If 2020 has taught me one thing it’s that I don’t have a lot of ancillary sound in my daily life. All of the music, news, podcasts, and conversations are chosen by me. Since I am not going into stores, restaurants, and theaters this year, I am also not in my car very often so my exposure to seasonal music is only what I am hearing at home. That is a great thing! I am able to listen to holiday music, knowing that I won’t have to hear the same 10 songs in a loop. I can also throw in favorites that, although aren’t strictly holiday songs, have the same spirit.
Are you spending time this month organizing, baking, or decorating? We’ve all got those menial tasks this time of year that could use more joy and movement, and these songs will do just the trick without being loaded with too many holiday frills. (You know what I mean.)
Christmas in Hollis – Run DMC
Grey In LA – Loudon Wainwright III
Carol of the Bells – Los Lonely Boys
Little Drummer Boy/Hot Hot Hot – Wyclef Jean
What Christmas Means to Me – Hanson
Raise Your Glass – P!nk
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings – Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding
Oh How the Years Go By – Vanessa Williams
O Tannenbaum – Vince Guaraldi Trio (A Charlie Brown Christmas)
Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy – David Bowie & Bing Crosby
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
Elizabeth currently works in ticketing at the premier event venue in Kansas City. She is a freelance writer and transcriber, DIY enthusiast, and has been an overall badass since the day she was born.