Famous crooners Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby sang it best when they confessed, “Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful” because, during the colder months, it’s so joyful to be warm and cozy indoors. There’s something about this change in weather that brings families and friends closer together to create those extra-special memories. Every family and culture may have its unique way of celebrating, but the important part is being together.
And all of that enjoyment can be even more fun if you add some festive tunes to your holiday traditions and get-togethers. Allow us to take another thing off of your to-do list by providing some recommendations for our favorite holiday-inspired cheerful music. Below is a list of the best Spotify playlists to get you in the holiday spirit. Grab that eggnog, put on that holiday sweater (ugly or not!), jam out to The Everymom’s favorite holiday playlists, and dance the wintery night away!
1. Christmas Morning
Imagine yourself waking up for Christmas breakfast and starting the day with this ‘Christmas Morning’ playlist. It will surely put you and the whole family in a jolly mood while the aroma of your cinnamon Christmas waffles fills the whole house. The opening instrumentation to Michael Bublé’s version of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” is as magical as Christmas morning itself. With 105 songs ranging from Perry Como to The Lumineers, your day will be filled with good vibes until dinner time.
2. Classic Christmas Songs
Christmas isn’t Christmas without the vintage songs of Dean Martin’s “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!”, Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You),” Darlene Love’s “A Marshmallow World,” and Bing Crosby’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” It’s also special when we introduce our kids to songs that have withstood the test of time and have been the merry soundtrack of our lives.
3. Hanukkah Playlist
This playlist will inspire you to have it on repeat for all eight nights of Hanukkah because it adds all the festive spirit you would want during this holiday. It even includes some fun songs by Barenaked Ladies and Idina Menzel! Have this Hanukkah playlist in the background while your family plays dreidel or while you prepare delicious latkes.
4. The Everygirl Listens: Holiday Energy
Here at The Everymom and The Everygirl, we love classic Christmas music. But we also believe holiday hits shouldn’t stop there—and we love that some of our favorite artists have come out with instant classics that exude holiday energy. Some are specifically about the holidays while others aren’t but still have the same vibe. Think “Back to December” by Taylor Swift and “All My Love” by Noah Kahan mixed with holiday classics and newer Christmas movie soundtrack favorites.
5. Motown Soul Christmas Songs
Motown music really needs no explanation because the incredible sounds speak for themselves. It has produced some of the best artists in American music of all time. This playlist takes those masterful artists and showcases their holiday spirit Motown-style. You’ve got The Jackson 5, James Brown, and The Temptations all singing the best Christmas songs while you’re dancing around the tree! This playlist is about the length of an album at 13 songs. If you’re looking for a longer playlist, checkout Soul Christmasor Motown Records’ official Christmas playlist.
6. Family-Friendly Christmas Party
This playlist includes family-friendly holiday tunes your kids will love that you might not find on other lists. You’ll find “Ring in the Season” from Olaf’s Frozen Adventure and Jo Jo Siwa’s version of “Run Run Rudolph.” As a bonus, if you’re looking for songs for holidays that happen throughout the year, like Thanksgiving and Easter, try this other Holiday Songs for Kids playlist. It includes tunes to get little ones moving 365 days a year (i.e. “The Turkey Pokey” and “The Bunny Hop”).
7. Top 100 Holiday Songs
If you want everything and the kitchen sink when it comes to holiday music, this hodgepodge playlist is just for you. It’s also nice and long (17 hours of tunes!) so you can keep it playing throughout your baking, gift wrapping, and special family bonding time. I love any playlist that has Wham!, The Ronettes, John Legend, NSYNC, and Britney Spears all in one joyful music list! As an added bonus, this playlist starts off with the queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey, as she serenades us with her “All I Want for Christmas is You.”
8. Christmas Coffeehouse
Bring the coffeehouse feels to your own home this Christmas. Sit down with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and cozy up next to the fire with the winter rom-com you’ve been waiting to read all season long. Listen as the sounds of your Christmas candle crackle while Arturo Jimenes’ acoustic rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” plays in the background. Your kids just might want to join for some quiet time, too.
9. 100 Greatest Christmas Songs Ever
If you’re looking for songs that are old and songs that are new, this playlist has you covered. It has a nice sprinkle of everything to give you that holiday variety to keep your spirits high. From Sia and The Waitresses, to Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson, this Christmas playlist will get even Santa dancing in his sleigh!
10. Holiday Instrumental
We know you’re running around doing all sorts of holiday errands. Sometimes you just want some low-key songs to get you through the day in a joyful way. This playlist has an epic-amount of holiday songs—all instrumental! Think of any holiday song and this playlist probably has the instrumental version of it. Relax and chill with this ultimate holiday playlist. As an added bonus, it’s the perfect background music for any dinner party!
11. Every Christmas Song I Would Ever Want to Listen To
Our in-house Spotify queen and host of The Everygirl Podcast, Josie Santi, put together arguably the best holiday playlist to date. We may be biased, but give it a listen and we’re sure you’ll agree. Fittingly titled, you’ll find the best of the best holiday tunes in one spot filled with everything from the classics to Mariah Carey and beyond.
12. Cozy Christmas Pop
When the Christmas songs start to feel like a broken record, turn on the ‘Cozy Christmas Pop’ playlist. This playlist features a wide range of all our favorite artists. Kelly Clarkson’s and Chris Stapleton’s cozy vocal duo start it off. I found myself immediately nodding along to the beat. Sia’s “Snowman” will even have you wanting to find the closest snowman to hug.
13. World’s Best Christmas Playlist
Just like Buddy found the World’s Best Cup of Coffee in Elf, now you’ve got access to the ‘World’s Best Christmas Playlist.’ You’ll find holiday favorites, movie soundtracks, classics, and modern additions all in one place. With songs by Frank Sinatra, Queen, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Run DMC, and more, there’s something for everyone here!
14. Christmas Cocktail Jazz
If you’re having a girls’ night in or a few friends over for a peaceful parents’ night out, we’ve got the perfect jazzy cocktail playlist for you. Jazz bands like The Red Rudolph Band and The Holiday Horns will have you snapping your fingers all through the night. Enjoy your cocktail hour(s) as you carry out a conversation without any interruptions from your kids. Can someone pass the hors d’oeuvres, please?
15. Charlie Brown Christmas
Introducing holiday movies like A Charlie Brown Christmas is a parenting milestone. Not only is the Christmas classic fun to add to your holiday traditions this year, but the soundtrack is a nostalgic masterpiece, too. Don’t be surprised if your kids start saying, “Alexa, play ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ soundtrack on Spotify” on repeat. It never gets old.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carmen Garcia-Shushtari, Former Branded Content Editor
Carmen has over 20 years of experience working as a teacher, university administrator, and manager. Her true love has always been writing, and her editorial work explores the joys and challenges of being a working mother while pursuing her own dreams. She is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, a mom of two precious boys, and an LA native.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patty Schepel, Editorial Intern
As the editorial intern, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.
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