:44: Karaoke song advice: easy hits, duet ideas, and performance tips

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Final Thoughts

With playful camaraderie and realistic advice, kp and Josh make the case for joyful, self-designed holiday traditions and low-pressure karaoke fun. Their gentle humor and honest takes provide real comfort and inspiration for listeners looking to unwind and embrace connection, minus the stress of impossible holiday (or pop star) standards.

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Transcript

[A]

Hello. You're about to drift into an episode of the Nightly, a podcast designed to help you unwind and relax. For the full phone free immersive light experience, visit Hatch Co. Enjoy.

[B]

Wow, what a beautiful evening. Good evening, I'm kp.

[A]

And I'm Josh. Welcome to the Nightly on Hatch, where coziness is always trending. Kp, it's so nice to see you.

[B]

It is so nice to see and hear you, Josh.

[A]

How have you been?

[B]

I've been well, I've been really just kind of cozying up. I know that's sort of trite to say on a cozy podcast like this, but I really have been getting my home maximalized for coziness. Before the hibernation season, I got a sound bar for my tv.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

That'll kind of create a nice movie watching experience. I think I mounted my tv.

[A]

Whoa.

[B]

The next thing is curtains. I really need to get some curtains. That will help.

[A]

My wife recently got some, you know, off the rack blackout curtains. And it. I wake up in the morning and I'm like, is it 4am? Is it 10am? I do not know.

[B]

That's what I feel.

[A]

Which I like that feeling.

[B]

Okay, Okay. I think I've heard this and I felt this. I one year lived in like a basement apartment and I missed 60% of my college classes. It was just. I could not figure out what time it was.

[A]

I may have said this to you before on the podcast, but I knew a guy in college who blacked out his windows, painted his whole room black.

[B]

You did?

[A]

Yeah, I did tell you.

[B]

Yeah. But it's, I mean, it's insane.

[A]

I think about it so often because of like what an unbelievable commitment. And if, you know, if listeners haven't heard this story before, it is the reason that he did that was that so he could sleep at any time that his body felt like it needed sleep and he was never being influenced by the light of day.

[B]

They did that study, circadian rhythm study where they like put somebody in a den, a bear den, for like a year. And then, I mean, this is what I remember. Which, you know, I always. This always compromised. Yeah, no, they put this man in like a bare den.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And we're like, sleep when you think it's night, be awake when you think it's day, and we'll see what the human's natural circadian rhythm is. And it was like a 23 hour day. So it was like he, he started to get a little more off as the year went on. But it was quite close. He felt Tired, pretty much at similar points.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

I'm glad you think that's interesting. I would assume that I have 3% of that, correct? That's right. I read that article, you know, probably 12 years ago.

[A]

So the 3% of what you told me that I retain a month from now, I will recite it to the best of my recollection, regardless of the amount of truth in it.

[B]

Well, speaking of from horses mouths, we have some listeners that have come to us, the ultimate truth tellers. Some advice and some questions and I think we let them have it. What do you think?

[A]

I think this is great. I can't wait to influence the hearts and minds of our listeners by two.

[B]

People that have it all together.

[A]

We know what we're doing.

[B]

I'll get into our first one here. This is from a lovely listener and a reminder, by the way, to anyone listening, you could submit your questions to the thenightlyatch co. That's right. This one's from Melissa and she says hi. The nightly crew. I have a question. I recently had my first baby.

[A]

Congratulations.

[B]

Yeah. And it's making me think a lot about holiday traditions. We have a chance to create our family traditions around the holidays, but I don't even know where to start. What are some of your favorite family traditions you had growing up? Or what are some you would like to start?

[A]

This is a good question.

[B]

Really a gorgeous question. I love that. I mean, you're clearly an amazing parent already thinking of what adorable little traditions that your little one is going to have. I love that.

[A]

And I think it's so nice to consider holiday traditions and other traditions, the kind of thing that, like, you can play around with. Right? Like you can create new traditions. You can innovate off of old traditions. You don't have to keep participating in traditions that like, don't feel good or fun or satisfying.

[B]

I have one that comes to mind that my family does.

[A]

What's that?

[B]

And this is very us. This is not a tradition that we sought to do. This is just the way it's ended up. I and my mother and my sibling, we all just simply can't keep a secret. We get too excited. And so my mom would be too excited for us to open our presents. And so on Christmas Eve evening, she'd go, all right, do you want one? Just open one. Just open one. So on Christmas Eve evening, we would open one present just to get the ball rolling. And then she would see how excited we were. And then we would end up opening all of our presents on Christmas Eve.

