christmas tunes.

here are the top ten things i love about christmas ((although i didn't spend much time putting them in the actual order. and i might be missing something. i don't care, though)). and some songs.

10. the christmas day schedule that has been happening for as long as i can remember.
9. presents. obviously.
8. i'm allowed to drink hot chocolate all the time. even though the weather is far from frightful.
7. i'm allowed to watch elf again.
6. it is acceptable to stay home and watch movies in your pj's instead of venturing outside the house to do something else.
5. restaurants/establishments start serving their holiday things again. like...egg nog. or peppermint mochas. or raspberry limeades ((although i haven't actually seen one yet this season. if they don't serve them year, i'm going to be very angry)). or...whatever it is that you like.
4. christmas lights.
3. i'm allowed to put my snow globe up in my front yard without people judging me. like they did in july. bastards.
2. christmas cookies! both the decorating AND the eating.
1. christmas music. booyah.

enjoy these. some are classics. some are newer. some are about jesus. some are about santa. some are sad. some are happy. some are about the weather. or a plea to stay and have another drink. all are christmas. happy december, guys.

i tried to make the playlist shorter...but i wasn't willing to part with any of the songs. you're welcome.

[download entire playlist]

1. Bright Eyes-God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
[myspace]

it's always nice to hear bright eyes singing a little christmas tune.

2. Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel-Baby, It's Cold Outside
[buy album]

from the elf soundtrack. probably the best version of this song that exists. i have to wonder, though...how old is this girl? i mean, for a man with a voice like leon redbone's to be asking her to stay and have another drink...yet her mother will be waiting up for her when she returns? hm...

3. The Weepies-All That I Want
[buy album] [myspace]

great band. great song. great band. you should buy all of their cds. this song is featured on an old navy commercial, too. so...if you're wondering why it sounds familiar, that's why. also, you watch too much tv.

4. Relient K-I Celebrate The Day
[buy album] [myspace]

one of my favorite christmas songs. i love that this song points out the humanity of Jesus--something that's hard to remember. 'the first time that you opened your eyes--did you realize that you would be my savior? and the first breath that left your lips--did you know that it would change this world forever?' so. good.

5. Over The Rhine-We're Gonna Pull Through
[buy album] [myspace]

this is on the newest over the rhine cd, snow angels. it's a christmas cd. and it's amazing. according to itunes, "snow angels, set in the coming winter, deals with seasonal themes of death and rebirth, with the time of the lowest of depressions and the greatest of joys, and results in a profound meditation on the season, on winter, and on what it allows to happen both inside the individual and for the land". i agree. winter is the time of the lowest depressions and the greatest of joys. well done, itunes. well done.

6. Sufjan Stevens-Get Behind Me, Santa!
[buy album] [myspace]

the whole sufjan christmas set is really good. you should get it. i listen to it year round.

7. Sarah McLachlan-Silent Night
[buy album] [myspace]

i think sarah mclachlan's wintersong is one of the best christmas cds ever recorded. it's just...really good. just thought you might enjoy a classic.

8. Relient K-12 Days of Christmas
[buy album] [myspace]

funny song. fun to sing. fun to listen to. just...fun.

9. Olivia Olson-All I Want for Christmas Is You
[buy album]

from the love actually soundtrack. i'm not sure if i really like this song, or it's just an overflow of my love for love actually. you should buy the soundtrack. it's good. and you should buy the movie. it's better.

10. Martina McBride-O Holy Night
[buy album] [myspace]

my absolute favorite christmas song. hands down. 'long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth'. just typing those words gave me goosebumps. there are a lot of christmas songs that we sing. jingle bells, the christmas song, blah blah blah. and a lot of these we've been singing since we were like...six. and, over time, we learn to hate them ((especially 'santa, baby')) or, at the very least we sing the words without actually knowing what they say. i earnestly hope that these words are never the ones that you sing without listening to them.

11. Ella Fitzgerald-Sleigh Ride[buy album] [website]

another song from the elf soundtrack. good stuff.

12. Relient K-I Hate Christmas Parties
[buy album] [myspace]

kind of a sad song. but still very good. i think my favorite line is, 'i hate christmas parties. you offer me some punch but i just shrug.' honestly...who hasn't felt like that at a christmas party? or any party, for that matter...

13. Sarah McLachlan-River
[buy album] [myspace]

really, really good. makes me want to skate away.

14. Over The Rhine-Here It Is
[buy album] [myspace]

another song from snow angels. i really like the lyric, 'the trouble with talking is it makes you sound clever'. and i also really like, 'the heartbreak and laughter, the joy and the tears, the scary beauty of what's right here'. mmm...scary beauty. i like that.

15. Sufjan Stevens-Sister Winter
[buy album] [myspace]

an original sufjan song. good. really good.

16. Søren Sko-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
[buy album] [myspace]

a good classic. us wishing you a merry little christmas.