When the school year begins and the first signs of fall appear, the holidays start to feel close again. Whether you’re organizing a get-together or just want to feel the holiday spirit in your home, the right Christmas music playlist can make all the difference.
Here are a few ideas to help you build a playlist that captures the spirit of the season, plus a handful of classic songs to include in your lineup.
Know Your Audience
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You’re the resident DJ for the party, so it’s essential to know what your guests like, too.
For a family event, some kid-friendly tunes from animated movies like Frozen or sing-along favorites like Last Christmas could be welcome.
For a work event, however, you might want to stick to a healthy assortment of popular standbys that generally appeal to everyone. Think about what you hear on Top 40 radio channels over the last few months of the year, and you’re sure to find some neutral winners there for your Christmas music playlist.
Create Dynamics
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Regardless of the guest list, keeping the overall mood lighthearted is a safe bet.
However, a one-note vibe doesn’t typically make for a winning party atmosphere. Consider adding a mix of sentimental classics with upbeat hits and other lighthearted fare.
If you think of the Christmas music playlist as the soundtrack to your party, you could consider creating a beginning, middle, and end.
Or, fluctuate between different genres and tempos for a fun mix of sounds that creates variety and a certain feel to the event.
Cover Songs? Yes, Please
Who doesn’t love a cover song? For those memorable group sing-along moments, a well-known cover performed by contemporary acts can be a powerful unifier.
You might also consider including the original and a newer cover for a fun contrast. Darlene Love’s Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) is a staple of many people’s Christmas music playlists, but Mariah Carey’s version is a standout, too. Even U2 has a version, if that’s what you’re into.
Or, if you and your guests are into something a little more contemporary, Justin Bieber’s The Little Drummer Boy is completely different from the version many of us know.
Honor the Classics
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We all have certain songs in mind that conjure holiday season memories. A lot of these time-tested classics appear on the radio each year, in every store you step into for holiday shopping, at the movie theater—everywhere, really.
Like cover songs, including these familiar favorites can create impromptu sing-alongs and some warm, fuzzy moments, too.
Thoughts of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town come to mind.
But Don’t Snooze on Contemporary Hits
L-R) Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas.
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One mistake to avoid is overrunning your Christmas music playlist with the age-old holiday classics. You don’t want to be a one-note wonder. Holiday-themed contemporary tunes from popular artists can strike an appealing balance between old and new.
Some songs venture into covers of Christmas classics, but artists like Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, The Jonas Brothers, and Ne-Yo all offer modern takes on holiday tunes.
Think Outside the Christmas Box
Above: Lady Gaga performs onstage during the ‘Deep from the Heart: The One America Appeal Concert’ at Reed Arena on the campus of Texas A&M University on October 21, 2017 in College Station, Texas.
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Don’t forget to consider non-Christmas songs for your holiday playlist. You’re hosting a party; why not add some party go-tos?
Add variety, keep the momentum, and spread some cheer with dance anthems, pop hits, and songs that have nothing at all to do with the end of the year, snowy days, or Christmas characters.
Must-Have Songs for Your Holiday Party Music Playlist
If you need a little inspiration, consider these suggestions for a successful holiday playlist:
- All I Want for Christmas – Mariah Carey
- Last Christmas – Wham!
- Mary, Did You Know? – Pentatonix
- Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto – James Brown
- Santa Baby – Ariana Grande
- 8 Days of Christmas – Destiny’s Child
- I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Michael Bublé
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
- Feliz Navidad – José Feliciano
- Uptown Funk – Bruno Mars
- One More Time – Daft Punk
- Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake
- Silent Night – The Temptations
- Christmas Tree Farm – Taylor Swift
- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
- O Tannenbaum – Vince Guaraldi Trio
- What Christmas Means to Me – John Legend
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