I’m not one to play holiday music before the month of December starts, but once we finally get into the final stretch leading up to Christmas Day, I go all out.
When I say “all out,” I don’t just mean listening to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on repeat twenty times in a row. I’ve shamelessly done that in the past, but now I’d like to think I’ve evolved and broadened my merry music taste since then. Between listening to 106.7, watching holiday edition TV shows, and exploring Spotify, I was able to compile a list of Christmas songs that you may not have already known! Get festive with me this season as we listen to my latest holiday playlist!
#1 “The Christmas Song” by The Raveonettes
This one is a personal favorite of mine. I discovered it during a holiday episode of The Vampire Diaries, and I’ve loved it ever since! It somehow sounds nothing like a Christmas song, but also exactly like a Christmas song. All I know is if I had a soundtrack to my life, this would definitely be on it.
#2 “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Vince Vance & The Valiants
I wouldn’t have given Mariah’s song of the same name a spot on this playlist (only because everyone already knows it), and a cover version wouldn’t have made it either. This song is completely different and was released in 1989! It has a bit of an older sound to it, but it makes me love it all the more. This is one to sing along to.
#3 “Believe” by Josh Groban
If you’re a fan of The Polar Express, you probably already know this one. The whole song itself is beautiful, but nothing beats the first 13 seconds. I don’t think there’s any Christmas song that makes my heart feel as light as this one does!
#4 “The Christmas Shoes” by NewSong
Warning: it’s a tearjerker. “The Christmas Shoes” accompanies and retells the story of the 2002 movie of the same name, which is about a little boy trying to buy a pair of Christmas shoes for his mother before she passes away from sickness. I personally wouldn’t listen to this often, but I thought it was worth adding to the list because of how meaningful its message is.
#5 “Spend Christmas With You” by MAJOR
MAJOR took a soulful sounding (and might I add spicy) romance song and added bits and sprinkles of festive elements to it, such as through the lyrics and light beat.
#6 “He Shall Reign Forevermore” by Matt Maher
A lot of things signify Christmas for me: lights, decorations, snow, gifts, dinner, family, friends, the list goes on. The past few years as I continue to grow in my faith, however, I am learning that the season of advent for me is personally a time of preparation for Jesus’ birth and drawing myself as closely to Him as possible. I felt inspired this year to set goals for how to do that. This is a perfect addition to my personal holiday playlist because it centers me and reminds me to focus time and attention on the true meaning of Christmas, which for me is my religion. Whatever Christmas means for you, whether that be generosity, spending time with loved ones, or religion as well, find a song that centers you!
As Christmas is approaching, I hope you all find the time to be kind to yourselves and give yourself the space to relax, be grateful, be proud of all that you have conquered this year, and enjoy whatever your holiday consists of! If good music is a part of it, then I hope you find the songs to lift your holiday spirits!