COLUMN: Seasonal songs for every part of the holiday season

The minute all of the Thanksgiving leftovers have been devoured, it’s time to break out the lights, sparkle, and, of course, the holiday music.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah Chrismahanukwanzakah or something else entirely, it’s hard to enter December without changing up your playlists a little bit.

I’m definitely not one of those people who sets my ringtone to “Jingle Bells” and refuses to listen to anything that isn’t seasonally appropriate — but when I do feel like getting into the holiday spirit, these are some of the songs I always go to.

The Classics

You can’t have a holiday playlist without some of the oldies but goodies – think classic crooners like the Rat Pack, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Elvis.

“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” — Dean Martin

“Sleigh Ride” — Ella Fitzgerald

“Winter Wonderland” — Frank Sinatra

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” — Judy Garland

“Blue Christmas” — Elvis

“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” — Brenda Lee

“Santa Baby” — Eartha Kitt

“The Christmas Song” — Nat King Cole

Old Turned New

The best part of holiday music is that, more than likely, your favorite artist has put out a Christmas album or at least did their own take on a classic song. Here are some of the best modern covers (and a few originals):

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” — She & Him

“Jingle Bells” — James Taylor

“Joy To The World” — Sufjan Stevens

“I Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” — Carole King

“Christmas Time Is Here” — Au Revoir Simone

“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” — The Jackson 5

“Please Come Home For Christmas” — Jon Bon Jovi

Fresh Cuts

Some artists decide to buck the norm and put out holiday albums with completely original material. Sometimes it works … and sometimes it doesn’t.

“Christmas Lights” — Coldplay

“A Great Big Sled” — The Killers

“Christmas Isn’t Safe For Animals” — Of Montreal

“Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis” — Tom Waits

“It Often Doesn’t Snow At Christmas” — Pet Shop Boys

“Oh You (Christmas Blues)” — LCD Soundsystem

“Christmas At The Zoo” — The Flaming Lips

“Winter Wonderland” — Animal Collective

“Christmas Song” — Mogwai

Modern Classics

A lot of Christmas songs that are now considered classics were original tracks or were made popular by pop artists of the day.

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” — Mariah Carey

“Little Saint Nick” — The Beach Boys

“Last Christmas” — Wham!

“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” — John Lennon and Yoko Ono

“Carol Of The Bells” — Mannheim Steamroller

“Merry Christmas Darling” — The Carpenters

“Feliz Navidad” — Jose Feliciano

Soundtracks

Some of the best Christmas movies and shows come complete with the best Christmas soundtracks. Here are just a few:

“A Holly Jolly Christmas” — Burl Ives

“O Tannenbaum” — Vince Guaraldi Trio

“Christmastime Is Here” — “Vince Guaraldi Trio

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” — Thurl Ravenscroft

“Dance of the Suger-Plum Fairy” — Tchaikovsky

“The Chanukah Song Part 3” — Adam Sandler feat. Rob Schneider

“O Holy Night” — Eric Cartman

New Year's

Of course as soon as Christmas is over, it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s Eve and the awesome party you’re going to throw or attend. Here are some relevant songs to add to your celebration playlist:

“In The New Year” — The Walkmen

“The New Year” — Death Cab For Cutie

“New Year” — Beach House

“New Year’s Eve” — First Aid Kit

“New Year’s Day” — U2

“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” — Ella Fitzgerald

Emily Hopkins is an advertising junior.

Emily Hopkins

Emily is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Staff Writer, Copy Editor, Life & Arts Reporter and Copy Editor .