[A]

I Love. That's so cute.

[B]

It's very, very us. And I feel the same way. Whenever I buy someone like a birthday present, even if it's like a month out, I'm like, oh, I just gotta give it to you now.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So this is. That art tradition is excitedly opening one present on Christmas Eve evening and let that snowball into as many as you're allowed to do.

[A]

That's really fun. I got a present for my wife for an upcoming gift giving occasion. And it arrived a month and a half, you know, seven weeks early. Because it was like a. I got it from a person, not from a store. And I wanted to make sure that I got the thing that I wanted. And the box came and she was like, oh, what's that? What came in the mail? Nothing.

[B]

Put that down. Don't worry about it.

[A]

It's nothing. Which is like so funny that it's just like. And we don't have a big enough apartment where there's great hiding places.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So it's just kind of sitting tucked away in a corner. It's like, nope, not yet. But I want to just give it to her now and then get another present for the occasion.

[B]

That's always the thing when you give too early. Then it's like, well, I have to still get you some. So you end up buying double. But that's.

[A]

That's for sure.

[B]

Isn't gift giving the reason for the seas? I like giving gifts, so I do. That's fine. The one more tradition that as an adult, this is gonna be long. Cause your baby's still fresh out the oven. But when they are an adult, the tradition that I have that I really like is we now only do one present per person.

[A]

Oh, that's nice.

[B]

And we're a small family, so this works. But I am like, we can't be doing. It's too much. We don't need the stress. So it is just everyone buys. Like my sibling will buy, you know, go to our farmer's market, get three cans or little mason jars of seeds or whatever. And then just get one for me, one for my mom. We're done.

[A]

That's so nice.

[B]

And I like the anti stress holiday. That's what we currently have.

[A]

I love that we recently simplified that as well. Because my mom, who is so sweet and kind of. She got a lot of joy around eight gifts for eight nights of Hanukkah in the family, which I thought was so thoughtful and so lovely. However, usually I would be taking the train to visit from New York City up to Massachusetts. And so I only had so much physical capacity to, like, carry gifts home. And so, like, the kind of thing that, like, if I was driving or even if I just lived closer, you'd go, oh, that's so nice that you went to all this trouble to, like, have all these different thoughts. So there would be one for each night. It is a little impractical. And so we've consolidated a little bit, and it just makes things logistically easier.

[B]

I mean, holidays are not synonymous with logistical ease. So there's ways to just ease it on up. That's great.

[A]

We do in New York, kind of a who's around Christmas Eve the way people do. Like a friendsgiving.

[B]

Yep, yep, yep.

[A]

And I think, like, that is such a lovely thing, too, to go. Like, oh, this is an evening that maybe people grew up with certain traditions, but we can. If those are not practical, you know, maybe people are far from their family or whatever. It's, like, so nice to celebrate even when we're not celebrating in the traditional way.

[B]

Absolutely. That's a great one. I have another that comes to mind, which is. I think my mom used to do it, that she would get me and my sibling one ornament as one of our gifts. It's like, oh, each year, this is your ornament of the year, and it gets added to the tree. And that's very cute because the tree just gets nice and full and you look back at the interests that you might have had. Like, you know, my mom will get a guitar for my sibling if that year they really enjoyed playing guitar. So it's like you get to look back kind of on the interest that you might have had. That's a cute tradition. I would even go, this is kind of me. Maybe I'll do this someday. Is. I love thrifting. And you can get some really fun vintage ornaments quite easy.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And that could be a fun, like, because they're just so interesting. Yeah, that's really fun of the stuff that you can get. So maybe. I don't know, that might be something I would do is, like, thrift a piece of decor or any ornament per year. And that brings you back to the find that you had.

[A]

I really love that. I think these are such nice places to start, too. Right. Like. Cause again, it's all about picking and choosing to me. You know, obviously, sometimes you'll have family members who go, well, this is really important to me. And then you compromise on that. But when you're setting the stage and setting the tone, you can kind of do it however you want.

[B]

Yeah. And I'll tell you one thing I won't be doing. I'm so sorry, I can't be doing the elf guy.

[A]

Oh, the elf on the shelf.

[B]

He will not be making his way into my.

[A]

That is just a snitch for babies.

