How to Write Christmas Music [Ultimate Guide + Templates] - Writing Beginner (2024)

Ho ho hold my eggnog: You’ve been struck by the irresistible urge to add to the approximately 7 trillion existing Christmas songs.

Maybe you’re tired of Mariah Carey’s annual emergence from her candy cane cryo-chamber, or perhaps you’ve finally snapped after hearing “Last Christmas” for the 647th time at your local supermarket. Whatever your reason, you’ve decided to throw your Santa hat into the ring of Christmas music composition.

Here is how to write Christmas music, step by step.

Step 1: Choose Your Christmas Music Archetype

(This post may have afilliate links. Please see my full disclosure)

First, you’ll need to decide which tried-and-true Christmas song category you’re going to shamelessly copy, err, I mean, pay homage to.

[Note: This guide was written while under the influence of excessive eggnog and holiday spirit. Results may vary. No reindeer were harmed in the making of this guide.]

The “Santa’s Coming” Banger

This is your “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” territory.

The formula is simple: remind children that an elderly man is watching their every move and will judge them accordingly. Bonus points if you can make this creepy concept sound jolly.

Example verse:

He’s checking his spreadsheet
Running analytics twice
Monitoring your screen time
To see if you’ve been nice

The “Missing Christmas Love” Tearjerker

Ah yes, the “All I Want for Christmas Is You” approach.

Nothing says “holiday cheer” quite like romantic desperation with a sprinkle of sleigh bells.

Example verse:

The mistletoe is lonely
The eggnog tastes like pain
If you don’t come home this Christmas
I’ll never smile again

The “Winter Wonderland” Description

Just describe snow. Seriously, that’s it. Throw in some imagery about frost on windows and boom – you’ve got yourself a classic.

The “Christmas Gone Wrong” Comedy

Think “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” but maybe with fewer manslaughter implications.

Step 2: Master the Magic of Christmas Music Theory

Now, let’s talk about the musical elements that make Christmas songs instantly recognizable.

Here’s what you need.

The Key of Christmas

Fun fact: 87% of Christmas songs are in major keys because apparently, minor keys are reserved for Halloween.

C major and G major are particularly festive, probably because they’re easy enough for tipsy carolers to sing.

The Sacred Christmas Chord Progression

I-IV-V is your best friend. If it was good enough for “Jingle Bells,” it’s good enough for you. Want to get fancy?

Throw in a vi chord for that “All I Want for Christmas Is You” sophistication.

Mandatory Musical Elements:

• Sleigh bells (If you can’t hear them, you’re not trying hard enough)
• Bell-like piano or celesta
• String swells
• That one specific tambourine shake that screams “CHRISTMAS!”

Step 3: Lyrical Devices That Scream “CHRISTMAS!”

Now that we’ve got the music down, it’s time to stuff your lyrics with more Christmas references than a mall in December.

The Christmas Vocabulary Checklist

For maximum Christmas impact, include at least 7 of these words:

• Snow/snowing/snowman/snowflake
• Sleigh/reindeer
• Mistletoe
• Holly
• Star
• Christmas tree
• Fireplace
• Presents/gifts
• Peace on Earth (counts as one)
• Joy
• Home
• Santa/St. Nick/Kris Kringle
• Bells

Advanced Strategy: The Christmas Mad Lib

When stuck, use this foolproof template: “The [Christmas noun] is [Christmas adjective] tonight, While [Christmas character] is [Christmas verb-ing] with [Christmas noun 2]”

Example: “The snowman is glowing tonight, While Santa is dancing with bells”

See? Instant Christmas magic!

Step 4: Advanced Christmas Song Structures

Let’s explore the architectural blueprints of Christmas classics that’ll make your song structurally sound (and commercially viable).

The Christmas Story Arc

Every great Christmas song tells a story. Here are the approved plot options:

1. Someone is sad but then Christmas fixes it
2. Someone is happy and Christmas makes them happier
3. Someone doesn’t believe in Christmas magic but then sees Santa
4. Someone falls in love because… Christmas
5. Someone learns the true meaning of Christmas (spoiler: it’s usually love or family or not being a terrible person)

The Christmas Bridge

The bridge of your Christmas song must contain at least one of these elements:

• A key change so dramatic it gives listeners whiplash
• A spoken word section where you whisper “Merry Christmas, baby”
• A random “fa la la la la” sequence
• Sleigh bells having an absolute nervous breakdown
• A choir appearing out of nowhere
• Some combination of all of the above

Step 5: Production Tips

Time to turn your festive tune into a proper production. Warning: excessive sleigh bells ahead.

The Phil Spector Wall of Christmas

More is more. Layer those tracks like you’re wrapping presents.

