The air is getting cold, it’s getting dark out at 4 p.m., and finals week is approaching. That can only mean one thing: Christmas is getting closer! Since the holiday season is upon us, I thought I would get us all into the spirit by sharing my favorite Christmas songs!
“mistletoe” by justin bieber
Now this is what I would consider a Christmas classic. Some love “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” or “White Christmas,” but I love a Justin Bieber Christmas. This song gives such nostalgic vibes, and it truly makes me excited for the Christmas season. It gives such a cozy, cute vibe for putting up the tree, holiday shopping in TJ Maxx, or just hanging with friends during winter break. I, for one, am not a fan of the old, classic Christmas songs, so this is a great alternative. The song, which was released in 2011 is apart of Bieber’s Christmas album Under the Mistletoe. Out of all the songs on the album, this one is my personal favorite, and I just love the energy it gives.
“santa tell me” by ariana grande
Another modern Christmas Classic, this song comes off of Grande’s 2015 album Christmas and Chill. The whole six-song album is a no-skip in my opinion, but “Santa Tell Me” takes the cake. This song is just so happy and upbeat, and the music just gives off amazing Christmas vibes. I have seen so many TikTok Christmas mood boards to this song, and many of them include pink filters, Starbucks cake pops, and Ugg boots. To me, this is the epitome of what it feels like to listen to this song. It reminds me of being a kid on Christmas, and I think that’s why it is so popular. The whole melody is so upbeat, and it is so easy to sing along to. It is so easily recognizable, you hear the intro and immediately know what song it is, and that is what makes it so special.
“last christmas” by wham!
Of course, I had to include “Last Christmas.” This song is probably one of the most popular and memorable Christmas songs of all time. Even though the song was released in 1984, it’s like everyone knows it. Those beginning lyrics, “Last Christmas I gave you my heart, but the very next day you gave it away,” are known worldwide. There have been multiple covers of the song by famous artists such as Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and — like any other song in this world — the cast of Glee. For once, I would have to say that the original was better than the Glee version. The song brings a type of nostalgia to all ages whether it be people from the 80s, all the way to the 2000s. In a way, “Last Christmas” paved the way for artists to begin making modern Christmas songs. “Last Christmas” is a revolutionary holiday hit, and will always be remembered as one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time.
“Santa doesn’t know you like i do” by sabrina carpenter
A more recent song, “Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I Do” by Sabrina Carpenter was featured on her 2023 Christmas album Fruitcake. The song has a similar vibe to “Santa Tell Me” with it’s upbeat melody and storytelling. To me, this song should have been more popular than it is. It adds some Christmas flair with more of a pop. To me, the whole Fruitcake album is underrated and deserves just as much love as Carpenter’s other hits. The song starts out a little slow, but has a gradual build up. If you are looking for a more recent, fun, pop Christmas song and album, then this is for you!
“underneath the tree” by kelly clarkson
“Underneath the Tree” is another modern Christmas classic. This song really encapsulates the feeling of Christmas, as the songs begins with bells ringing, and then goes right into an upbeat tempo with saxophones, and more sleigh bells. The song was released in 2013 apart of Clarkson’s Christmas album Wrapped In Red. “Underneath the Tree” continues to climb the charts every year, especially in December, and has become another example of modern pop holiday music becoming more popular every year.
“all i want for christmas is you” by mariah carey
I couldn’t make a Christmas song article without including this iconic song. To be so honest, I think I’m a little sick of this song because it is played so much. Regardless, “All I Want for Christmas is You” is an all time classic, and is considered to be one of, if not the greatest Christmas song of all time. Released in 1994, the song has generated over 2.2 billion streams on Spotify, and continues to garner more and more every single year. Even this year, the song has already made it back into the Billboard Top 100, and it is only the beginning of December. Carey’s hit is so easily recognizable, has captured the hearts of billions, and gets everyone in the Christmas spirit. I love how Carey still advertises the song, and posts on TikTok every Nov. 1 to say “It’s Timeeeee.” The comments also never disappoint, coining the term “She is defrosting.” Overall, I had to include this absolutely iconic song, even if it does begin to get a bit overplayed.
That is all the Christmas songs I have for you! There are plenty of other Christmas songs out there, but these are some of my favorites. I hope this article can get you to add some songs to your Christmas playlist, and get you into the holiday spirit!