[B]

Firstly, a snitch for babies. Secondly, the amount of effort we are forcing these parents to do when it already seems like the hardest thing in the world is to have a baby. And then the holidays are already hard. They're already financially stressful, and then you're making these elves. And I love making magic for children. I think that's beautiful. But the effort they're putting into these little elves, I'll tell you, it won't be happening in my home. Yeah. I can't be thinking of what that elf is doing all the time. And each day he does something.

[A]

How long does that last? How far do you back that out?

[B]

All month.

[A]

That's so much trouble.

[B]

It's too much trouble for my home.

[A]

Send that elf backing.

[B]

And then you have to clean your own mess. You made. Like, there's ones where it's like you dip his little feet in flour and then there's little flower footprints all over your house.

[A]

Oh, yeah, I've seen that.

[B]

And I think it sets a precedent. My mom, one year for Easter did like a crazy scavenger Easter egg hun with like, clues, like escape room style. And then it set a precedent that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Unfortunately, every Easter up until this one, I'd say we're like, are you gonna do that again? It's too hard. It's too hard. So I can't set the Elf on the Shelf precedent that he's a mischief maker every day.

[A]

Yeah, that's too much. I applaud your abstention from Elf on the Shelf participation.

[B]

Yes. We must know ourselves. We must.

[A]

Well, Melissa, I hope that was helpful. And we look forward right back if you have implemented any of these traditions successfully, I would love to hear from you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We have one more listener question before we go today. And this is from a listener named Mark. Mark says. Hey, everyone, you talk a lot about karaoke on the show.

[B]

Drag us.

[A]

You and I especially. I think I've always wanted to try it, but have always been a bit nervous. What are some certified bangers that are easy beginner karaoke songs?

[B]

Gorgeous question.

[A]

Love it.

[B]

It really depends on the person, but I think we can serve up some beginner ones. What comes to mind for you?

[A]

So stuff that you can practice at home? And that you can feel comfortable singing is ultimately gonna be the best if what you're concerned with is giving a good performance. But I would suggest finding a song that you love and that you have a hunch that your friends. If you're doing it with a private room or a party of people, or you just have the vibe of the room you're in that you think everyone knows well, and then kind of open it up to the room for participation. Right. So something no nostalgic often helps. Right. Instead of like, oh, I love this new Sabrina Carpenter song, but maybe not everybody is on that wave yet. But if you're like, oh, this song, like Mr. Brightside by the Killers, is one that just, like, people know and will be excited to join in for the chorus. That's my big thing is, like, do something where people will feel moved to assist.

[B]

Absolutely. Especially. Yeah. A similar one came to my mind where all the small things came to my mind where it was like. And you can get away. If you're like, oh, I haven't sung in public. You're probably gonna wanna do a song that's got, like, a low range, a small range, a talkier song. I think Mr. Brightside, that's not a crazy range, if I remember.

[A]

I don't think so.

[B]

All the small things. Quite a talky range. And truly, people are really gonna sing that chorus. The nostalgia is kind of essential for a beginner. And you wanna make sure you're not niching out too hard, maybe into your personal music taste. But, I mean, if you can really sing it. I've seen people do a song I've never heard of in karaoke, and I'm sad. I'm listening.

[A]

Yeah. I'm googling like, I'm trying to. I'm, like, looking at the lyrics, Googling, what is the song?

[B]

Yes. And I've definitely done some where afterwards, my friends are like, I've never heard that song even one day in my life.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And I go, oh, okay. I did some panic at the disco that I thought were top performers. And people were like, we don't know that band. Like, you know that band.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

And that's okay. They weren't wearing fingerless gloves in high school, and that's okay. Everyone has their thing.

[A]

Yeah. Some people's gloves have fingers.

[B]

News to me. So you're gonna wanna hit them with some stuff that they may have already gotten to. They may have already sung.

[A]

And I think, like, I think listening through in advance is really helpful because a lot of people make the kind of Common mistake of like, oh, this is a big song that everybody knows. Like, so many times you see someone try to sing Don't Stop Believin by Journey. Cause they're like, oh, this is kind of a cheesy song. Everybo knows. And then it gets to the end and you're like, oh, they don't have the vocal range for this.

[B]

I would also say beginner song. Try and do three minutes and under.

[A]

Keep it tight.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Keep it short. Keep it familiar. Look for help.

[B]

Look for the helpers.

[A]

Look for the helpers. That's how Mr. Rogers suggests you start picking a karaoke song.