Can you hear the sleigh bells? Add more sleigh bells. Can you clearly hear the sleigh bells now? Perfect, double them.

The Christmas Reverb

Everything needs to sound like it was recorded in a giant snow globe. The more reverb, the more Christmas-y it becomes. This is science.

The Children’s Choir Nuclear Option

When all else fails, add a children’s choir. It’s the musical equivalent of putting a puppy in your Instagram post.

Manipulative? Perhaps. Effective? Absolutely.

Step 6: Marketing Your Christmas Masterpiece

Writing the song was the easy part. Now comes the real challenge: convincing people they need another Christmas song in their lives.

The Release Timeline

Want your Christmas song to succeed? Release it in July, obviously.

Nothing says “summer beach vibes” quite like a song about snowmen. By the time December rolls around, people will think they’ve always known your song – they just can’t remember where from.

The Music Video Formula

Every Christmas music video must include:

• Fake snow (bonus points if it’s clearly soap suds)
• A sweater that would make your grandmother proud
• At least one scene of you gazing wistfully out a frost-covered window
• Random slow-motion shots of ornaments falling
• You pretending to be surprised by something off-camera (probably Santa)
• A final scene where everyone inexplicably starts dancing

Social Media Strategy

Create a TikTok challenge called #ChristmasCardioChallenge where people have to do specific dance moves while wearing oven mitts and balancing a candy cane.

Will it have anything to do with your song? Absolutely not. Will it somehow go viral? Probably.

Step 7: Secret Industry Tips

Here are the classified strategies that big-time Christmas hitmakers don’t want you to know (mostly because they’re too embarrassed to admit using them).

The Christmas Cover Strategy

Can’t write a Christmas song? No problem!

Simply take any existing non-Christmas song and add sleigh bells. “Stairway to Heaven”? Add sleigh bells. “Purple Rain”? Sleigh bells. “WAP”?

You better believe it needs sleigh bells.

The Christmas Collaboration Hack

Feature artists on your Christmas song using the following formula:

• One washed-up 80s star
• One current pop sensation
• One person who was on a reality show
• Morgan Freeman saying “Ho Ho Ho” (or a decent impersonator)

The Christmas Remix Portfolio

Prepare these versions of your song in advance:

• The “Cozy Fireplace” Acoustic Version
• The “Mall Shopping” Dance Remix
• The “What Have We Done” Dubstep Version
• The “Grandma’s Favorite” Traditional Orchestra Version
• The “Nobody Asked For This” EDM Version
• The “TikTok Made Me Do It” Sped-Up Version

Check out this video about how to write Christmas music:

Advanced Techniques for the Serious Christmas Composer

You’ve mastered the basics and you’re ready to move beyond “Rudolph Redux.”

Let’s dive into the advanced techniques that separate the Christmas chart-toppers from the holiday has-beens.

The Meta-Christmas Song

Write a song about writing Christmas songs. It’s so meta it hurts, but someone will probably call it clever.

After all, if Mariah can make millions singing about wanting you for Christmas, your song about a breakdancing elf might just have a chance.

Trying to write a Christmas song
Everything’s been done before
Even this song about writing songs
Has probably been written four times or more

The Christmas Key Change

Never underestimate the power of an unnecessary key change. If Mariah can do it, so can you. The rule of thumb: when in doubt, go up a half step. When still in doubt, do it again.

The Christmas Callback

Reference other Christmas songs in your lyrics. It’s not plagiarism, it’s “tradition”:

Rudolph’s nose was shining bright
While chestnuts roasted in the night
Frosty danced with angels we had heard on high
And grandma somehow dodged that sleigh this time

Three Complete Christmas Song Templates

To make your wintertime songwriting sessions as easy as possible, experiment with these ready-made templates:

Template 1: The Modern Christmas Romance

Verse 1: [Weather condition] nights in [month] [Description of scene] with [Christmas decoration] [Personal item] reminds me of [memory] When we used to [romantic winter activity]

Chorus: This Christmas needs [something missing] Like [simile about love/loss] The [Christmas item] feels so [emotion] Without [person/thing] by my side Maybe next [timeframe] We’ll [hopeful future action] ‘Cause Christmas isn’t Christmas Without [emotional need]

[Copy verse structure for Verse 2]

Bridge: They say [common Christmas saying] But [contradictory feeling] When you’re [distance] away And I’m [lonely action]

Template 2: The Fun Holiday Song

Verse 1: [Family member 1] is [holiday action] While [family member 2] [different action] [Pet/child] just [mischievous deed] And [consequence of above action]

