The Christmas season is filled with good food, gifts, and, most importantly, music. There is something magical about hearing the same classic songs every year, the festive music and the catchy lyrics. You can’t help but get in the holiday spirit.

However, if you ever feel like you need to mix it up (sometimes we need to draw the line on how many times we listen to Michael Buble’s Christmas albums) here are five songs that can help change up your holiday playlist.

"Mary, Did You Know?" -- Original: 1984

Written by Mark Lowry in 1984 (music was added in 1991), "Mary, Did You Know?" is one of the more religious Christmas songs (ah, the irony). It is also one of my all time favorite holiday songs. First of all, the lyrics are wonderful. I would honestly listen to this song in spoken word, it's that good. The lyrics are incredibly beautiful and the message behind it is even more so. However, the instrumentals are also absolutely beautiful. The combination of both the words and the music will send chills up your spine. To get the full effect, however, I would recommend the "CeeLo Green" or "Pentatonix" version--both are amazing.

"My Grown Up Christmas List" -- 2003

You can't go wrong with Kelly Clarkson--that is a fact. Like "Mary, Did You Know?" this 2003 hit has incredibly powerful lyrics. An amazing piano accompanies Clarkson as she belts the things that she wants from Santa as an adult (i.e. for wars to never start, and for time to heal all hearts). Not only is the meaning behind "My Grown Up Christmas List" impeccably accurate, but the melody and beat in this song are so ballad-y that you can't help but move to it.

"Christmas Shoes" -- 2000

Talk about a tear-jerker, this sweet and vulnerable song describes the story of a young boy who wants to buy shoes for his sick mother in the hospital, but who doesn't have enough money. The message behind it and the little boy singing the chorus will make anyone cry.

If "Christmas Shoes" the song doesn't do it for you (if you click on the link, consider yourself warned), don't you fret--there’s a book and a movie that's based off of the song. Both are awesome, but don't be surprised if you start sweating from your eyes again.

"12 Days" -- 1998

While the original "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is very cliche, this remix by "Straight No Chaser" (an elite men’s a capella group) is not. By overlaying other Christmas songs (like "Deck the Halls" and "Carol of the Bells") as well as some non-holiday songs (like "Africa" by "Toto") with the original "Twelve Days of Christmas" tune, this singing group spins a holiday classic into a clever and refreshing three minutes that you can't help but smile at.

Also, any "Twelve Days of Christmas" parody/remix is usually awesome. I would suggest “The Twelve Pains of Christmas” (if you’re feeling particularly Scrooge-y) or “The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Doug and Bob McKenzie (if you would like to relieve holiday stress with a good laugh).

"You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" -- Original: 1966

If you are feeling like you're in a particularly jazzy mood then I would recommend that you listen to the original, composed for the 1966 cartoon special, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." However, there are so many versions out there that there is no way that you cannot get your Grinch fix. My personal favorites are the version by our homeboys in "Straight No Chaser" or, if I'm feeling really classy, the innovative instrumental-only version by the "Canadian Brass."

By inducting these songs into your day-to-day holiday life, you are not saying goodbye to the classics. Instead, you are fusing the glorious cliches with the glorious non-cliches to make the most wonderful playlist of the year.