Your Holiday Playlist

Your Holiday Playlist By Annabel Davis Your Holiday Playlist

If you’re like me, there’s no time of year like the holiday season. And whether you’re gung-ho (or should I say gung-ho ho ho) for the holidays or you’re more of an Ebenezer, I think we can all agree on one thing: the atmosphere changes when the Christmas music kicks in. There’s something about the soft jingling of bells that gets me in the holiday spirit. If you’re not in the spirit yet, no worries -- I’ve created a list of a few of my favorite holiday tunes to help you find your Christmas cheer.

1. Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano There’s no going wrong with this modern classic. I think it’s impossible to do holiday shopping without hearing “Feliz Navidad” on the in-store radio, and I have many a memory singing along to it in the car on the way to pick out a Christmas tree. Its lyrics deliver a wholesome message and, overall, the feelgood vibe just can’t be beat.

2. Do You Hear What I Hear - Bing Crosby This traditional tune has a special place in my heart. It’s one of my mom’s favorite Christmas songs. Growing up, my parents would take me and my sister on drives through the different neighborhoods of my hometown to see the houses’ holiday light displays. If this song came on as we pulled into the driveway, we’d stay in the car until it finished. This song reminds me of those times and of my childhood Christmases. It’s a family tradition in and of itself.

3. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer - Elmo & Patsy When I showed my friends my prospective playlist for this piece, I was shocked when they told me they’d never heard this one. It’s a staple! Not to mention hilarious. It wouldn’t be Christmas without an obnoxious family rendition of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” usually from my dad or my sister… so it wouldn’t be a complete holiday playlist without it, either.

4. Let’s Stay Inside (Stripped Christmas) - Adaline This one is my Christmas deep-cut. Its mellow vibes and soft jingle bells make it the perfect soundtrack for your seasonal romance… it is cuffing season, after all. So if you need some background music for your hot cocoa-for-two (or other ways of keeping warm), consider Adaline’s “Let’s Stay Inside.”

5. Mistletoe - Justin Bieber I think we all wanted to be the girl in Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” music video (even those of us who have since realized that we are not straight). The snow! The romance! That hair! Baby Bieber has my heart. And he definitely hit the mark with his Christmas album. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through the horrible defining period that is middle school without Baby Bieber’s soothing pre-pubescent tones. Thanks, Biebs.

6. All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey The moment we’ve all been waiting for… you know it, you love it, you can’t go a day in December without hearing it: my number one pick is Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” The reason I put it at the top of my list is that I simply can’t be sad listening to this song. It kicks my seasonal depression’s booty every time. And I’m not one to listen to Christmas music year-round (I usually don’t listen to holiday music until after Thanksgiving), but this is the exception. It makes appearances on my playlists all throughout the year. So if you’ve got the winter blues, try giving this one a listen (dancing is optional, but it helps too)!