Whether you start listening to it right after Halloween or you just started this week, I think we can all agree that Christmas music is a vital and timeless part of the holiday season. When you’re on your morning drive, decorating your tree, shopping for the holidays, or even just doing your homework, Christmas music makes whatever you’re doing a little more cheerful. Everyone has their preferences, but here are some of the best songs from a few different categories (in my opinion). 

Most people love the classics. Micheal Buble, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and more. Some are more upbeat than others, but more often than not, these songs sound like sitting on a soft couch with a big blanket by the fireplace. It’s snowing outside, and your hot chocolate warms your hands. The Christmas tree glows bright and the ornaments twinkle pleasantly. Some of my favorite Christmas classics include, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams, White Christmas by Bing Crosby, and It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Micheal Bublé. 

The sound tracks from many Christmas movies have become staples during the holidays. These songs remind us of when we were little kids with hot chocolate mustaches, anticipating the day with so much excitement we couldn’t sleep. When we would write letters and bake cookies for Santa and leave out carrot sticks for the reindeer. Growing up, I adored Christmas movies (which I still do) and I loved the songs so much that I would sing them all the way until July. These songs were usually Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Silver and Gold. 

Another category of Christmas songs that have been loved by kids (and adults) for years are the silly ones. These songs, while they may not be musically genius, are still very catchy and fun to listen to. We learned them in our elementary school music classes in December. My three-year-old sister is too, and everytime we have gotten in the car for the last month she has asked to hear them. She loves them, and always requests for my mom and me to sing along. Her favorites are “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” by Gayla Peeve, “Run Rudolph Run” (specifically the one from the Muppets), and “Dominick the Donkey” by Lou Monte. 

Ever since “Wham!” came out with Last Christmas, every pop star has taken a shot at Christmas music themselves. Some have just missed the mark with their attempt, but others have executed it perfectly. They’re just the right amount of cheesy to be catchy instead of making listeners’ ears ring. If you turn on any pop station during the holidays or go Christmas shopping (particularly in the malls), you will hear these songs. My particular favorites are “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande, “Last Christmas” by Wham!, and of course it wouldn’t be Christmas without Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” 

There are so many more songs I could put on this list, but this is just a shortened version. They can all be heard on any music streaming platform. Happy holidays!