The Holiday Spirit for some was launched when 93.9 MY FM announced the day and time they would be playing holiday music. As we wait in anticipation for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to arrive, here is a list that I've comprised of my favorite 11 Holiday songs. Enjoy!

11. Underneath the Tree - Kelly Clarkson (2013)

If you like "All I Want For Christmas Is You," then "Underneath the Tree" is a song for you too. This song provides a jazzy anthem with a tenor saxophone solo for that someone special that you found.

10. Baby It’s Cold Outside - version sung by Idina Menzel and Michael Buble (2014 version)

Idina Menzel and Michael Buble place a modern twist on the classic sung by Frank Loesser. This video accompanied to their version features Emily Carey mouthing the words Idina sings, and Harry Collett mouthing the words Michael Buble sings

9. Joy to the World - sung by Pentatonix (2015 version)

The song that I call, “my favorite Church song,” it’s a timeless classic that never goes out of style. The version that I link to is sung by Pentatonic, placing a modern twist on the classic with an added faster tempo than the original.

8. Christmas Every Day - sung by Simple Plan (2016)

The song is the song that most of us college students can relate to with the lyrics “school is out no work today so in my PJs I will stay.” This song provides an upbeat rhythm that will make anyone get up and dance to it.

7. Good to be Bad - Pentatonix (2016)

Pentatonix sings an addicting chill jazzy blues-like acapella holiday song that most of us can relate to regardless of age.

6. Last Christmas - Wham! (1984)

No other version can compare to the one sung by Wham!, Wham! provides this tug on the heart emotion that will anger anyone who “gave away” their heart.

5. Silent Night - by Franz Xaver Gruber (1818), version sung by Jackie Evancho

The calm song that brings friends and family together to share the good memories that occurred within the past year(s) while outside the snow is slowly falling covering the streets like a blanket. The version sung by Jackie Evancho is calm and provides the feeling of a lullaby sung to a child.

4. Hallelujah Chorus - George Frideric Handel (1741)

For me, I enjoyed playing this song and despised it at the same time. I enjoyed it because as part of the school band it was the song that allowed the band, orchestra and choir to play together and brought forth this feeling of togetherness and joy. However, the days leading up to it was what all of us who played it despised. As cool as it is putting together a large ensemble, it’s difficult to make it sound clean and not have one section overpowering the other. There was also the tension of not playing in the large break before the last measure because as a record never playing in the break, there’s always the tension that hopefully “no one will play in it this year either.”

Here is a clever version ‘sung’ by the Silent Monks.

3. All I Want for Christmas is You- Mariah Carey (1994) or Michael Buble

One of my ultimate favorite Christmas songs, “All I Want for Christmas is You,” sung by Mariah Carey has this upbeat rhythm with a joyful voice accompanied with percussive instruments that doesn’t get old. Michael Buble puts a spin on the song making it calmer but heartfelt.

2. Carol of the Bells - The Piano Guys (2011 version)

The Piano Guys provides this dark version through the mello sound of the cello that builds upon the anticipation and anxiety of waiting for Christmas day.

1. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo - played by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

This dynamic song combines the orchestra instruments and electric guitar for a powerful song and providing this “rockestral” feeling to it. This is the song that you’d want to air guitar to. However, seeing it live adds to the intensity with its visual effects.

Honorable Mentions:

Wrapped in Red - Kelly Clarkson (2013)

All I Want for Christmas- ft. Chase Holfelder (Kurt Schneider) (2015)

Jingle Bells- Michael Buble ft. The Puppini Sister

Let It Snow! -Frank Sinatra

Happy Holidays!