[B]

Yes. Look to the helpers. I also think. I mean, karaoke hosts are often just so fun and kind. They'll often tell you what usually are the top hits. Like, oh, yeah, Because I have put some in sometimes. And the karaoke host has said, we already heard that song tonight. So I'm gonna ask. I'm gonna suggest another one. And I go, oh, that's good intel. So they'll usually be like, oh, yeah, everybody sings these ones. And go on in. If you're a beginner, get the ones that everybody likes.

[A]

It also helps to, like, do a little skim. If there's, like, language that you aren't comfortable using or people would feel uncomfortable with you using, that is an occ hiccup with choices. And sometimes people assume that they know a song very well, and what they mean is they know the chorus to that song.

[B]

Absolutely. No, there's been tons where I go, oh, well, this is one of the songs I sing in the car all the time.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

I'm only coming in on the chorus.

[A]

Only coming in.

[B]

Gotta be aware.

[A]

And then you're in the car. You don't notice that.

[B]

Also, I guess I would say, well, I'm quite charmed usually by a duet. So you could bring somebody up, and that's gonna do some heavy lifting for you.

[A]

Yeah, that's really nice.

[B]

I'm trying to think of some, like, really the duets that hit. I mean, there's usually an I Got yout Babe. I don't find that to be a standing ovation one for me. But I think that's a nice song.

[A]

My wife and I have occasionally done it's tricky by Run DMC, which is 80s, but it is. It is a rap song with not. The lyrics are not especially intricate. So if that's your vibe, then that's one that it's, like, fun to toss back and forth.

[B]

A Backstreet Boy. You could switch off on the Verses I Want it that way is probably gonna do just fine.

[A]

Great karaoke song.

[B]

Yeah. I think that audiences are enjoying still hearing that song. So you can bring somebody up and switch on the verses. Especially if it's like a boy band one, a Spice Girls one is probably always gonna be just fine.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

These nostalgia ones will hit, but then. Yeah. Once you get in the beginners with the songs that'll hit. But you can choose some that are really of your personality. My friend really does Weird Al every time.

[A]

And that's so funny.

[B]

That's what he's doing. He's gonna have to do that or the B52s. And that's his personality.

[A]

Yep. And I think it's good to let that shine.

[B]

You know it is. Yes.

[A]

But for your first time, it's nice to do something that you feel really comfortable and you think will put the room. Eddie's as well.

[B]

Yeah. My friend does a Linkin Park. Wait, no. What's the one that's like. Oh, yeah. Roland. Rollin. Rollin.

[A]

Oh, Limb Bizkit.

[B]

Limp Bizkit.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

And if you've got the cajones for that one, it really brings the house down. And I love watching her do it. That's a really nice jump in now jump out.

[A]

Something like hands up, hands down.

[B]

That one really works. And I have a good time listening to that.

[A]

There is also this kind of genre of songs that aren't great songs but are great karaoke songs.

[B]

Yes. Charisma, movement, personality.

[A]

Yes. Totally. And just like, oh, a sense of. I remember this where if you were in a Walgreens and it came on on the speakers, you'd be like, ugh. But like, someone deciding to sing it and really investing in their performance is delightful.

[B]

Yeah. You got a full send if you can too. I mean, this is. Now, this song is overdone at karaoke, but I do find that with my movement, maybe it's still charming. Is Torn. Natalie Imbruglia is one of the top.

[A]

Oh, sure.

[B]

But I do every time they say lying naked on the floor, I am on the floor. And, you know, there's sort of a sing along aspect, a move along dance with it. That can work because she's describing stuff and I'm doing it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm not lying naked per se, but I am lying on the floor.

[A]

Yeah, I think that's lying floor. That's two out of three. And as Meelo said, two out of three ain't bad.

[B]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

Well, Mark, I look forward. I definitely want to hear back and if people have again, write in with your favorite karaoke songs. Beginner level at first, of course, for this to satisfy this curiosity, but absolutely. I can't wait.

[B]

I think I'm turning in. I'm going to have the song in my heart for the rest of the night. And I'm going to go to bed right now.

[A]

You know, I think that's a great idea. I'm getting pretty sleepy, too.

[B]

Good night, Josh.

[A]

Good night.

[B]

Sa.

[A]

Foreign. To learn more about our phone free light and audio experience, head to Hatch co. You can also follow us at HatchPodcasts.