He asked his second grade class what they wanted for Christmas, and noticed that almost all of the students had at least one front tooth missing as they answered in a lisp.

[1][2] The song was introduced in 1948 by singing group The Satisfiers on Perry Como's radio show,[4] and originally recorded for RCA Victor by Spike Jones and His City Slickers on December 6, 1947, with lead vocal by George Rock.

[2] The song has also been recorded by numerous other singers and performers, including Ray Stevens,[6] George Strait, Danny Kaye with The Andrews Sisters, Urbie Green, The Platters, Dread Zeppelin, The Kelly Family,[7] Nat King Cole (reportedly Gardner's favorite version),[1] The Chipmunks, the Hampton String Quartet, The Three Stooges, Comedian Dick Emery and Count von Count of Sesame Street.

In the versions by Spike, The Chipmunks (Theodore on lead vocals), and Ray Stevens, the song ends with the performer shouting the words "Happy New Year!!!"

[9] The Spike Jones version of "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.