Current mood: passive, laid-back, and merry
Number of seconds till Christmas morning: (as of 12:16 am on Dec 24th) 71,040
Chocolate Treat of the day: Peppermint Bark

Last Christmas I wrote a post where I listed the top 12 worst Christmas songs of all time. This year, however, in the spirit of positivity and joy, I’ve decided to post my “top 8″ picks for best renditions of great Christmas songs. These are all songs that are not only quality good Christmas carols (ie-songs that dont make you scratch your head in confusion or make you want to tear your hair out because they are so annoying), but I’ve tried my best to pick artists who have done superb renditions of said songs. So, without further to do, here is my Christmas top 8.
8. Coldplay-Christmas Lights
I realize that this is not a classic Christmas carol, and that by picking this song, I have broken my own rules. But they are my rules so I am allowed to break them. This song is great. The fact that Coldplay wrote a Christmas song at all is great, and every time I see Christmas lights this one plays in my mind. Classic Coldplay. Classic Christmas vibe. And a pretty sweet music video to go along with it.
7. Trans Siberian Orchestra-Carol of the Bells
If there is a song that can capture the mood of Christmas, it has to be Carol of the Bells. The slow build leading up to the crescendo mimics our own excitement as December 25th gets closer and closer. Plus, the Trans Siberian Orchestra knows how to pack a punch. And the song sounds even cooler when timed to Christmas lights on a house.
Video 1-Trans Siberian Orchestra version of Carol of the Bells
Video 2-Sweet Video of Carol of the Bells timed to lights, but not TSO :/ (still cool though)
6. Straight No Chaser-12 Days of Christmas
While this song is a classic, it makes me ask questions like, “when do these 12 days start?” and “who is giving this person all these gifts and how do I become friends with them?” This song being the fun lighthearted jingle that it is, I had never really thought much of it. Mostly because it’s to hard for me to remember how many maids are a-milking and swans are a-swimming. But then, I heard what this male a capella group did with it. Gold.
5. Nat King Cole-The Christmas Song
My favorite Christmas song of all time, sung by king of classic. I can smell the chestnuts already.
4. O Come O Come Emmanuel-Sufjan Stevens
This is one of my favorite classic Christmas hymns. It’s such a powerful song about the coming of Christ and how He is the only reason that we even get to celebrate this time of year. He has come to ransom His people that were captive, and that is something that we get to rejoice in.It’s beautifully written, and has been sung for hundreds of years. I love the language the composer uses. And paired with Sufjian’s unique style…it’s like Christmas before its even Christmas. So listen to the soothing sounds of Sufjan and rejoice because Emmanuel has come. (Also Sixpence None the Richer and Enya both do a cover of this one as well and they are wonderful, so you should go listen to them as well).
3. Michael Buble-All I want for Christmas is you.
Step aside Mariah Carey. Fresh off a new Christmas album, everyone is talking about Michael this season. With a voice made of pure gold wrapped in velvet, why wouldn’t he be in the top 3? This one goes out to Katie.
2. A Charlie Brown Christmas
I love Peanuts. I couldn’t pick just one, so I’ll pick the whole soundtrack of this movie. Everything about it is Christmasy. IT takes me back to being 9-years-old sitting by the fire, drinking coco and watching good ol’ Charlie Brown try to find the meaning of Christmas. Vince Guaraldi Trio nailed the sound of Christmas with this soundtrack. Thanks Vince.
1. Barenaked Ladies-God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
And finally number 1 goes to the Barenaked Ladies. This Christmas Album as a whole is one of my favorites. Songs like Deck the Stills and Elf’s Lament are classic BNL sillyness while this song, and their rendition of Carol of the Bells give the album a real unique sound. This song is just a mix of two great artists and has a sound that I adore. Enjoy. And Merry Christmas.

















