One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is all of the festive music that starts blaring from store speakers and car radios as soon as Thanksgiving rolls around, and often before. Regardless of your religious affiliation, holiday music exists to put people in a good mood and remind them of the joy of the holiday season. If you feel that your holiday playlist is getting a bit stale and you just end up playing "All I Want For Christmas Is You" on repeat, try folding in a few of these tunes to brighten up your December homework sessions, gift wrapping, and car rides.
1. The Peanuts theme song
This song always reminds me of the wonderful Charlie Brown holiday specials that I make a point to watch every year. It's universally recognizable and easily lovable.
2. The Polar Express main theme song
I have never actually seen this movie but this song is so charming and delightful I can't help but get excited for the holidays whenever I hear it. It's also a reminder of a movie starring a true American treasure, Tom Hanks.
3. Pentatonix's version of "Mary, Did You Know?"
This version of a classic Christmas song always moves me greatly. The way their voices magically blend together truly embodies the holiday spirit for me and leads me to appreciate my loved ones more than ever.
4. The Virginia Gentleman "12 Days of Christmas"
I saw them perform this hilarious number as part of their holiday concert last year and I laughed incredibly hard throughout this entire song. It's definitely worth watching the video to get the full experience.
5. The Kinks - "Father Christmas"
If you're looking for a more rock-sounding edge to your holiday playlist, look no further than this fantastic song. It's so good, you'll be listening to it long after the holiday season has concluded.
6. The Maccabeats - "Candlelight"
This is an extremely catchy Hanukkah-related parody of the song "Dynamite" that I always forget exists every year until one of my friends reminds me of it. It certainly its place in the hallowed holiday canon.
7. Saturday Night Live- "I Wish It Was Christmas Today"
Another catchy ditty that I always forget about until the SNL holiday special inevitably plays on TV sometime in December. For a song with vacuous lyrics and a verging-on-annoying tune, it will definitely worm its way into your holiday playlist, and your heart.
Your holiday playlist is now much more complete with either a legitimate holiday song or a silly parody song addition. Both have their place in bringing holiday cheer for all to hear, so crank up your speaker and sing to the tune of a new song this holiday season.
