Christmas music is an important part of the season because it connects us to the joy of the holiday season. Certain Christmas songs bring out a sense of nostalgia. The 15 songs on this list always take me right back to the Christmases of my childhood. I grew up with most of these songs. And they make me think of the Christmas mornings gathered around the tree, tearing open the presents that “Santa” had left for us. There was such a sense of wonder and innocence in those times.
Now these songs make me want to sing out loud, and they make me feel like a kid again! They’re not ranked, because picking a favorite would be like picking a favorite cookie. Let’s go!
The 15 songs I selected
Frosty the Snowman (1950)
A snowman comes to life because of a magic hat, and the whole thing is just pure joy. Frosty runs around town, kids chase after him, and he promises to come back someday. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when this one is playing. Of course, it’s even more nostalgic for me because I grew up watching the 1969 animated movie. That became an annual tradition for my family!
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (1934)
This is the song that reminded every kid that Santa was keeping tabs. Suddenly you were the most well-behaved child on Earth for about three weeks. It’s cheerful and a tiny bit scary, which is the perfect mix. This one also had its own movie. In 1970, Rankin/Bass created a stop-motion film that showed the story of how Santa Claus got his start. This movie was another annual tradition for my family.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1949)
Poor Rudolph gets left out of all the reindeer games, and then his glowing nose saves Christmas. Every kid who ever felt a little different cheered for him. The old 1964 stop-motion TV special by Videocraft International Ltd. (later known as Rankin/Bass) makes it even better. This was also part of my family’s annual movie watching.
Jingle Bells (1857)
This one is over 160 years old (and the oldest song on my list), and you still know every word. Here’s a fun fact: it was one of the first songs ever played in outer space, back in 1965. Even astronauts couldn’t resist it. It is probably one of the most well-known Christmas songs.
The Chipmunk Song (1958)
Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, with their squeaky little voices, try to get Christmas to hurry up. And poor Alvin is always the one in trouble. If you ever sang along in a chipmunk voice, you know exactly what I mean.
All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth (1944)
Anyone who lost a tooth in December knows this song hits different. It’s sung with a whistly little lisp, and it’s the cutest way to turn a gap in your smile into a holiday wish list.
Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer (1979)
Okay, it sounds terrible when you say it out loud. But it’s so over-the-top goofy that everyone ends up laughing. It’s the song your cousins probably sang at the top of their lungs every single year. The video created for the song was played on MTV each holiday season for around 18 years, which helped to make it a holiday classic.
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (1953)
A little girl asks for the most unreasonable gift ever, and honestly, I respect it. The singer, Gayla Peevey, was only ten years old when she recorded it. Even better, the Oklahoma City Zoo (where Gayla was from) did a fundraiser with a local newspaper and ended up giving her a baby hippo to celebrate. She donated the hippopotamus to the zoo.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (1952)
A kid sneaks downstairs and catches a big secret. Plot twist: it was just Daddy in the suit. It’s sweet, a little funny, and the singer, Jimmy Boyd, was only about thirteen when he recorded it. The original version is not the most famous, however. The Jackson 5 version from 1970 has become the most famous version of the song. It featured a young Michael Jackson as the lead singer on the tune.
Up On the Housetop (1864)
This is one of the oldest Santa songs out there. It’s got a bouncy little beat and Santa’s reindeer tapping around on the roof. You probably lay in bed listening for that exact sound when you were a child.
Here Comes Santa Claus (1947)
Gene Autry wrote this one after riding in a big Christmas parade in Hollywood and hearing kids shout that Santa was coming. It’s all about that wide-eyed, face-pressed-against-the-window excitement.
You’re a Mean One, Mister Grinch (1966)
The best villain song of the season, and a little bit sneaky. It was sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, but he never got credit on the original TV special. Lots of kids thought the narrator was singing, but it was somebody else the whole time! If Thurl Ravenscroft voice seems familiar, you may have heard it before. He was also the voice of Tony the Tiger in Frosted Flakes commercials. And if you are a fan of Disney World or Disneyland, you may have heard his voice in the Haunted Mansion, The Pirates of the Caribbean, or the Enchanted Tiki Room, just to name a few.
Hot Chocolate (The Polar Express) (2004)
Dancing waiters, flying cups, and cocoa poured from way up high. This scene made a whole generation of kids want a train ticket to the North Pole. Now you probably can’t sip cocoa without humming it.
Nuttin’ for Christmas (1955)
A kid brags about every naughty thing he did, then wonders why there’s no present for him. It was recorded by a very young singer, which makes the whole thing even funnier. Sometimes the lesson is in the title.
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas (1860s)
This one kinda feels like a quiet whisper to Santa. A kid leans in close and tells him exactly what they want. It’s gentle and sweet, and it’s usually the first Christmas song kids learn to play on the piano.
The funny thing about these songs is that most of them are older than your parents, and even older than your grandparents. But they still work. Every year, a new batch of kids falls in love with them, and every year, the grown-ups fall right back in love with them. So go ahead. Sing too loud. Do the chipmunk voice. Nobody’s grading you.
What are your favorite songs from this list? Let me know!