I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve been listening to Christmas music sporadically since Halloween this year. I know that’s a little early, but it’s just because Christmas music is so uplifting, and sometimes you need some positivity.

I have been honing the optimal Christmas playlist for years now. I usually make a new mix CD every year with several classics plus some new hits. I really think my list is pretty optimized at this point.

Every one loves to put their spin on the classics, here are my favorite versions of the standards:

• Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt (Duh!)
• Winter Wonderland by James Taylor
• White Christmas by Otis Redding
• Do You Hear What I Hear by Glee Cast (random pick but trust me)
• We Need A Little Christmas by Angela Lansbury from the Original “Auntie Mame” Soundtrack (you can’t go wrong with the OG)
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town by *it’s a tie between* Bruce Springsteen and Jackson 5
• Blue Christmas by Elvis (of course)
• Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let is Snow by Michael Buble
• The First Noel by NSYNC (obviously)
• Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Louis Armstrong and Velma Middleton (hilarious!)
• The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole (that’s the Chestnut song)
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland from “Meet Me In Saint Louis” (my favorite movie of all all all time)

And here are my favorites that are more artist specific:

• Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes (get it now!)
• Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Mariah Carey (obvi)
• Zat You Santa Claus by Louis Armstrong
• Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays by NSYNC
• My Only Wish (This Year) by Britney Spears
• River by Joni Mitchell (she does it the best)
• All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey (any other version is sacrilege)

 

Ok, Which ones are your favorites?