If you don't do a little shimmy and shake in front of the Christmas tree [1] to your favourite holiday song [2] after one too many glasses of eggnog, is it really Christmas? As far as we're concerned, the holiday is all about spending time with loved ones, sipping on warm drinks, and jamming out to festive tunes that take us back to Christmases past. In addition to the classics — like Mariah Carey [3]'s inimitable "All I Want For Christmas Is You [4]" — our editors have cheery songs from Taylor Swift [5], Ashley Tisdale [6], Pentatonix, Tyler, the Creator, and more playing on a loop all December long (sometimes even in November). As a holiday gift to all, we've decided to round up our favourite holiday songs and create a playlist of the holliest and jolliest tunes of the season.
Remember in Mean Girls [7] when Gretchen Wieners accidentally kicked Jason in the face with an entire stereo that was playing "Jingle Bell Rock"? Yeah, that's how this Christmas playlist is about to hit. Check out our picks for the all-around best holiday songs ahead.
"Christmas Tree Farm" by Taylor Swift
"My favourite holiday song has got to be 'Christmas Tree Farm' by Taylor Swift [9]. Yes, I'm a total Swiftie, but it's also just a damn cheerful, holly jolly tune! When those jingle bells hit, my mood is immediately boosted, and there's nothing quite like belting out, 'Oh baby, baby, Merry Christmas!' It's the perfect homesick holiday jam." — Charisandra Perez, social and partnerships coordinator
"All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey
"I'm not ashamed to pop this song immediately after Nov. 1 hits. As soon as Mariah's incredible vocals soar out of my earbuds, I'm transported to a winter wonderland filled with dancing nutcrackers and a sleigh-ful of sparkles. It's a holiday classic, as it should be." — Chanel Vargas, editorial assistant, trending and viral features
"Mary, Did You Know?" by Pentatonix
"'Mary, Did You Know?' is one of my favourite Christmas songs in general, but Pentatonix's version is especially beautiful to me. Their voices are heavenly (pun intended), and the track almost always moves me to tears." — Brea Cubit, assistant editor, celebrity and entertainment
"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" by Frank Sinatra
"Frank Sinatra was my late grandmother's favourite artist, so listening to him croon holiday songs is my way of keeping her spirit alive around Christmastime. The B. Swanson Quartet joins him to give this classic track a jazzy upgrade that makes me want to swing dance." — Victoria Messina, associate editor, trending and viral features
"Last Christmas" by Ashley Tisdale
"This is hands down the best version of 'Last Christmas' and no one can convince me otherwise. It's pure bubblegum pop with a slice of Christmas-flavoured angst and the perfect, subtle amount of jingle bells." — Maggie Ryan, assistant editor, fitness
"Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms
"When it comes down to it, the holiday classics can't be beat, and that includes Bobby Helms's original version of 'Jingle Bell Rock.' There's something about that guitar tune paired with the jingle bells shaking in the background that makes me want to sing, dance, and put on a show worthy of winning the North Shore High Winter Talent Show." — Chanel Vargas, editorial assistant, trending and viral features
"Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber
"I'll never forget when Justin Bieber released his first Christmas album right before the holiday season back in 2011. I was at the height of my Bieber fever phase, and 'Mistletoe' immediately became my favourite track because I imagined I was his 'shawty' and he wanted to smooch me under the mistletoe. Oh, the naive hopefulness of having an unattainable celebrity crush!" — Victoria Messina, associate editor, trending and viral features
"Shake Up Christmas" by Train
"First and foremost, Train is so nostalgic. As soon as I hear Pat Monahan's voice I think of 'Drops of Jupiter' and immediately get transported back to the early 2000s. Aside from that, this song has a super upbeat melody and is bound to put you in the Christmas spirit. 'Shape up the happiness, wake up the happiness, c'mon ya'll, it's Christmas time!'" — Haley Lyndes, editorial coordinator, growth and strategic features
"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" by Tyler, the Creator
"I didn't know 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch' could slap so hard, but leave it to Tyler, the Creator to transform this holiday song into a bass-boosted banger. It gets me in the festive mood while prompting me to dance to my heart's content." — Brea Cubit, assistant editor, celebrity and entertainment
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" by Bruce Springsteen
"My favourite holiday song is easily 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town' by Bruce Springsteen! Apparently, I used to rock back and forth in my car seat as a kid any time my parents put it on. I guess my love for Bruce started really young!" — Murphy Moroney, associate editor, family
"Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney
"Could a song be anymore wholesome than 'Wonderful Christmastime'? Paul McCartney is my favourite Beatle, and to be serenaded by him every holiday season as I stare longingly out of my California window, dreaming of snow, is always a Christmas wish come true. 'The moon is right. The spirit's up. We're here tonight, and that's enough.'" — Chanel Vargas, editorial assistant, trending and viral features
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee
"OK, admittedly, half of my love for this song probably comes from hearing it in Home Alone, but it's also just a fantastic Christmas song in its own right. It's one of those songs that always pops up on classic holiday playlists and immediately sends me into a 1950s Christmas daydream. And I'd be lying if I didn't mention that I try to copy the singer's voice just about every time the tune comes on." — Chanel Vargas, editorial assistant, trending and viral features