Chorus: It’s a [adjective] Christmas With [number] [holiday items] [Exclamation] Christmas When [funny situation] Got the [group of people] All [celebratory action] Making memories that’ll last On this [same adjective] Christmas

[Copy verse structure for Verse 2]

Template 3: The Christmas Magic Story

Verse 1: [Time] on [specific Christmas date] [Magical occurrence] in the [location] Heard a [mysterious sound] from [direction] Then I saw [unexpected sight]

Chorus: [Christmas character] was [unusual action] [Different character] [different action] [Third character] [modern activity] by the tree Magic happens [specific time] On [holiday name] When [magical transformation]

[Copy verse structure for Verse 2]

Bridge: [Number] [Christmas creatures] Doing [modern activity] While [Christmas character] [uses technology] And [unexpected outcome]

Template Variables Guide:

• [Weather condition]: snowy, frosty, starlit, etc.
• [Christmas decoration]: tinsel, lights, wreath, etc.
• [Christmas character]: Santa, Rudolf, Frosty, etc.
• [Holiday items]: presents, stockings, cookies, etc.
• [Emotion]: empty, magical, perfect, etc.

50 Christmas Song Ideas

Get in the Christmas spirit with these creative song starters:

1. “Christmas Morning Coffee (And You)”
2. “Santa’s Social Media Manager”
3. “North Pole WiFi Password”
4. “Left My Heart in a Snow Globe”
5. “Christmas in Hawaii (Still Counts)”
6. “The Regifting Song”
7. “My Grandma’s Secret Cookie Recipe”
8. “December Dating App”
9. “Everyone’s Got Their Christmas Playlist”
10. “Stuck at the Airport (Christmas Eve)”
11. “The Christmas Proposal”
12. “Zoom Christmas With The Family”
13. “Making Snow Angels (In The Sand)”
14. “Christmas Tree Assembly Blues”
15. “The Gift Receipt Romance”
16. “Ugly Sweater Beautiful Heart”
17. “Christmas Market Love Story”
18. “Santa’s GPS Is Broken”
19. “Hot Chocolate Kiss”
20. “December Deadline (Christmas Can Wait)”
21. “The Christmas Karaoke Queen”
22. “Wrapping Paper Emergency”
23. “Holiday Happy Hour”
24. “Christmas Card Photoshoot”
25. “The Mall Santa’s Last Day”
26. “First Christmas In Our New Home”
27. “Christmas Morning Mimosas”
28. “The Holiday Party Promotion”
29. “Christmas Countdown Clock”
30. “Tinsel in Your Hair”
31. “The Christmas Cookie Competition”
32. “Last-Minute Shopping Sprint”
33. “Christmas Lights in the City”
34. “Holiday Break Traffic”
35. “The Office Secret Santa”
36. “Christmas Morning Pillow Fight”
37. “Caroling in the Cold”
38. “The Christmas Eve Proposal”
39. “Holiday Houseguests”
40. “Christmas Morning Pancakes”
41. “The Christmas Bonus Blues”
42. “Holiday Happy Hour Heroes”
43. “Christmas in the Friendzone”
44. “The Christmas Gym Motivation”
45. “Santa’s Social Media Manager”
46. “Christmas Eve Time Zones”
47. “The Holiday Hometown Return”
48. “Christmas Morning Yoga”
49. “The Christmas Cleaning Frenzy”
50. “New Year’s Eve (Christmas Ain’t Over)”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Before you rush to release your holiday hit, let’s review the pitfalls that have claimed many aspiring Christmas songwriters.

The Oversell

Don’t try to cram every Christmas reference into one song.

We get it, you know what Christmas is. You don’t need to mention Santa, his reindeer, the nativity, Frosty, the Grinch, and Home Alone all in the first verse.

The False Rhyme

“December” does not rhyme with “remember” no matter how many times you try to make it work. And for the love of all things holly, stop trying to rhyme “Christmas” with “wishmas.”

The Time Trap

Avoid specific references to technology or current events unless you want your song to age like milk left out for Santa:

Checking my Instagram on Christmas Eve
Waiting for Santa’s live stream to begin
blessed with all these presents under the tree
Can’t wait to TikTok my holiday win

The Generic Winter Song

If your song could be about any cold day, you’ve failed.

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” already cornered the market on weather-based holiday controversy.

The Final Jingle: How to Write Christmas Music

Writing Christmas music is like making fruit cake – everybody does it, few do it well, but we keep trying anyway.

The key is to embrace the cheese, commit to the corniness, and remember that somewhere out there, someone is probably desperately searching for a fresh Christmas song to add to their holiday playlist.

If Mariah can make millions singing about wanting you for Christmas, your song about a breakdancing elf might just have a chance.

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