EDITOR’S NOTE: We previously wrote this in 2021, but with the holiday season back, we felt it was the perfect time to update it.

There’s nothing that brings the world together more than sharing opinions about Christmas music.

And why not? Christmas is a very special time of year for many people – including me! – and music is one of life’s most fundamental joys. So it only makes sense that people hold Christmas music in such high regard, as it often shapes a large part of our adult lives and stays with us throughout adulthood.

Previously I discussed the worst Christmas songs ever written. So why not sing the best ones? The catchy tunes, the nostalgia bringers, the tearjerkers, this list has them all and more! So sit back and relax as I list the ten best Christmas songs of all time.

10. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses

“Christmas wrapping” always puts a smile on my face. It’s a Hallmark movie in a four and a half minute song, but at the same time it’s a complete jam piece with the catchy guitar riff and the brass in the instrumental bridge.

9. What Christmas means to me – Stevie Wonder

I don’t think there’s anyone who loves the holiday season more than Stevie Wonder. Seriously, this song is a love letter to Christmas in the best possible way. Oh, and there’s a harmonica solo! You can’t go wrong with one of these.

8. All I want for Christmas is you – Kelly Clarkson

No, not the one you’re thinking of. We will do it, believe me. Kelly Clarkson absolutely kills This cover of Vince Vance & The Valiants’ 1989 hit, a few years before Mariah Carey came onto the scene. From Clarkson’s powerful vocals to those divine horns, this is an underrated gem that more people need to appreciate.

7. It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Andy Williams

A typical Christmas song. Maybe it’s an exaggeration, but for me the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year, so it really hits home. Plus, this is usually one of the first songs radio stations play when they switch to Christmas music in late November (or earlier if you’re lucky!).

6. White Christmas – Bing Crosby

Probably the most iconic Christmas song of all. Full of nostalgia and memories of Christmases past, “White Christmas” just feels…right. Like putting on a warm sweater on a cold winter day.

5. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 24.12. – Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The best Christmas song to get your eardrums ringing. “Carol of the Bells” is the most epic – and maybe a little scary? – Christmas carol, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra absolutely destroys the interpretation of this melody. These guitars!!! The piano!!!! Simply perfection.

4. All I want for Christmas is you – Mariah Carey

Yes, it may be easy to like this song. But who cares? “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is Christmas joy personified and the most famous Christmas song of the modern generation. If you hate this song, I want nothing to do with you.

3. The Christmas Carol (Merry Christmas To You) – Nat King Cole

Let the gentle and warm tones of Nat King Cole lull you to sleep with this instant Christmas nostalgia hit. I love the way the piano, strings and guitar flow seamlessly together, creating a jazzy melody that feels so comfortable to listen to.

2. Last Christmas – Wham!

I still believe that “Last Christmas” is one of the best Christmas songs you can hear all year. The core of the song is a failed romance that fell apart at Christmas, and sure it may not be the happiest song, but the earnest longing in this song hits all the right notes for me. One of the best power ballads of all time.

1. Christmas time is here – Vince Guaraldi Trio

“Christmas time is here” is The Christmas nostalgia song. The vocal version can be heard in A Charlie Brown Christmas is fantastic, but I want to highlight the instrumental version because it’s so beautiful. The way Vince Guaraldi wanders up and down on the piano and makes the instrument sound so wistful is truly an achievement in itself. The percussion line keeps the song up-tempo while the bass has its own rumbling but meaningful solo.

If the feelings evoked around the holidays could be bottled and sold, “Christmas Time Is Here” would be the song of choice.

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The 10 worst Christmas songs of all time

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Best Christmas Music: The 10 Best Songs of All Time, Ranked