“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
Ah, the Christmas season—a time of joy, twinkling lights, and the occasional family drama that reminds you why the “most wonderful time of the year” is often the prelude, not the main event. While the day itself can be hit or miss depending on who brings up politics at dinner, the season surrounding it is pure magic. And what ties it all together, besides a borderline unhealthy obsession with peppermint-flavored everything? The music, of course.
Christmas music is its own special category of good. It’s not quite good enough to listen to year-round (let’s be honest, if you heard “Jingle Bells” in June, you’d lose it), but for one glorious month, it’s absolutely perfect. These songs somehow manage to evoke that warm, fuzzy feeling—like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket—while also being the kind of tunes you’ll never revisit until the next holiday season. And that’s exactly why we love them.
So, without further ado, here’s my definitive ranking of the Christmas songs that make the season bright. Grab some cocoa, cozy up, and let’s get festive.
My Christmas Playlist Essentials
Blue Christmas: Elvis crooning about Christmas blues? Yes, please. It’s the perfect mix of holiday cheer and heartbreak, which feels oddly appropriate for family gatherings.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas: The ultimate in wishful thinking. This song hits you right in the feels—especially if home is a plane ticket away, or if you just need an excuse to stay put.
Silver Bells: A song that somehow manages to make the chaos of holiday shopping sound charming. If only actual city sidewalks were this peaceful.
White Christmas: The gold standard of Christmas songs. Bing Crosby’s voice is like being wrapped in a cozy blanket, and suddenly, you believe snow might actually be magical.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: This song is basically Christmas in a warm, nostalgic hug. It’s all about the quiet, bittersweet moments that make the season special.
Silent Night: Sinatra’s voice turns this simple carol into something downright magical. You can almost feel the snow falling and the world slowing down, one smooth note at a time.
The Christmas Song: You can almost smell the chestnuts roasting when this plays. It’s smooth, it’s cozy, and Nat King Cole makes you feel like Christmas was invented just for you.
Merry Christmas Baby: This one’s for when the eggnog starts flowing. It’s got swagger, charm, and just enough groove to remind you Christmas can be a little bit cool, too.
Please Come Home for Christmas: Nothing says “holiday heartache” like this bluesy classic. Perfect for anyone who’s ever wanted to exchange mistletoe for a little melodrama.
The Christmas Waltz: Pure, old-school elegance. This song feels like dancing by candlelight, with just the right amount of nostalgia to transport you to a simpler time.
All I Want for Christmas is You: Love it or hate it, Mariah Carey’s anthem is unavoidable and, let’s be honest, totally infectious. The official soundtrack to every holiday shopping spree ever.
Christmas Au Naturale
Christmas music is like fruitcake—it’s a little weird, very seasonal, and somehow essential to the holiday experience. Whether it’s Sinatra making “Silent Night” sound like the smoothest snowstorm of your life or Mariah reminding us that the holidays are just one long love letter to commercialism, these songs wrap you in that perfect mix of nostalgia and festivity.
And, because I believe in spreading holiday cheer in the most over-the-top way possible, I’ve put together a Spotify playlist called Christmas au Naturel. It’s the kind of playlist that’ll make you feel like you’ve been transported to a winter wonderland—minus the frostbite. So, pour the eggnog, hit play, and embrace the jingle-fueled madness.
