A new decade is upon us, but there's one more thing that we need to get through before we ring in the Roaring Twenties: Christmas! The holiday season is our favourite time to snuggle under a blanket with some hot chocolate in our hands and a movie [1] on the TV, or listen to some of our favourite Christmas carols [2] to get in the holiday spirit.
Because this is the last Christmas of the decade, we've been feeling extra nostalgic about some of the great holiday music [3] that the last 10 years have brought us — as well as the tunes that filled our homes in the decade before then. So make sure your Santa hat is on tight, because in the spirit of Christmastime decade-end nostalgia, we're throwing it back and taking a look at some of the best Christmas albums from the 2000s.
Merry Christmas With Love by Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken's Christmas album is filled with beautiful Christmas classics that remind us why we first fell in love with him all those years ago.
Noël by Josh Groban
Josh Groban's "Christmas Time Is Here" duet with Tony Bennett never fails to make us feel like we're sitting next to a fireplace, no matter where we are.
8 Days of Christmas by Destiny's Child
We couldn't be more lucky that Destiny's Child [4] gave us this holiday collection as their last album together as a group.
Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection by Frank Sinatra
This album includes holiday music that spans legendary singer's entire career, including his dreamy rendition of "Silent Night" — the last Christmas carol Frank Sinatra ever recorded.
The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection by Taylor Swift
The nostalgia for country Taylor Swift [5] is real! We love this Christmas collection from T-Swift, so it's a shame that she's still fighting [6] for the rights to her own songs—including these.
Silver & Gold by Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams gives new life to some timeless Christmas classics on this album, but our favourite is her cover of The Carpenters' hit "Merry Christmas Darling."
All Wrapped Up by Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, & More
Disney stars like Miley Cyrus [7], the Jonas Brothers, and Demi Lovato [8] teamed up with the likes of the Plain White T's (and others) on this compilation album. What better Christmas music to listen to in middle school than that?
A Classic Christmas by Wynonna Judd
Wynonna's renditions of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Winter Wonderland" were popular and successful [9] when they were released, and with good reason: this whole album puts us in the Christmas spirit at any time of year.
One Wish: The Holiday Album by Whitney Houston
Because Whitney Houston is known for her countless pop hits [10], it might be easy to forget that she gifted us with these beautiful Christmastime covers too. Her "Little Drummer Boy" duet with her late daughter Bobbi Kristina brings us to tears now knowing the two are together again.
Brad Paisley Christmas by Brad Paisley
When we think Christmas, we think snow — something uncommon in the south — so Brad Paisley's holiday album gives us a taste of a real country Christmas.
Snowflakes by Toni Braxton
Before there was Tamar, there was Toni Braxton. We love the eldest Braxton sister's Christmas album most for the original songs that give us the R&B Christmas fantasy we deserve.
Sounds of the Season: The Julianne Hough Holiday Collection
We'll listen to or watch anything that Julianne Hough gives us, and this holiday album from the early years of her career is no different.
Home For Christmas by Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow [11] provides some great listening regardless of the time of year, which makes this Christmas album that much more enjoyable. Check out the original song "There Is a Star That Shines Tonight."
Cheetah-licious Christmas by The Cheetah Girls
Is there ever a bad time for The Cheetah Girls? Their cheetah-licious rendition of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" doesn't top Mariah Carey [12]'s, but we love the variety the young group gave us on this album.
Elton John's Christmas Party by Elton John
The artists and songs featured in this holiday compilation were handpicked by the Rocketman himself, and it shows. Kate Bush's gloriously campy "December Will Be Magic Again" remains one of our favourites.
This Christmas by Aretha Franklin
We've been missing Aretha Franklin since her passing in 2018, which makes her Christmas album that much better to listen to throughout the season.
A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas by Kristen Chenoweth
We don't need the album title to tell us that listening to Kristen Chenoweth is a lovely way to spend Christmas. Her mashup of "Sleigh Ride" and "A Marshmallow World" is as brilliant today as it was back then.
Christmas Fantasy by Anita Baker
It's no surprise that Anita Baker's cover of "Christmas Time Is Here" received a Grammy nomination; the R&B legend brings her signature style to every song on this album of beloved classics.
Have Yourself a Very KT Christmas by KT Tunstall
KT Tunstall remains a constant name in music, and with good reason. Look no further than her Christmas album: she gives her own signature twist to every song, and shows us different sides to many beloved classics.
Navidades by Luis Miguel
There's way more fun to be had in Spanish at Christmastime beyond singing "Feliz Navidad," and that's why we love this album from Luis Miguel. You didn't know you needed a Spanish version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" until now.
What a Wonderful World by LeAnn Rimes
To absolutely no one's surprise, LeAnn Rimes does every Christmas classic on this album justice.
It’s Christmas by Ledisi
Ledisi breathes soul into every piece of music she touches, and this Christmas album is no exception. There's no reason to not have it on repeat throughout the holiday season.
Joy to the World by Faith Hill
We love Faith Hill [13]'s take on the Christmas carols that make up this album, but it's the original song "A Baby Changes Everything" — a loose metaphor for Jesus and the Virgin Mary — that truly steals the show.
Ashanti's Christmas by Ashanti
Nothing makes us feel comforted more than listening to some Ashanti. Her Christmas album has the right balance of breathy vocals and R&B twists to make it as unique as Ashanti herself.
Miss Patti’s Christmas by Patti LaBelle
Because Miss Patti is in season all year round.
All I Want For Christmas Is a Real Good Tan by Kenny Chesney
We see a different side of Kenny Chesney on his album All I Want For Christmas Is a Real Good Tan, making it that much better of a choice for your next holiday playlist.
The Gift of Christmas by En Vogue
Music with attitude is the best kind of music, so it's always fun listening to En Vogue bring their energy to some holiday hits on their Christmas album.
A Lovemongers’ Christmas by Heart
It might be hard to believe that two rocker chicks could get us in the Christmas spirit, but Heart showed on this album that their musical talents know no bounds.