Home » Holidays & Celebrations » Christmas » Christmas Parties

Making a Christmas Music Play List

Ranked #17,925 in Holidays & Celebrations, #321,687 overall | Donates to KIVA

Holiday Music Sets the Mood and Lifts Spirits

Whether you're having a gathering or simply want a soundtrack for your family's celebrations, Christmas carols and holiday songs help take the edge off winter's chill and remind people that holidays are for celebrating your beliefs and each other rather than getting "stuff". I've compiled a list of fabulous Christmas and holiday songs, and have even gone so far as to recommend a particular performer for some of them.

Create your own play list as the background for your holiday celebrations, whether from your computer or on a modern "mix tape" on your stereo. You'll find much of this music readily available on-line for very little. It'll be an instant tradition, and one that you can pass along to your loved ones as simply as burning them a CD of the songs.

Each song is linked to its lyrics, so if you've always wondered about the second verse for Jingle Bells, you can find the words here. You will also be able to understand what the angels we have heard on high were saying, sing O Tannanbaum and Adeste Fidelis, and learn a little history for some of these Christmas carols.

Christmas Song Categories and Sources for Holiday Music

How to Find Songs on This Lens

  1. What Sorts of Songs Are Listed?
  2. Get Started with Christmas Music Compilations
  3. The Quintessential Christmas Music Album
  4. Weather-Related Christmas Songs
  5. Sample Christmas Carols and Holiday Songs
  6. Christmas Carols Rooted in Religion
  7. Aretha Franklin's "This Christmas"
  8. Holiday Fun Songs
  9. Other Holiday Songs: Nature and People
  10. Another Fantastic, Ready-Made Christmas Play List
  11. Vote for Your Favorite Holiday Song
  12. Ask Elvis about Christmas Music
  13. More Great Holiday Music
  14. What Other Holiday Songs Are on Your Christmas Play List?

What Sorts of Songs Are Listed?

Because everyone has different family traditions and backgrounds, no two people will have the same favorites. The songs listed here are classics and, for various reasons, are special to me. You may have other Christmas carols or holiday songs that you hold dear. If you do, I invite you to add them to the guest book below. I'd love to expand the list, especially for a particularly great song. I also fear that I've forgotten a few, and so this list remains a work in progress.

I've grouped the songs by loose category, but I'd recommend mixing and matching from all of them for your play list, unless you're going for a theme. Some folks prefer more religious songs for Christmas celebrations and some like festive winter music for a holiday party. I like a little of both. I like a lot of both, actually. Your Christmas play list should reflect your feelings about the holiday season.

You'll also find my favorite album of Christmas songs (from the ever-loved Bing Crosby), samples of Elvis Presley singing a hunka-hunka holiday music, and clips from Aretha Franklin's new album, "This Christmas". I've also recommended some other Christmas compilations of holiday songs, to get your play list started.

Get Started with Christmas Music Compilations

Check Out These Fabulous Holiday Song Albums!

You can save time and money on your Christmas play list by starting with a compilation of holiday songs that includes most of your favorites. Choosing a compilation rather than an album with songs from one artist means that you'll get a lot more variety in the sound on your play list.
Loading

The Quintessential Christmas Music Album

From Bing Crosby, of course.

White Christmas

White Christmas

Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

It just isn't Christmas without Bing Crosby. His smooth, mellow voice and fabulous back-up musicians make every song on this album a delight. He's a tradition, from when Hollywood went holiday in style.

Weather-Related Christmas Songs

Love the Snow, and Sing About It

Sample Christmas Carols and Holiday Songs

From the Traditional to the Modern

If you've a hankering for some Christmas music, here is a holiday-themed pile of songs to get you started.

Christmas Carols Rooted in Religion

There's a reason for the season, after all, and it isn't just Santa Claus and jingle bells. Here are some of the best religious songs for Christmas, selected for their beauty and their meaning. I know that I've left off dozens, if not hundreds, but these are my personal favorites. Customize your Christmas carol play list with the ones that hold the most meaning to you.

