Welcome to the Christmas Season!

Though there is no official start, many of you scrooges refuse to indulge in the Christmas spirit until after Thanksgiving. I, as a multitasker, have been glimpsing into Christmas here and there since September AND I celebrate the other holidays in between with no less fervor. My Christmas love knows no bounds and I celebrate when I want.

To help you get into the Christmas spirit, here are some of my favorite Christmas albums for a Christmas playlist.

For the Traditionalist
Christmas #1s by Various Artists
These are all the famous versions of the classic Christmas songs you know and love.
Favorite song: Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives, if this doesn’t put you in the Christmas mood, I don’t know what will.


For the Electronic/Dance Christmas Enthusiast
Christmas by Mannheim Steamroller
The dance mix of Christmas
Favorite song: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (the second one on the album)


More for the Traditionalist (I’m sorry, but if you haven’t noticed, Christmas is usually about tradition)
A Christmas Treasury of Classics by Avon (if your family is anything like my family, you have many many old Avon products that have nothing to do with skin care)
My family had this on a cassette tape growing up and we all loved it so much that as cassettes became an endangered species, my sister quickly immortalized our beloved Christmas music album in electronic form so that we could pass on the Christmas love. You can find it on ebay in 33rpm vinyl or the cassette tape.
Favorite song: oh gosh I love them all! But maybe Round and Round the Christmas Tree by Bing Crosby is a little more favorite than the rest.


Umm, I’m not going to try to put this one in a category
Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens
This is a 5 album set of old and new Christmas songs and all have a special Sufjan spin on them. I’m sure you will find a place for these in your collection as well.
Favorite song: Once in Royal David’s City (clearly played on the old piano in my Grandma’s basement, it sounds just the same)

For the Neil Diamond enthusiast

The Christmas Album by Neil Diamond

I added this for all you Neil Diamond fans (I'm not a non-fan, just not a fan-fan) But I know there are many who wouldn't have the Christmas spirit without a little Neil Diamond to go around. And if this Hanukkah celebrating crooner can croon us some Christmas songs, then I think we can all get along. Don't you?

Favorite song: Jingle Bell Rock (Neil Diamond energy and raspiness at his best)

This post is getting too long but is enough to get you started I believe. I will post again next week to add to your growing Christmas music collections.

Noteworthy side note: I’m pretty nondiscriminatory to differing preferences of Christmas Songs, but if you openly admit to me that you like the song Santa Baby in any form, I don’t think we can be friends anymore.