Everyone has a favorite Christmas carol. And I’m no different. My all-time favorite would probably have to be “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing”, though it’s at the top of a list of MANY. And beyond that, I have favorite versions of your basic Christmas classics. The same song that I can’t stand to be heard by one artist is one of my favorites when sung by another. So I thought I’d put together a list. As complete a list as I can manage what with the fact my brain has turned to Swiss cheese now that I’m pregnant again.

• “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” - Glenn Campbell Definitely my favorite version of this song. I think it convey’s the sense of the original song so well; wistful, a little sad, a little hopeful… Plus it’s kinda got that little shuffley/jazz thing going for it that I enjoy.
• “Let it Snow” - Lena Horne This is the way this song is supposed to be. Also jazzy (what is with me and jazzy songs this time of year?), but also gleeful and the sort of song you can’t help but tap your toes to. I always want to sing along to this song. This may be my #2 favorite.
• “Happy Holidays & Holiday Season” - Andy Williams Oh dear, this song is fantastic. You guessed it, it’s jazzy. And it’s got the cutest lyrics. And Any gives it his all and I just LOVE to hear this song and sing along.
• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” - Lou Rawls It’s hard to beat the Judy Garland version. Which, yes, it’s great. But it’s so gosh-darned SAD. This version is still got the wistful/sad thing going but the jazzy undertones (ya think?) make it a little less razor-blade-worthy. Plus, I just love the way he says “Have yourself a merry little christmas now.”
• “Home for the Holidays” - Perry Como I’m probably the first one to admit I’m surprised I like a Perry Como song. :lol But seriously! This song makes me smile. Especially the part that goes, “From Atlantic to Pacific/Gee, the traffic is terrific!” It’s so sarcastic! Who couldn’t love that??
• “Run, Run Rudolph” - Chuck Berry For those that like that retro-fifties sound, this is a classic. Plus, no better song to listen to on a car trip. Heck, even a trip to the mall. This is car music, people.
• “The Christmas Song” - Nat King Cole The best. I think this is pretty much undisputed. No one else should even sing this one.
• “The Twelve Days of Christmas” - John Denver and the Muppets Most of the time, this song is interminable. But the Muppets? Make it fun. Like the 9th day, with the scientist guy and his pal Beaker: “On the ninth day of Christmas: memememememe!” LOVE!
• “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” - Doris Day and Bing Crosby K and I love to sing this one as a duet. And this is the best version of the song, though I don’t think I’ve really come across a version I hate yet. Plus it makes me think of that totally awesome scene in “Elf” when she’s singing this in the shower and he can’t help but join in. Hee!
• “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” - Bruce Springsteen Is there another version of this song? Seriously? Growing up, I remember this was a sign that the Christmas season was officially underway: the local radio station started adding this one into the song rotation. Nobody does it like The Boss.
• “Winter Wonderland” - H Connick, Jr. No vocals, just jazz piano. I lurve it. There’s other version that are nice, but this one holds a special spot in my heart. Must be the jazz.
• “The Twelve Pains of Christmas” - Bob Rivers For a parody, this one is just fantastic. The poor guy rigging up the lights is my favorite. Plus? “She’s a witch, I hate her.” :lol It’s hard not to love (or identify with) this one.
• “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” - Jim Carrey Yeah, I know the live-action movie isn’t as good as the classic, but Jim does the song justice, I say. “Your heart’s an empty Hoooooooole.” Hee! Plus, my son loves this one.
• “Mele Kalikimaka” - Bing Crosby I didn’t used to like this one. But “Christmas Vacation” changed my mind. Plus, it’s kinda catchy. And no one sings it quite like Bing.
• “So This is Christmas” - Celine Dion *dodges the rotten tomatoes* I know, it’s Celine. Who normally sorta makes me gag. But she does this song pretty well. And of all the versions I’ve ever been able to find, the one I like the best. So just deal with it.
• “Deck the Stills” - Barenaked Ladies Who wouldn’t like a song that does “Deck the Halls” only using the words “Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young”? And in that order??
• “Let There Be Peace on Earth” - Vince Gill Not technically a Christmas song, but it works. And when he has his son chime in and sing a verse? TEAR.
• “Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer” - Dean Martin NEVER a better version of this one. Yes, it’s got a jazzy thing going on. Particularly love it when he starts calling Rudolph “Rudy” and has Santa talking with a Austrian accent.
• “Christmas Vacation” - Unknown This one’s off the “Christmas Vacation” soundtrack. Besides reminding me of the best Christmas movie EVAH, it’s also sorta catchy.
• “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” - Mariah Carey Great version. Sure beats the potatoes off the U2 version. Possibly the only time Mariah Carey beats the potatoes off ANYTHING U2 has done.
• “Breath of Heaven” - Amy Grant Very haunting song, giving you the perspective of a very pregnant Mary. You have to be steel to resist this one.
• “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” - BandAid I’ve heard other versions but none holds a candle to the original. And no other song can make you feel like a bigger prick for hogging all the presents and fudge too. “The only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears/And the Christmas bells that ring there, are the clanging chimes of doom/Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you!” Holy crud! :cry
• “All I Want For Christmas Is You” - Mariah Carey Wow, Mariah made it on here TWICE? Seriously, the Christmas song she is known best for. My son used to love this song with a fervor that would frighten K and I. And it brings back the memories of that December back in college when my roommate played this over and over and over on her computer while we were studying for finals. And I didn’t care! That’s the miracle.

There are some notable exclusions from this list: my favorite, “Hark” isn’t there. I simply haven’t found a version of it that I really love yet. Also, “Sleigh Ride” is missing. But truth be told, I haven’t found a version I don’t like yet. Like the one that was in that Gap commercial last year (or was it the year before?), or the one by The Ronettes… they’re all good!

But coming is a list of the songs I hate. And when I say hate, I mean HATE. Like, threaten to tear out the car stereo and throw it from the moving van if it comes on. I know, it’s remarkable anyone can feel that violent towards a Christmas song. But believe me, I can.