Though jingle bells jingling on sleighs dashing through the snow is a long-known custom in cold climes, the words jingle bells, for most people, mean the famous song of the same name. Written in 1857 by American James Pierpoint, the song is now known around the world and even in space. Jingle Bells was, in fact, the first song broadcast from space in 1965 by the Gemini 6 astronauts.

The song remains a classic and has been given new spins, from country to reggae, rock 'n' roll, jazz, and more. In fact, the song Jingle Bell Rock is now almost as well known as the original song. There now exists a huge range of not only different renditions of the song, but also sheet music from recent and not-so-recent times. For children of all ages, the song instantly conjures up the idea of Christmas joy.

For those who love the sound of jingle bells themselves at Christmas, or any time of year, there's a wide variety of jingle bell items out there waiting for collectors. You can find real jingle bells attached to leather or fabric strips, which are great for not only your sleigh, but also your front door. You'll also find jingle bell-adorned items from candles to teddy bears.

You can add some exotic influence by purchasing a set of jingle bells from the East. India uses jingle bells as part of their national traditions, and finding beautiful, large brass Indian jingle bells is easier than you might think. eBay is the largest source online where you can make a bid and then look forward to the sound of jingle bells in your home next Christmas.