Songs About Decorating For Christmas

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why trust us?

The 70 Best Christmas Songs of All Time

Get your holly jolly on with the ultimate holiday playlist.

Best Christmas Songs

Betsy Farrell

There are two types of people in the world: Those who listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving ... and Grinches. Fine, that's not exactly true, but there's just something magical about Christmas songs — the nostalgia, the traditions, the feeling that can only be described as jolly — that just set the mood. So, even if you're the type to wait until after Turkey day, if you're decorating the house, trimming the tree, wrapping gifts or just in the mood to relax and want to listen to some of your holiday favorites, we've created a playlist of the best Christmas songs of all time.

The list, which ranges from 1942 to today, has a little bit of everything. There are the old, classic favorites you look forward to hearing every year. There are the under-the-radar, modern Christmas songs that should be classics, but haven't been around long enough yet to reach that status. There are country Christmas songs that add a bit of twang to the holiday. And, of course, there's Mariah, because no playlist would be complete without her. Throw these all on your playlist, and you'll put modern Christmas radio stations to shame.

2 of 71

I'll Be Home For Christmas (1943)

We couldn't stop at one Crosby tune; his heartfelt holiday song is a moving tribute to the soldiers fighting in World War II.

AMAZON ITUNES

3 of 71

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (1944)

Judy Garland originally recorded this soft Christmas song for the musical Meet Me in St. Louis, which is about four daughters coming of age while getting ready to move to New York. Time for a re-watch?

AMAZON ITUNES

4 of 71

The Christmas Song (1946)

Everyone knows this holiday song, so it barely needs a name — it's the one where Nat King Cole sings, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." It's so popular that it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974.

AMAZON ITUNES

5 of 71

Frosty the Snowman (1947)

6 of 71

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (1948)

This jazzy holiday song by Frank Sinatra is about that cold winter weather we all have a love-hate relationship with. Although it wasn't on his original Christmas album, it was featured on the updated compilation album.

AMAZON ITUNES

7 of 71

Santa Baby (1953)

This cheeky song by Eartha Kitt is about wanting some pretty extravagant Christmas gifts. Even though this is a holiday tune, it's one of her most well-known songs ever.

AMAZON ITUNES

8 of 71

Blue Christmas (1957)

Elvis Presley's recording of this song is the most well-known version, but rumor has it that he didn't even want to sing it in the first place, according to an interview with late singer Millie Kirkham.

AMAZON ITUNES

9 of 71

Run, Rudolph, Run (1958)

When you need a Christmas song with some rock and roll to it, Chuck Berry is the first one to call. This one will get people to get up and dance!

AMAZON ITUNES

10 of 71

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (1958)

Brenda Lee was only 13 years old (!) when she recorded this holiday favorite. She'd probably wouldn't have guessed that people would still be listening to it today.

AMAZON ITUNES

12 of 71

The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) (1958)

This novelty Christmas song came out back in the '50s, but we're sure everyone still knows what Alvin wants to find under the tree. It's a certified kid-pleaser.

AMAZON ITUNES

14 of 71

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (1963)

15 of 71

Christmas, Baby Please Come Home (1963)

Darlene Love's barn-burner of a song may be about heartbreak, but it makes us happy to hear it every year.

AMAZON ITUNES

16 of 71

Christmastime Is Here (1965)

There's something melancholy about this song, which everyone knows from A Charlie Brown Christmas, but it wouldn't feel like the holidays without it. You can get this song with the vocals, or as an instrumental.

AMAZON ITUNES

17 of 71

A Holly Jolly Christmas (1965)

Though it's sung by the great Burl Ives, this song was actually written by Johnny Marks, who, despite being Jewish, wrote tons of other popular Christmas songs, including "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" and "Run Rudolph Run."

AMAZON ITUNES

18 of 71

Winter Wonderland (1966)

Dean Martin's take on this classic holiday hit is upbeat and genuinely fun to listen to. He, too, has an entire Christmas album complete with his take on all your holiday favorites.

AMAZON ITUNES

19 of 71

Merry Christmas, Baby (1968)

20 of 71

Christmastime Is Here Again (1968)

The Flirtations may not have achieved the heights of other '60s girl groups, but their Christmas number, originally released as a B-side, is a banger.

AMAZON ITUNES

21 of 71

Feliz Navidad (1970)

Puerto Rican singer José Feliciano's upbeat song has easy-to-remember lyrics in both Spanish and English, making it the best bi-lingual Christmas song.

AMAZON ITUNES

22 of 71

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (1970)

Even though Jimmy Boyd was the original artist of this song, Jackson 5's cover is so much catchier, with funky beats, amazing vocals and innocent conversations recorded in the background.

AMAZON ITUNES

24 of 71

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (1971)

John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded this with the Harlem Community Choir as a protest song against the Vietnam War, and it eventually became a classic Christmas hit.

AMAZON ITUNES

25 of 71

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy (1977)

David Bowie and Bing Crosby teamed up for this duet for the TV special Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas. Sadly, it was was one of the last recordings Crosby made before he died.

AMAZON

26 of 71

Christmas Must Be Tonight (1977)

For Christmas with a roots-rock vibe, this song by The Band celebrates the life of the "son of a carpenter" who brought the world joy.

AMAZON ITUNES

27 of 71

Wonderful Christmastime (1980)

John Lennon wasn't the only Beatle to make a Christmas classic: Paul McCartney wrote his about the good vibes on Christmas.

AMAZON ITUNES

28 of 71

Christmas Wrapping (1981)

This New Wave tune details a lot of near-misses between the singer and a love interest, until they finally get together on Christmas. Anyone nursing a holiday crush can relate.

AMAZON ITUNES

29 of 71

Hard Candy Christmas (1982)

30 of 71

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (1982)

Amina Lake Abdelrahman, Good Housekeeping Institute Editorial Assistant Amina is an editorial assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she works with lab experts (who test all the latest products) and writes original content based on their recommendations.

Marisa LaScala Parenting & Relationships Editor Marisa LaScala covers all things parenting, from the postpartum period through empty nests, for GoodHousekeeping.com; she previously wrote about motherhood for Parents and Working Mother.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io