Well, it’s time to unveil my annual Christmas mix CD list. Over the past few years, I’ve become something of a Christmas music junkie. I’ll refine my list a little each year, but this is the quintessential Christmas music album, boys and girls. I’m thinking of posting this mix to the iTunes store, so check it out if you’re interested. Now, on to the good stuff:
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Track 1 – Blue Christmas, Elvis Presley. Gotta get things started with this classic, my all-time favorite holiday song. Rumor has it I once recorded a music video to this song. I can neither confirm nor deny this.

Track 2 – All I Want For Christmas Is You, Mariah Carey. This one’s for Sunny. I always know it’s Christmas around our house when she cranks this one up all the way and starts singing and dancing! It makes me happy seeing her so happy.

Track 3 – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), U2. Bono and the boys are the perfect follow-up to Mariah. My favorite Christmas rocker.

Track 4 – White Christmas, Bing Crosby. Bing brings it down a notch with this beautiful vocal. No holiday album is complete without this classic.

Track 5 – Feliz Navidad, Jose Feliciano. Time for a novelty song! By the time Christmas arrives, you never want to hear this thing again, but it’s pure fun the first 200 times!

Track 6 – Sleigh Ride, Harry Connick, Jr.. Harry Connick’s original Christmas album was one of the few CDs I’d listen to during my anti-Christmas music period. It’s just too hard not to tap your toes to this one.

Track 7 – Christmas Time Is Here, Vince Guaraldi Trio. Actually, I probably like this one even more than Blue Christmas. Takes me back to being 8 years old sitting cross-legged in front of the TV watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special in footed pajamas. Nice.

Track 8 – Jingle Bells, Frank Sinatra. A unique arrangement, a singular voice.

Track 9 – O Holy Night, Martina McBride. Time for a track by another diva. She may be little but she’s loud. The perfect song for her.

Track 10 – Joy to the World, Lost & Found. If you’ve never heard Lost & Found, you’re in for a treat. I doubt you’ll find this one on iTunes, but if you ever see their live show, you’ll be hooked. Check them out here.

Track 11 – The Chipmunk Song, The Chipmunks. Gotta throw one of these on here every once in a while for the kids. Oh who am I kidding? I love this one. Come on, you know you sing along…

Track 12 – A Holly Jolly Christmas, Burl Ives. But he’ll always be Sam the Snowman to me.

Track 13 – Welcome To Our World, Chris Rice. I enjoy silly holiday songs as much as the next guy, but I love songs that embrace what this season is all about: the glorious Good News of God with us! Rice’s lyrics will be rolling around my brain for the next six weeks, which is something to be thankful for.

Track 14 – What Child is This?, Third Day. My favorite on their new Christmas Offerings album. Mac’s voice was made for this song.

Track 15 – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Brenda Lee.
Track 16 – Jingle Bell Rock, Bobby Helms. These two should be on everyone’s Christmas mix.

Track 17 – Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt & Henri Rene. This oldie was resuscitated on a GAP commercial a few years ago. No matter, it’s a great vocal.

Track 18 – Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Gene Autry. I used to wear out my sister’s vinyl LP of this one. Brings back some memories.

Track 19 – Mele Kalikmaka, Bing Crosby. A guilty holiday pleasure.

Track 20 – You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, The MGM Orchestra. Did you know the guy who sings this was also the voice of Tony the Tiger? Did you also know that this song has been covered by, among others, the Crash Test Dummies, Dweezil Zappa and RuPaul? Thank you, Wikipedia!

Track 21 – The Little Drummer Boy, Harry Simeone Chorale. Another classic. Jars of Clay has a nice rendition, too.

Track 22 – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLaughlin. BNL’s signature sound on a holiday classic.

Track 23 – The Christmas Song, Mel Torme. Simply fine. Required listening.

Track 24 – Happy Xmas (War is Over), John Lennon & Yoko Ono. A prayer for peace.

Track 25 – Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Bruce Springsteen. The Boss takes us home in fine fashion, rounding out our Christmas mix.

Bonus track – Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, The Barenaked Ladies. This doesn’t qualify as a Christmas song per se, but it’s too funny to leave off the list. I’m sneaking it in as a bonus track.
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Well, there you have it, folks. Now I’m ready for some eggnog.