Last updated: 12/01/24
“One thing I love about Christmas music is that it has a certain nostalgia about it, even when you hear it for the first time.”
Zooey Deschanel
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who say they love Christmas music, and those who are lying.
Because here’s the thing—Christmas songs aren’t just songs. They’re memory triggers, emotional landmines, and, occasionally, endurance tests. One minute you’re sipping cocoa, gently humming along to Bing Crosby. The next, you’re three Target aisles deep in wrapping paper, rage-singing Mariah Carey like it’s a battle cry.
Love them or hate them (and, honestly, both at the same time), Christmas songs are baked into the season. They sneak into our brains, glue themselves to our nostalgia, and remind us that no matter how old we get, there’s always a part of us still waiting for magic.
So here it is: my list of favorite Christmas songs. Equal parts tradition, chaos, and irrational devotion—the kind of soundtrack that makes the holidays feel like the holidays.
The Podium
Gold: White Christmas
The undisputed heavyweight champion of Christmas songs. Bing Crosby doesn’t just sing it—he practically defines the holiday spirit with every note. It’s warm, timeless, and somehow makes you believe that snow is always magical, even if you’re listening from a sunburnt porch in Texas. It’s not just a song, it’s a cultural blanket we all wrap ourselves in once December hits.
Silver: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
This one doesn’t shout, it whispers. It’s not about tinsel or gifts, it’s about the ache and sweetness of the season—the quiet reminder that Christmas is as much about who’s missing as who’s present. Every time it plays, it feels like a hug from a memory, equal parts tender and bittersweet. And honestly, isn’t that the real soundtrack of the holidays?
Bronze: Blue Christmas
Leave it to Elvis to make loneliness sound like velvet. “Blue Christmas” is holiday heartbreak set to a slow burn, and somehow it’s still fun to sing along. It’s the perfect soundtrack for anyone who’s ever felt both festive and a little wrecked at the same time—which, let’s be honest, is most family gatherings. It proves that Christmas music isn’t all joy and sleigh bells; sometimes it’s sequins, swagger, and sadness all rolled into one.
Honorable Mentions
I’ll Be Home for Christmas: The ultimate in wishful thinking—equal parts cozy and heartbreaking. Perfect for when “home” is a plane ticket away, or when you just need an excuse to stay put.
Silver Bells: Somehow makes the chaos of holiday shopping sound quaint. If only actual city sidewalks felt this peaceful.
Silent Night: A carol so simple it shouldn’t need help, yet Sinatra turns it into snow falling in slow motion. Pure magic.
The Christmas Song: You can almost smell the chestnuts roasting. Nat King Cole didn’t just record it—he owns Christmas forever.
Merry Christmas Baby: A little swagger with your sleigh bells. It’s the soundtrack for when the eggnog is spiked and the lights are just a little crooked.
Please Come Home for Christmas: Holiday heartbreak with a bluesy backbone. It’s the sound of someone stringing up lights while quietly falling apart—and somehow it makes loneliness feel classic.
The Christmas Waltz: The unsung gem of the season. It’s elegant without being flashy, like champagne in song form—effervescent, nostalgic, and gone too soon.
All I Want for Christmas is You: Not so much a song as a seasonal law. The second you hear those opening notes, you’re either rolling your eyes or belting along—and probably both.
Bonus Track
If reading about Christmas music isn’t enough (and let’s be honest, it never is), I’ve put together a Spotify playlist: Christmas Au Naturale. It’s got all the songs from this list plus a few extras for good measure.
May it soundtrack your season the way it does mine.
