Christmas albums (music)

[Susie]

We're hosting for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, overlapping but not the same crowd over both days.  I usually have music playing in the background, with a screen saver of photos on the TV of holidays past, which everyone seems to enjoy.  Can anyone rec any Christmas albums that you actually like to add to my collection?

I have Sarah McLachlan's album which is fine, Barenaked Ladies (a couple songs that I enjoy), Trans Siberian Orchestra, the Ed Sheeran & Elton John Christmas song... but I also have a lot of stuff that my boomer relatives like but is not aging well.  I'd like to drop those out entirely.

Help?

[Patsy Baloney]

Christmas Portrait by The Carpenters

My mom played that all the time growing up and it is basically the only Christmas music that is acceptable to me, lol.

ETA: Mannheim Steamroller is also innocuous and fun

[shinyhappy]

The Frank Sinatra Ultimate Christmas album is fantastic.

[7costanza]

Pentatonix and Straight No Chaser have a bunch of Christmas albums that I like.

[justemily]

I really like the Phil Spector "A Christmas Gift for You" - has the Ronettes, Darlene Love, The Crystals, etc.

[pierogigirl]

Christmas with the Rat Pack
The Dean Martin Christmas Album (but there are a few as it's been re-released. The one with Marshmallow World is the best)

[shinyhappy]

Dec 22, 2023 10:47:37 GMT -5 pierogigirl said:

Christmas with the Rat Pack
The Dean Martin Christmas Album (but there are a few as it's been re-released. The one with Marshmallow World is the best)

Yes-this is actually the one I meant lol

[VillainV]

Ella Fitzgerald Swingin’ Christmas is a classic.

If there’s a TV in this area, you may even be able to just tune into an audio channel that plays holiday music.

[beerlover]

I like the Bing Crosby and Burl Ives albums for some old fashioned stuff

[litebright]

This is more of a couple of individual songs, but--I Don't Know What Christmas Is by Old 97s, from the Guardians of the Galaxy holiday special, is my family's new favorite Christmas song. It's super fun and catchy.

The Christmas song by Kevin Bacon from the same special isn't too shabby, either.

[jinkies]

Harry Connick Jr has a really good Xmas album.

This is where I confess that my son's favorite Xmas song has always been The Seasons Upon Us by Dropkick Murphys but it's not exactly a family friendly song LOL.

[glw]

I like Gary Hoey's Christmas stuff: garyhoey.com/project/ho-ho-hoey-the-complete-collection-2003/

[annieh22]

Michael Buble has a great Christmas album.
Mannheim steamroller
Amy Grant
John Denver and the Muppets is a classic
Harry Connick Jr

[lust2hart]

I actually have a "Now That's What I Call Christmas" CD from mid-2000! It has a great variety of classic and at the time, the "current hits" (like there's some song on there from NSync).

I also love all of the Pentatonix holiday albums.

The acapella group Voctave is incredible! www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXreNYWtjPQ&list=PLnW10Px7IXesv1QgqhO_I9gA4xXZo8zUT&index=9 

[mpc]

Pandora has a station called something like Christmas Cleaning that I find to be really good for that kind of background music.

ETA: Since I didn't recommend an actual album, I will say that Carrie Underwood's Christmas album is really lovely.

[AdaraMarie]

I really like Christmas with Beethovan by Pamela Howland. Each song is a piano arrangement of a Christmas song and a Beethovan song woven together. You can also check it out on youtube.

[gretchenindisguise]

John Denver and the Muppets is my favorite.

[laterz]

Dec 22, 2023 10:46:32 GMT -5 justemily said:

I really like the Phil Spector "A Christmas Gift for You" - has the Ronettes, Darlene Love, The Crystals, etc.

This is one of my favorites!!

[BlondeSpiders]

I may have been born to answer this question. I'm a Christmas music fanatic!

Carpenters; Christmas Portrait
Beach Boys; Christmas Album
Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton; Once Upon a Christmas
Jackson 5: Christmas Album
John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together
Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas

If you have Spotify, I have multiple playlists and will link in another comment. Anyone is free to use them.

[thebreakfastclub]

I'd try to play a Spotify playlist with a variety of artists. I feel like whole albums would be tough to get through lol.

[BlondeSpiders]

Ultimate Family Xmas Music:

Alt Christmas Hits (boomers may not appreciate)


My H made a 14 hour playlist that really runs the gamut. Jesse's Christmas Jams

[BlondeSpiders]

Dec 22, 2023 12:51:22 GMT -5 BlondeSpiders said:

My H made a 14 hour playlist that really runs the gamut. Jesse's Christmas Jams

Oops, I used the editable link. If you use this one, please save and then edit your version.

[notreal]

Dec 22, 2023 12:30:39 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

John Denver and the Muppets is my favorite.

This one and his Rocky Mountain Christmas are on constant rotation every December.  I named my cat Zachary and just told people it was because I liked the name but in reality it's because I wanted to sing "Merry Christmas Little Zachary" at him while holding him and dancing around the tree.  He's learned to run when he hears it start up.


I also like the recording of Hannah Waddingham's Christmas special.  Her voice is amazing and it's a combination of newer songs but has a big band feel so would span generations.  

[InBetweenDays]

A Very Special Christmas volumes 1, 2, and 3. Although 3 is my favorite. Chris Cornell singing Ave Maria is fabulous.

ETA they're all on Spotify.

[loira]

Restoration Hardware had 2 jazz Christmas albums that were amazing called "Christmas with a Kick" (1 and 2). I don't think you'd find them anywhere but you could probably create your own playlist with the same songs: www.discogs.com/release/16134131-Various-Christmas-With-A-Kick-

[mcsangel2]

Dec 22, 2023 12:43:30 GMT -5 BlondeSpiders said:

Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Why did I have to scroll down so far to see this??

No joke, though, if you've never heard it, this is an AWESOME Christmas party album. Low key jazz, very soothing. It's literally my favorite.

[heygrey]

Reliant K - Let it snow, Baby… Let it Reindeer (most are covers, skip “I Celebrate the Day” if you’re not religious)

A Lumineers Christmas

The Philly Special Christmas Special (covers by some players from the Eagles)

[expectantsteelerfan]

I like both of Kelly Clarkson's christmas albums, When Christmas Comes Around and Wrapped in Red. And you can't go wrong with Mariah Carey's christmas album!

[Vally]

John Legend!

[urbancowgirl]

I recently discovered Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Their holiday album is great!