As promised, I'm going to give you my ultimate Holiday albums for this time of year. My preferred type of holiday music is more old school, with the big band and sultry voices of Frank, Dean, and Ella, but I'll also try to include other musical styles as well. Whether you're on the road to see your family for the festivities, hanging at home, or just taking a cruise around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights, these are my top 10 Christmas albums that, without a doubt, put me in the holiday spirit.


10. Merry Christmas - Mariah Carey

You can't have a festive Christmas album without the big sound that Mariah Carey brings. Her voice is so fluid, rich, and warm. Paired with the atmosphere of Christmas, you can't go wrong. As well, after hearing "All I Want for Christmas Is You" on the radio so many times, there gets a point where you eventually just have to know what the rest of the album sounds like. Although she has a Vol. II out, I'm definitely talking about the original from 1994.

iTunes Price: $7.99


9. That's Christmas to Me - Pentatonix

Winners of NBC's Sing-Off in 2011, the A Capella group came out with a much-anticipated Christmas album. With the absence of instruments, their voices shine wonderfully. I had the privilege of listening to this album at least twice in one afternoon because Robby's sister had just gotten the album, and it certainly creates an upbeat atmosphere. For those that appreciate the capabilities of the human voice, this album is excellent an excellent addition. Some of my favorites are "White Winter Hymnal" and "Mary, Did You Know?" Also, their rendition of "Winter Wonderland" combines with Bob Marley's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" for a surprisingly festive blend of the two.

iTunes Price: $7.99


8. White Christmas - Martina McBride

This album carries a lot of nostalgia for me. My mother loves Martina McBride, so there were many a Christmas season where we listened to this collection while putting up the tree, and hanging the ornaments. Martina McBride, though usually associated with the Country music genre, provides a sound that everyone can certainly enjoy. It always made me want to cuddle up in cozy socks, with a cup of something warm, and have a good book to enjoy by a wonderful fire. Enjoyed best with snow falling!

iTunes Price: $9.99


7. Faith - Kenny G.

Oh, Kenny G. This album was released in 1999, and it's always been a favorite of mine. The way he plays the saxophone has gotten him worldwide fame, but in his holiday collection, it's such a classy blend of all the great holiday songs. I've always LOVED his Millennium Mix of Auld Lang Syne. It has radio recordings of all the great and terrible moments from the past century, and always gets me emotional. Also, the fact that he includes "We Three Kings" paired with "Carol of the Bells" is wonderful. I grew up singing the former in church and playing the latter in my high school bell choir (nerd alert). If you're a fan of a more classical take, then this album, if not already in your collection, certainly should be.

iTunes Price: $9.99


6. Christmas - Michael Bublé

Deemed as a modern-day Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé is, by now, a household name. His warmth, energy, and overall sound is exquisite. And, of course, his Christmas album is NO exception. Released in 2011, this is a definite must-have if you're into that old school, classic big band sound. He covers all of the classics, has guest appearances by Shania Twain, Thalia and the Puppini Sisters and even includes a Christmas Greeting on his deluxe album.

iTunes Price: $7.99/$14.99 (deluxe)




5. Oh For Joy - David Crowder Band

Bringing their eclectic folk-country-electric-rock style to a Christmas album, I've thoroughly enjoyed putting this arrangement of songs on over the holidays, especially when driving around light-seeking. It only includes 8 songs, but they are nothing short of upbeat and fun. From their first song, "Joy to the World," to their last, they add magic to the holiday songs you've been familiar with your whole life. I love it. They are a Christian band, and their songs represent the meaning of the holiday for us believers.

iTunes Price: $5.99


4. Noël - Josh Groban

Who can talk about a big sound without mentioning Josh Groban? His voice is phenomenal anyway, but paired with Christmas music?! Stop. As soon as his album came out in 2007, you can bet I was ALL over it. He has guest voices from Brian McKnight to Faith Hill, and all of those classic favorites. My personal favorites are probably the Scottish twist he adds to "Little Drummer Boy" and his deliverance of Ave Maria. Also, the beauty of including our troops and their Christmas messages to their families in "I'll be Home for Christmas" is an original tribute to the fact that this particular holiday song was written for our troops who were fighting in WWII. I love this album! It is always in my car around this time of year, and constantly on whenever the family and I go looking at Christmas lights. Just . . . I always need this album in my life. Always.

iTunes Price: $7.99


3. Ella Wishes You a Swingin' Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald

#1 - it's Ella Fitzgerald, #2 - it has that beautiful retro sound, and #3 - the album transports you back to a classy, much simpler time where everything was different. This is my go-to if I'm cleaning my house or having company over for a relaxing, intimate evening. If you enjoy those big band sounds, as I've alluded to a ton of times already, you honestly cannot go wrong with Ella. She has such a lovely, silky voice and jovial, holiday style. Another LOVE for the Christmas album.

iTunes Price: $7.99



2. Holiday For Swing! - Seth MacFarlane

First, let me start off by saying . . . WHAT. I'll be honest. I'm not a big Seth MacFarlane fan. I think his comedy is distasteful and his shows are offensive. To be honest, I don't pay much attention to him. But to have gone this long without knowing he can sing the way he can (I mean, I guess an effect of avoiding him) seems ridiculous. I originally heard him promoting his album on the Elvis Duran in the Morning Show without knowing it was him until they said his name. I drove the rest of the way to work in disbelief that he could make an album that rivaled the sounds of the Rat Pack. So again I say . . . WHAT. That day, I previewed it on YouTube and decided I needed it in my collection. What's cool and makes his album different is that he pays attention to holiday songs that don't get a lot of recognition and then adds his own twist to it while still including the big band element. It's awesome! He also has special guests Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles. I see you Seth MacFarlane, I see you.

iTunes Price: $7.99


1. Christmas with the Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin

I mean, were you surprised? This has almost always been the constant in my CD player in my car as soon as December 1 hits. I literally look forward to this album with stupid excitement as soon as November rolls around. I refuse to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, but my goodness, it's almost like a drug the moment I hear Dean's voice come over the speakers singing "Let It Snow!" I melt every time. Also, "The Christmas Waltz" has to be one of my all-time favorite songs ever. I have yet to find someone who can sing it as well as Frank. And who doesn't want to start slow dancing with your special someone when Sammy Davis, Jr. sings "The Christmas Song"? C'mon now! It's just perfection. Perfection.

iTunes Price: $9.99


I hope you enjoyed my Christmas Tunes list! Clearly, I'm a little biased when it comes to my type of holiday music. Some honorable mentions would have to include Rend Collective - Campfire Christmas, Vol. I, Andrea Bocelli - My Christmas, and the holiday albums by Frank Sinatra, Nat "King" Cole, and Tony Bennett. Other artists that have a different sound, whose holiday albums I've also thoroughly found enjoyable are: James Taylor, She & Him, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Sufjan Stevens. An album with various female artists singing lovely Christmas songs is: Winter Songs. It's definitely worth a look into!

Happy Holidays! I hope you're able to spend them surrounded by loved ones, or at least people who make you feel warm inside! Later this month, I'm going to include what my mother and I are making for the holidays (since we always make something for our family) and my New Years' Eve plans. Stay tuned and Happy Adventuring! xoxo