With the Christmas season upon us, I thought we could travel down a holly, jolly road and look at some personal favorite holiday songs of mine. All aboard, Santa’s sleigh…it’s gonna be one heck of a ride!

1. "All I want For Christmas is You" - Mariah Carey

How romantic is this, she’s saying all she really needs for Christmas is her one true love. She doesn’t need a fancy diamond ring or stocking stuffers to make her happy on Christmas. She’s willing to wait for him to arrive under the mistletoe patiently. Basically, she doesn’t care about anything but him because that is where her happiness lies. The feels are too real.

Favorite Line: "All the lights are shining/So brightly everywhere/And the sound of children's/Laughter fills the air."

2. "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" - Brenda Lee

This song is not only a Christmas classic, but it reminds me of "Home Alone," which is a classic Christmas film. This song just screams Christmas and the essence of what Christmas is supposed to be—family and fun. She speaks of people dancing in the new old fashioned way, and how they’ll sing carols later on after pumpkin pie. It makes you think of Christmas and joyous feeling of it.

Favorite Line: "You will get a sentimental feeling/When you hear/voices singing/Let's be jolly; Deck the halls with boughs of holly."

3. "Happy Christmas (War is Over)" - John Lennon

The message in this song is so powerful. All year, peace is hard to find, and “the most wonderful time of the year” isn’t an exception to this. There is so much violence and hate in this world, that sometimes it’s hard to find happiness. However, this song is reminding everyone to remember what the holiday is truly about and to spread love and positivity. We should be able to live a life without fearing anything or anyone, and we should be able to simply walk down the street without being nervous about being mugged or shot. Remember to spread the love and peace this holiday season and help those in need no matter what your social class or the color of your skin is. Every life matters and every life is precious.

Favorite Line: "And so this is Christmas/and what have we done/Another year over/a new one just begun./And so happy Christmas/we hope you have fun/The near and the dear ones/the old and the young."

4. "Last Christmas" - Wham!

I have no idea why, but I’ve always loved this song. To be completely honest, it goes against the happiness of Christmas—it’s about being broken hearted and the person has finally moved on enough to get over the heartbreak by someone who they never thought would hurt them. There’s no reasoning to it, it’s just a good song to jam to when you’re feeling down. It’s one of those tunes you can sing as you cry with tissues on one side of you and an entire box of chocolate on the other. There’s nothing Christmassy about it except that’s when his heart was broken. I feel bad for the guy, but at least a good song came out of it.

Favorite Line: "Now I know what a fool I've been/But if you kissed me now I know you'd fool me again."

5. "Please Come Home For Christmas" - The Eagles

As much yearning that you hear in this song, this song is a beautiful example of pure love and the feeling of missing someone. Not only does he mention his loved one being gone, but he also says he has no friends. This man is purely alone and you can hear the emptiness in his voice. Christmas is supposed to be spent with those you care most about, and it’s supposed to be full of love and laughter. He values his lover more than friends and family. This poor soul is so deeply in love and can’t even spend it with the lucky gal.

Favorite Line: "Friends and relations send salutations/Sure as the stars shine above/But this is Christmas, yes, Christmas my dear/The time of year to be with the ones you love."

6. "Santa Claus is Comin to Town" - Bruce Springsteen

If you even try to say this version of the song isn’t your favorite, then you’re already sadly mistaken. It’s lively and has an energy that I can’t even begin to explain. It’s fun and giddy, and just makes you want to get up and dance, and it makes you even more excited that it’s the time of year where Santa gives us all a little visit.

Favorite Line: "I don’t have a favorite line in this song. You never realize how creepy this song actually sounds until you sing it out loud to yourself. But nonetheless, as creepy as it may be...it’s a good song and a classic Christmas carol."

7. "Do They Know it’s Christmas" - Band Aid

I think this song is so good because it makes people think about what they have and to not take it for granted. It’s also important to remember that if you didn’t get your number one thing on your list, don’t be ungrateful. Many people around the world are without the things that come easily to us—food, water, shelter. These people don’t even know what Christmas is because they don’t celebrate it. Help spread the cheer of Christmas throughout the world by donating something—a present or time—volunteer, donate, whatever you can.

Favorite Line: "And there won't be snow in Africa, this Christmas time/The greatest gift they'll get this year is life."

8. "Frosty the Snowman" - Stan Rogers

"Frosty the Snowman" is my favorite classic Christmas movie to begin with. The greedy magician and that little rabbit are just too adorable. I think the story of Frosty is so good though, especially for little ones. It’s the spirit of Christmas (and I suppose the magic hat, as well) that brought Frosty to life. It shows true friendship when Frosty sees Karen is cold and takes her to someplace warm, even though he knows he will melt doing so. When she becomes upset seeing him melt, he reassures her that he’ll be back to visit so she shouldn’t fret. It’s absolutely adorable, and the song is the movie in 2 minutes.

Favorite Line: "Frosty the snowman/Had to hurry on his way/But he waved goodbye saying, 'Don't you cry, I'll be back again some day.'"

9. "Merry Christmas Darling" - The Carpenters

I think the lyrics of this song is what gets me most. They’re so honest and raw, which makes them beautiful. Whatever the case may be—he’ll be out of town for the holidays, they broke up, and even more morbid...possible death, it’s still a song that says even though we aren’t together, I’m still thinking of you every day, and I don’t need a nationwide holiday to celebrate properly unless you’re with that one person.

Favorite Line: "But every day's a holiday when I'm near to you."

10: "Wonderful Christmastime" - Paul McCartney

The spirit of Christmas is contained in every lyric this of this song. Christmas is a party—a time to celebrate. Everyone is happy and joyful and singing and dancing and drinking eggnog and just enjoying life and enjoying one another’s company. What isn't wonderful about that? This song just gets me in a great mood and makes me appreciate Christmas from a different perspective: not for the presents or the chocolate Santa’s, but for the people that I have been given in my life and how much I appreciate the holidays and how much time we spend together.

Favorite Line: "The party's on/The spirits up/We're here tonight/And that's enough."