When the tree is decorated, the lights are twinkling brightly, and friends and family are gathered close, there’s only one more thing you need to complete the vibe: a playlist full of festive tunes!

MUST HAVES

Don’t hesitate to break Mariah Carey out of her ice block this year and bless your ears with “All I Want for Christmas is You”, a timeless classic that won’t fail to get your feet a-tapping. Dig into her entire Christmas album, Merry Christmas for more hits from the queen herself. A Christmas playlist would not be complete without the buttery voice of Michael Bublé, so add any of his Christmas songs into your mix for smooth listening by the Yule log. You can also explore the hit acapella group, Pentatonix, and their expansive collection of Christmas albums. Their poignant cover of “White Winter Hymnal” will transport you directly into a snowy wonderland. 

OLDIES

If you want to get that fuzzy, old-timey feeling in your chest, go for an oldie like “Baby It’s Cold Outside” or “White Christmas” by Frank Sinatra. If you’re going through relationship issues during Christmas or need a song to reflect your holiday slump, Elvis’s wistful “Blue Christmas” may be just what you need. On the contrary, fun-loving melodies like “Rocking around the Christmas Tree” can bring up your Christmas cheer and brighten your holiday mood.

NEWER TUNES

If you’re looking for a song by one of your favorite artists, try songs from Sabrina Carpenter’s Christmas Extended Play (EP) Fruitcake with a similar sound to her songs in Emails I Can’t Send. Are you a big fan of the musical Hamilton? Bet you didn’t know that Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr) has made some Christmas albums! His chill jazz cover of “My Favorite Things” feels like a warm holiday hug and will surely become a staple in your Christmas playlist.