Christmas is finally here and yes, it’s perfectly OK to pull out those Christmas CDs and rock out to Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Bing Crosby until your heart’s content.
Performers are cashing in on the Christmas music craze, so it’s no surprise that over 100 albums have been newly released since as early as September, according to Amazon. But with so many options, which ones should you listen to?
Here are the coolest Christmas albums to get and gift this year.
1. Kelly Clarkson’s Wrapped in Red
The former American Idol has released her sixth album this October, her first Christmas album. Featuring classics like “Run, Run Rudolph,” the singer also includes new songs written by Clarkson herself, including “Wrapped in Red” and “Winter Dreams.” If you’re looking for Christmas pop, pick up Kelly Clarkson’s Wrapped in Red.
The Now series of CDs features the top songs usually of a given year. This two-disc compilation is a perfect mix of classic holiday songs sung by older and more modern singers alike. Bing Crosby starts the album with his famous “White Christmas,” The Beach Boys sing “Little Saint Nick” and Justin Bieber sings “Mistletoe.”
3. Il Volo’s Buon Natale: The Christmas Album
This trio of young male pop opera singers from Italy have become famous in the past three years for their beautiful voices, and they now lend those voices to their new Christmas album. If you’re looking for a modern rendering of Christmas songs that still have that classic sound, this is the Christmas album for you.
4. Straight No Chaser’s Under the Influence: Holiday Edition
A cappella groups have gained popularity recently, but Straight No Chaser has been around for almost two decades now. In this album, the group connects with famous crooners like Colbie Caillat, CeeLo Green and Paul McCartney for an upbeat feel.
5. WOW Christmas (Blue) Deluxe Edition
Different from the Now Christmas discs, WOW Christmas is less modern music and more Christian-focused. Another two-disc compilation, this album has all your favorite Christian singers like Kari Jobe, Nichole Norderman and Amy Grant playing the church songs you love to sing along to every year.
6. Gretchen Wilson’s Christmas in My Heart
This wouldn’t be a good list if it didn’t include a cool country singer, so here is one of the better country music albums that has been released this season. Like Clarkson, Wilson combines original and traditional songs. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” is one of the highlights on the disc.
7. Leona Lewis’s Christmas, With Love
Three original songs are featured on this soulful artist’s first Christmas album: “One More Sleep,” “Your Hallelujah” and “Mr. Right.”
8. Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas Symphony II
Making Christmas music for three decades, Mannheim Steamroller is one of the most requested holiday artists, performing modern renditions of traditional songs. In this disc, Mannheim Steamroller joins forces with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra to create beautiful holiday harmonies.
9. Libera’s Angels Sing – Christmas in Ireland
If pure angelic harmony is what you’re searching for in a Christmas album, then look no further. Libera, an all-boy English choir mainly from an Anglican church in London, is also called “angel voices,” and for good reason. The choir here can send shivers down your spine as you listen to their renderings of “Joy to the World,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Silent Night” and more Christmas classics. If you want to see them in action, pick up the accompanying DVD.
10. Duck the Halls: A Robertston Family Christmas
While the Duck Dynasty reality show may not be for everyone, their Christmas CD could be a great gift for someone who’s looking for way more than a regular old holiday album. The Robertson’s are a church-going family and love to sing. Their humor combines with their voices to create one untraditional album.
With such a great mix of music, you’re sure to find that one album that makes you smile this Christmas. Enjoy!