Whether you’re spending winter break celebrating the winter holidays or just the fact finals are over, The Herald Editorial Board is here to gift you our music recommendations this holiday season.
From classics like Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” to recent releases like Bleachers’ “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call,” our playlist has something for everyone, no matter the celebration.
Here’s what we’re listening to this month (and what you should be, too).
Shelbi Bale – Graphic Design Editor
The holidays have always felt like a bittersweet time to me, and I think my song choice reflects that! There is nothing more soothing during this season than unwinding next to a fire while some mellow tunes play.
- “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses
- “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call” by Bleachers
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” cover by the Rat Pack
- “Thank God It’s Christmas” by Queen
- “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” cover by Barenaked Ladies ft. Sarah McLachlan
Ali Costellow – Content Editor
While I do love classic Christmas music, this year, I have been listening more to holiday songs from some of my favorite artists. These songs get me in a festive mood but can also fit into my regular queue and are perfect for the drive to my favorite thrift/antique stores.
- “(Wtfamp) the Christmas Song” by Letters to Cleo
- “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses
- “Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono
- “River” cover by Olivia Rodrigo
- “Christmastime is Here” cover by Stone Temple Pilots
Aside from holiday music, I always like to revisit some of my favorites as the end of the year approaches. I have also spent the month cycling through albums from some of my go-to bands including Veruca Salt, Daisy Jones & the Six and Cage the Elephant.
Emmy Libke – Multimedia Editor
As I have gotten older, Christmas has become a season filled with nostalgia and sentimentality. Many of the Christmas songs I listen to evoke memories and experiences that make this time of year so special to me. Here are five songs that bring back the warmth and nostalgic spirit of the season.
- “Pas De Deux” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- “The Christmas Waltz” by Frank Sinatra
- “White Winter Hymnal” by Pentatonix
- “Jingle Bells” by Frank Sinatra
- “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Jake McMahon – Sports Editor
Christmas music is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. I love listening to the same tracks my parents listened to when I was growing up because the nostalgia always gets me excited for Christmas. Here are my top five songs to listen to during the holidays.
- “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues
- “Father Christmas” by The Kinks
- “That Spirit of Christmas” by Ray Charles
- “What Christmas Means to Me” by Stevie Wonder
- “Ave Maria + Intro” by Chris Cornell and Eleven
Adin Parks – Assistant Photo Editor
To be completely honest, I don’t listen to that much Christmas music during the Christmas season. I’m just excited to see family and have a jolly good time! Here’s what I would listen to if I was handed the aux around the tree.
- Sing We the Song of Immanuel – Matt Boswell
- Xmas in the Stix – Nobigdyl
- Santa Tell Me – Ariana Grande
- Christmas This Year – Tobymac
- Mistletoe – Justin Bieber
Eli Randolph – Photo Editor
My taste in Christmas music is heavily influenced by my mom. From playing music around the house to not being able to start decorating the tree until there was music, she created so many fond memories of Christmas music for me. From classics to country, here are my top five Christmas songs.
My top five songs for the past four weeks are:
- “If We Make It Through December” by Cody Johnson
- “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson
- “I Pray on Christmas” by Harry Connick Jr.
- “Merry Christmas Darling” by Carpenters
- “Pretty Paper” by Cody Johnson
Bailey Reed – Newsletter Editor
With cold weather closing in, I enjoy my holiday season under fuzzy blankets with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. The music I choose to fit this vibe is a nice mix of exciting and warmhearted to keep me singing along. I may be crazy, but I have been listening to Christmas music since November! I hope you resonate with my favorite songs.
- “Tennessee Christmas” by Amy Grant
- “Merry Christmas” by Ed Sheeran and Elton John
- “Last Christmas” by Wham!
- “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra
- “Mary, Did You Know?” By Pentatonix
Cameron Shaw – Assistant Content Editor
Christmas time for me brings excitement and nostalgia as the year comes to a close. I’ve tried to encapsulate those feelings into this playlist by including two of my all-time favorite hymns, a Charlie Brown classic, an evocative hit from the “Polar Express” and a sad country song for sitting by a fire.
- “Believe” by Josh Groban
- “Christmas Time Is Here” by Vince Guaraldi Trio
- “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Frank Sinatra
- “O Come All Ye Faithful” by Nat “King” Cole
- “Broken Window Serenade” by Whiskey Myers
Price Wilborn – Editor-in-Chief
Like many people, the holiday season is one that brings feelings of nostalgia. A lot of what I listen to this time of year are older Christmas songs and just music in general that reminds me of time with family members. I love this time of year, and music is such a large part of that.
- “Please Come Home for Christmas” by The Eagles
- “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke
- “Universal Sound” by Tyler Childers
- “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson
- “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley
I’ve also found that my Spotify Wrapped brought me back to music I forgot I listened to at the beginning of the year. Once finals were over, I was ready to relax and ready for winter break, and Spotify Wrapped was a fun way I was able to prepare.
