It was nearing 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 and there was only Amanda Rettig, her son and mother-in-law standing beside the Christmas tree in Belmont Center. 

But soon came a family from Newton, then some from Belmont. A steady number of folks, mostly families with small children in strollers or riding on the shoulders of their parents arrived.

Finally, more than two dozen – with more on the way – Rettig, who organized the event on-line and through word of mouth, welcomed everyone to the first ... by the way, what is it being called?

"This isn't a formal event. It's a gathering to sing carols," said the Belmont resident who use to go caroling as a child in her hometown in Connecticut, commenting as her husband and other child arrived with her father-in-law in tow. 

And soon with the help of a very good singer – who volunteered to get each song started – this merry bunch of carolers began singing from hand outs, iPads and smart phones "Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer."

Each of the 13 or so Christmas songs were limited to two verses for the sake of small children's attention spans. But the enthusiasm was there through renditions of "We Three Kings," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and especially "Feliz Navidad."

It took about a half hour to run through the "play list" before the event ended with people vowing to come again.

"I will certainly be back next year. This was a great success. Everyone had fun and maybe we can start a tradition in Belmont," said Rettig.