Depending on where you live in the world, getting into the Christmas mood might be a challenge. Most of us associate Christmas with decorations, shopping, gifts, family reunions and most of all – snow. But what if it’s not snowing where you are right now? What if you can’t make it home for the holidays or you’re just not in a position to afford Christmas shopping or lots of Christmas decorations? There’s still a way to get into the Christmas spirit – and music is the best way to do it. Sometimes putting on a good Christmas music playlist is all you need to feel the magic of the festive season and here are some suggestions from us.
Must-Have Christmas Playlist
It’s really hard to pick just a few Christmas songs and say they’re the best because there are so many good ones out there. But we tried our best. So here are some that are a must on your Christmas music playlist
Michael Buble – It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Yes, we know it’s originally by Johnny Mathis, but it’s Michael Buble time now. There are memes all over the internet about Michael Buble emerging from his cave every Christmas and we like it that way. Plus this one has to be the first song. Cause it’s all about the start of the season.
Wham – Last Christmas
I mean, you really can’t have a Christmas playlist and not include this 80s hit. It’s borderline illegal to exclude this. Last Christmas must be played at least once, at every Christmas party, every year.
Mariah Carrey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
This is a modern classic for a number of reasons. It was first released in 1994 and it still remains one of the most popular Christmas songs. And it always goes up in the charts at Christmas time.
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Jingle Bell Rock
This is our favorite version of Jingle Bell Rock. It’s just so fun and merry and groovy you can’t help but start dancing a little. But we have nothing against the original Bobby Helms version. Does it also make you think of Home Alone?
The Pogues – Fairytale of New York
For a fun twist – add this to your Christmas playlist. It’s bound to make you giggle in certain moments and you know, it’s a classic in its own way at this point.
Classic Christmas Music
If your idea of Christmas music is something classy – these tunes should definitely be right up your alley. It doesn’t get classier than this.
Bill Crosby – White Christmas
Did you know that this classic Christmas song was named the best selling single of all time according to the Guinness World Records?
Judy Garland – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Here’s another classic and while we’re at it, you might enjoy rewatching Meet Me in St. Louis, which was the whole reason behind Judy Garland recording this song for the first time.
Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song
Chances are you know this song as that one Christmas song that goes “chestnuts roasting on an open fire”, but few people know that it’s actually called The Christmas Song.
Dean Martin – Let It Snow
Many of you might think this is a song by Frank Sinatra, but in fact, it was Dean Martin who sang it first. It has since been re-recorded by many other singers. The funny thing is that originally it was written in the summer of 1945 by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in Hollywood in the middle of a heatwave. It doesn’t even mention Christmas in the lyrics.
Brenda Lee – Rocking Around The Christmas Tree
It’s such a popular Christmas song and you’ve probably beard it every single year in movies and just walking around malls before Christmas, but did you know that Brenda Lee recorded it when she was only 13 years old?
Christmas Music For Kids
Kids just need songs that sound fun and have a fun character or a fun activity in it to like them. So you know, snowmen, reindeer, bells, sleighs and the lot should do the job.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
You might have trouble naming all of Santa’s reindeer, but everyone remembers Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. The lyrics might be a bit questionable when you think about them, but hey, you can also interpret it as an example of how being different can be an advantage.
Frosty the Snowman
It’s a song most of us have known from childhood and it’ll probably be one of the first Christmas songs your child will get to know too. All together now “That’s Frosty the Snowman he’s a jolly happy soul, With a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal.”
Jingle Bells
Repetitive and simple lyrics, a fun adventure in a one-horse open sleigh, what kid wouldn’t want to be part of that? Plus it’s possibly the most recognised Christmas song out there. In fact, it was the first song to be played in outer space according to the Smithsonian.
Deck The Halls
Even if your kid doesn’t know the lyrics to the song they can still join in and have fun singing the fa-la-la-la-la la-la la-la part over and over again. I still do that and I’m not even a kid.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
As an adult, it sounds creepy, but hey, it’s a great way to motivate kids to behave before Christmas. Kids don’t get how weird it sounds they just get excited about Santa Claus coming to town.
Traditional Christmas Music
If you’re looking for traditional Christmas songs – look no further. There’s nothing more traditional than Christmas Carols, right?
Carol of Bells
Most of the English speaking world knows this song as the Carol of the Bells by John Williams. But actually, it was written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914.
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
It’s really weird hearing that lit of gifts “a true love sent to me” in 2019 because let’s be real, what would you possibly with all those birds. Probably make vines – “look at all those chickens”.
Silent Night
If you’re a fan of religious carols – Silent Night is a classic for a reason. It’s all about the true meaning of Christmas – Christ being born.
Joy To The World
If you want to feel truly joyous this carol will be perfect. Every note of it is so full of joy it’s bursting at the seams. You can’t listen to it and not feel uplifted.
Ding Dong! Merrily on High
Another carol that will make you smile. If not because of the message in it and the lovely Christmas music, we know you can’t sing the words “ding dong” and not smile. It’s just funny.