Feeling stressed out by all the holiday preparations you have yet to check off your list or the hellish commute you have to go through to get to and from work each day? We’ve listed sanity-saving tips for the holidays in the past, but one quick way to level up your mood from stressed to chill to cheerful is to play some music. Here are some songs that are guaranteed to get you in the Christmas mood. We promise you’ll be bopping your head and singing along in no time!
1. “Text Me Merry Christmas” by Straight No Chaser featuring Kristen Bell
Who hasn’t heard a cappella group Straight No Chaser’s contribution to our holiday playlist? The studio recording video went viral shortly after it was posted on YouTube, and for good reason too. The LOL-worthy lyrics are insanely appropriate for our mobile culture—plus, it features our latest favorite Disney princess, Frozen’s Anna (aka Kristen Bell).
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “Text me Merry Christmas / Send a selfie too / If you do, I’ll go / Near the mistletoe / And pretend my screen is you…”
2. “Winter Wonderland / Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Pentatonix featuring Tori Kelly
Of course, we can’t talk about a cappella without mentioning the hugely popular group Pentatonix. If you’re looking for current versions of traditional Christmas songs, check out their latest album, That’s Christmas to Me. Their mash-up of the ever-popular carol Winter Wonderland and the first a cappella song to take the number one slot on the Billboard Hot 100, Don’t Worry Be Happy, is pure ear candy, especially with Tori Kelly’s jazzy vocals taking center stage.
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “A beautiful sight / We’re happy tonight / Walking in a winter wonderland…”
3. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Fifth Harmony
Remember how that young girl belted out Mariah Carey’s hit song in Love Actually, one of the best holiday movies of all time? Well, now it’s Fifth Harmony’s turn to take on this daunting classic. Check out how their five different voices sound with the song’s trademark bells and drum rolls.
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “I just want you for my own / More than you could ever know / Make my wish come true / All I want for Christmas is you / You, baby…”
4. “Sleigh Ride” by Karmin
Duo Karmin revived this classic for Coach’s 2012 campaign, but it’s just as fun to listen to today with its jazzy notes, Karmin’s trademark rap bit, and a lot of awesome ringing and harmonizing.
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “Just hear those sleigh bells jinglie-ng / Ring-ting-tingle-ing too / Come on, it’s lovely weather / For a sleigh ride together with you…”
5. “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande
The popular petite songstress ends her great year in music with this wistful yet upbeat song that anyone who’s ever had to spend the holidays alone after a breakup can relate to.
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “Santa, tell me if you’re really there / Don’t make me fall in love again / If he won’t be here next year…”
6. Jingle Bell Rock by the Glee Cast
This song has been covered time and again, proving just what a classic it is. This version is by the cast of TV musical Glee. But if you need an extra dose of cheer, plan a movie night and revisit that hilarious talent show scene in Lindsay Lohan’s Mean Girls, where she and the girls dance to this tune.
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “What a bright time, it’s the right time / To rock the night away / Jingle bell time is a swell time / To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh…”
7. “Christmas Wrapping” by The Saturdays
This post-punk song originally by The Waitresses may not be widely known, but it’s one Christmas lyric that paints a very realistic scenario of people being too stressed to enjoy the holidays. It ends happily, though, with the singer bumping into a new reason to celebrate the season.
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “So deck those halls, trim those trees / Raise up cups of Christmas cheer / I just need to catch my breath / Christmas by myself this year…”
8. “8 Days of Christmas” by Destiny’s Child
Here’s a holiday jam that’ll make 90s kids feel nostalgic for the good ol’ days. We love Beyoncé as a solo artist, but there’s a special place in our heart for the music she made with powerhouse girl group Destiny’s Child.
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “The feelin’ that I feel is so good / He makes me feel so in lo-lo-lo-lo-love / If he only knew what he does to me / My man, my man, my baby…”
9. “Let It Snow” by Michael Bublé
We may not experience snow in the Philippines, but that doesn’t keep us from singing this carol. After all, it’s got simple lyrics, an easy-to-follow beat, and background music that’s distinctively Christmassy. And with Michael Bublé lending his scrumptious voice to the tune, how can you go wrong?
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “Oh, the weather outside is frightful / But the fire is so delightful / And since we’ve no place to go / Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…”
10. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams
You’ll never go wrong with a bonafide classic. This song reminds us that it’s not the presents or the food but the gatherings of friends and families that take place during the season that makes it “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
Sing-It-Out-Loud Lyrics: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year / There’ll be much mistletoeing / And hearts will be glowing / When loved ones are near / It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”
Have a Christmas song you love that isn’t on this list? We’re sure there are dozens, even hundreds! Or maybe there’s another version of one of the listed songs that you’d like to recommend. Share your picks with us in a comment!
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