{Party Music} Christmas Music Playlists

Hi there!  It’s Cara from One Swell Studio!  It’s so crazy to think that Christmas is just a few days away.  Here at our house, my husband likes to start listening to Christmas music as soon as the temperature starts drop (usually early November!).  So I’ve had my share of PLENTY of Christmas music lately.

I’ve compiled a few playlists that will be perfect no matter who you’re with or where you’re celebrating this holiday season.

Christmas Classics

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
White Christmas – The Drifters
Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
Christmas Time is Here – Vince Guaraldi Trio 

Upbeat Christmas

Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Jackson 5
Step into Christmas – Elton John
Sleigh Ride – The Ronettes
All I Want for Christmas is You – Mariah Carey
What Christmas Means to Me – Stevie Wonder
Mele Kalikimaka – The Puppini Sisters

Modern Holiday

Christmas Song – Dave Matthews Band
Christmas Wish – She & Him
In the Morning – Jack Johnson
Love is Christmas – Sara Bareillis
Underneath the Tree- Kelly Clarkson
Wintersong – Sarah McLaughlan

Christmas Date Night

Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) – Leona Lewis
All I Want for Christmas Is You – Michael Buble
When My Heart Finds Christmas – Harry Connick, Jr.
Darlin’ (Christmas is Coming) – Over the Rhine
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Coblie Caillat
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm – Dean Martin
Meet Me at the Mistletoe – Dave Barnes
White Christmas – Otis Redding

Christmas with the Kiddos

Dominic the Donkey – Lou Monte
Thistlehair the Christmas Bear – Alabama
You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Thurl Ravenscroft
Christmas Monkey – A Very Monkey Christmas
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas –
Hot Chocolate – Tom Hanks (from “The Polar Express”)
All I Need is Love – Cee Lo Green & The Muppets
I’m Gonna Mail Myself to You – The Bergerfolk

Christmas Classics:

These are the songs that are key to getting me into the Christmas spirit.  When I hear these songs, I know for sure that the holiday season is in full swing.  Each time I hear The Drifter’s version of “White Christmas,” I can’t help but think about the aftershave scene in Home Alone & smile.  And I’m not going to lie– Andy Williams’ “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” kinda makes me want to throw my arms in the air & catch snowflakes on my tongue.

Upbeat Christmas:

If you’re trying to stay awake into the wee hours of the morning to finish wrapping those gifts, or decorate eleven dozen sugar cookies, this playlist is an absolute must!  These fast paced songs will keep you dancing through the hustle & bustle of the holidays.  “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by the Jackson Five has always been a personal favorite of mine.  It’s bright, cheery & fun– all the things Christmas should be!  The tween girl in me will always be obsessed with Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.”  This song may or may not be my alarm clock tone during the month of December.  (Okay, it totally is.)

Modern Holiday:

You might not know the lyrics to all of these songs by heart (yet!), but they’re definitely worth adding to your holiday listening collection.  Dave Matthew Band’s “Christmas Song” is bound to become a favorite with its message of love & story of Jesus’ birth.  The sweet, fast-paced melody of “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson is catchy & sure to be (happily) stuck in your head for days.  If you’re in the mood for something a little more mellow, download “In the Morning” by Jack Johnson– you won’t regret it. 

Christmas Date Night:

Finding time for a date night during the hectic holiday season isn’t easy, but whether you’re wrapping gifts together or snuggling by the fire, this playlist is romantic while still keeping you in the holiday spirit.  Over the Rhine’s “Darlin’ (Christmas is Coming)” has been on repeat on my iTunes for the last few weeks, actually.  It’s sweet, simple & needs to be a part of your playlist.  Otis Redding’s version of “White Christmas” is quite possibly the quintessential snuggling song.  Grab a cozy blanket, some hot cocoa & your favorite cuddle buddy. 

Christmas with the Kiddos:

I have two little guys who are at such fun ages this year for the holidays.  They are *into* it.  Everything from Santa, his reindeer & our Elf on the Shelf is absolutely magical to them– and they’re SO excited!  (I am too!) Together, we compiled a list of their favorite Christmas songs.  At the top of the list is “Dominic the Donkey” by Lou Monte, followed closely by the “Hot Chocolate” song from The Polar Express.  (My boys love that movie so much!)  They also love silly songs like “I Want a HippOne song addition from my childhood is “Thistlehair the Christmas Bear” by Alabama.  If there’s one song that instantly takes me back to Christmases as a child, this one is it.

If you’re looking to create a cheery atmosphere & add some background music to your next holiday get together, be sure to check out these songs and add them to your music collections!

Cara is the owner/designer behind One Swell Studio. After becoming a stay-at-home mom, she discovered the world of party planning & soon found herself deeply in love with styling dessert tables & designing party decor. She opened the virtual doors to her Etsy shop, One Swell Studio, in December 2010.  Read more about Cara here…