1) “Just For You” (Olivia Dean)

British R&B artist Olivia Dean originally created this song for an L.L. Bean advertisement. However, the song itself is catchy and perfect for whatever holiday you’re celebrating. The piece starts off with some jingle bells, which give it a fun wintery twist and layers nicely over the chill R&B beats that continue throughout the song. The lyrics tell the story of the joy of giving gifts to others and reflect the widespread tradition of gift giving across cultures during December.

2) “Mistletoe” (Justin Bieber)

“Mistletoe” is the perfect holiday song; backed by jingling bells the entire song. Bieber’s witty lyrics feature references to the Christmas story, other iconic holiday hits, and winter weather. His voice works nicely with the bells and the “plucky” guitar to make the song feel cozy and inviting. This piece is perfect to play while chilling by the fireplace under a blanket.

3) “Santa Baby” (Laufey)

Laufey, known for her silky voice and poetic lyrics, does a wonderful job of reimagining this Christmas classic. The song still retains its “ballet-core” backtrack and subtle instrumentation of violin and piano, which works wonderfully with Laufey’s classic voice. While “Santa Baby” has been a Christmas staple for years, Laufey managed to render it in a way that still encapsulates the vibe that made it so popular in the first place, while adding her own flair and ensuring that it will be a Christmas favorite this year.

4) “is it new years yet?” (Sabrina Carpenter)

The song starts off with a funky pop beat, crowned by tinkling bells and pop icon Sabrina Carpenter’s playful vocals and cynical lyrics. This song is one of my favorites because it stands out from the typical romanticizing of the winter months and instead tells the tale of a heartbroken woman ready for a new year and a new start. The song, while containing somewhat depressing lyrics, is lightened by the upbeat track and the salty jokes thrown in by Carpenter. “is it new years yet?” is perfect for those feeling a little jaded this holiday season, or anyone who wants some funky beats to dance to.

5) “All I Want for Christmas” (Mariah Carey)

This one obviously has to be on any holiday playlist. Ever since it debuted in 1994, Ms. Carey has dominated the charts with her catchy lyrics and ear-catching whistle notes. As of 2024, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has been on the Billboard Hot 100 list for a total of 68 weeks, where it has led the Christmas fever in the #1 spot for 15 weeks. Hopping on the bandwagon, I also recommend this song for your holiday playlist, because it’s popular for a reason. Carey’s powerful voice takes you on a sleigh ride up and down the octaves, making this song ideal for Christmas karaoke!

6) “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (Brenda Lee)

Much like Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas”, 60s pop icon Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” is a must-have for any holiday playlist. The jazz vibe, perpetuated by the saxophone solo in the middle of the song and the swinging backtrack, add a really fun twist to this song and will add some variety to your playlist. Lee’s voice pairs perfectly with the guitar and saxophone, adding depth to the pretty simple lyrics and making it super fun to sing along.

7) “Last Christmas” (Wham!)

U.K. pop duo Wham! put together a piece that is poetic and catchy all at the same time. The song has been a hit ever since a debut, so much so that it is recognizable exclusively by it’s instrumentation. Similar to Sabrina Carpenter’s “is it new years yet?”, “Last Christmas” focuses on the sadder side of celebrating holidays alone. While the lyrics are painfully honest, the backtrack is upbeat, catchy, and uplifting; making a hit for anyone’s holiday playlist.

8) “Run Rudolph Run” (Mark Ambor)

Mark Ambor, while not as big of a name as the other artists on this playlist, absolutely nailed this rendition of Chuck Berry’s classic. Ambor’s skills on the guitar harnessed the quick-paced and upbeat feel of the original, which paired perfectly with his raspy voice. The acoustic guitar actually adds a really nice cozy feel to the song and highlights all the key changes, which adds depth to the song and makes it really fun to listen to.

9) “What Christmas Means To Me” (John Legend feat. Stevie Wonder)

Like most of the songs on this list, “What Christmas Means to Me” starts off with the sound of jingle bells which welcomes that winter feel. Legend and Wonder’s voices blend together to create a ful, powerful sound. The background chorus adds some intrigue to the song, and the harmonica also creates some variance from the typical instrumentation of holiday pop. This song is ideal for a holiday cocktail party or a charcuterie night.

10) “Mr. Grinch” (Tyler, The Creator)

Honestly, this song is pretty 50/50 – some people like it and some people hate it. Personally I think that Tyler, The Creator does a great job of incorporating his own style into the Christmas classic of “Mr. Grinch”. While “Mr. Ginch” still features the classic nonsensical lyrics, Tyler also created a few rap verses of his own, which still mimic the style of Dr. Seuss, but also incorporate the vibe of classic R&B.  The background chorus of kids sounds really interesting when paired with Tyler’s voice, but it works well together and makes this song exciting to listen to.