Aretha Franklin's "This Christmas"

Her latest album of holiday songs.

Aretha Franklin/This Christmas

Aretha Franklin/This Christmas

by: Aretha Franklin

Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Aretha Franklin released a beautiful album in 2010 that combines traditional Christmas carols with modern holiday songs. Silent Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and Angels We Have Heard on High nestle beside new tunes like My Grown-Up Christmas List and the title track, all with that beautiful voice. For fans of the Queen of Soul, this is a must-have for your Christmas play list.

Holiday Fun Songs

Some silly and happy songs to enjoy this holiday season

Other Holiday Songs: Nature and People

Another Fantastic, Ready-Made Christmas Play List

A Holiday Compiltation the Swings!

In the Christmas Mood

In the Christmas Mood

Amazon Price: $112.86 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Three discs, including eight dances from the Nutcracker Suite, traditional carols, modern holiday songs, and generally celebrating Christmas, Big Band swing music, and Glenn Miller. The songs were recorded using Mr. Miller's arrangements and musicians and vocalists that worked with him.

You'll find songs on "In the Christmas Mood" from all of the lists here, and much more. If you're a fan of Big Band, Glenn Miller, or holiday songs, this album will complement nearly any gathering. It's fun without being obtrusive, danceable without being bass-heavy, and most people will instantly recognize just about every one of the 39 tracks (some three- or four-song medleys) on the discs.

Vote for Your Favorite Holiday Song

If you choose "I Love Another", please add your favorite in my guest book. I'm a curious sort!

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Ask Elvis about Christmas Music

He'd tell you that there are songs enough, both modern and traditional, to make a play list as long as any holiday party, with more to spare.

More Great Holiday Music

Lyrics, Sheet Music, Recommendations, and More

Loading

What Other Holiday Songs Are on Your Christmas Play List?

Let me know if I've overlooked a Christmas gem or completely ignored your favorite holiday song. If you found the songs you love, drop me a note about that, too!

  • NanLT Oct 19, 2009 @ 4:18 pm | delete
    I've linked you to my top 10 favourite Christmas songs lens.
  • WeddingZazzle Oct 5, 2009 @ 2:17 pm | delete
    Great idea for a lens. Job well done!
  • The_Party_Animal Jan 1, 2009 @ 10:25 am | delete
    Yahoo you are a winner in The Squidoo Home for The Holidays Lens Contest So Go Grab your badge.
  • Mortira Nov 27, 2008 @ 1:23 am | delete
    My favorite Christmas album is Boney-M Christmas. It recently made a comeback, which is great because my old CD is ready for the bin! Thanks for sharing this great selection!
  • Webcodes Nov 5, 2008 @ 12:05 am | delete
    Great lens, wow.. christmas is almost coming. 5*.
  • Not-Pop Nov 4, 2008 @ 8:07 am | delete
    I'm going to have to look into that - the idea of Bing and Bowie singing "White Christmas" intrigues me! [in reply to kiwisoutback]
  • paperfacets Nov 3, 2008 @ 9:03 pm | delete
    This is attractive. Good idea and lots of sources.
  • kiwisoutback Nov 3, 2008 @ 7:51 pm | delete
    My wife is in love with the Mariah Carey Christmas CD, not sure what the name is. Not my favorite, but it came to mind. Also, I think there's a Bing Crosby/David Bowie collaboration that's pretty popular (I'm pretty sure it was Bing Crosby anyway). Nice work!
  • Not-Pop Oct 28, 2008 @ 1:11 pm | in reply to drenee | delete
    Ooh, that would be a fabulous addition - I love her voice. Thanks for letting me know.
  • drenee Oct 28, 2008 @ 9:23 am | delete
    I like it, I'm new to squidoo too so if you have a chance stop by and rate my articles. I especially like the album choices. Aretha Franklin is promoting her new Christmas album, I just saw it on Oprah. That CD will be a hot seller............
Show All

by

Not-Pop

It's all about music - my song recommendations blog, cover songs, lyrics, and artist profiles. I also write about jazz and blues standards and include... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags