If you put Christmas gifts in the mail to friends or family, odds are you’re burning some midnight oil these days trying to finish things up so you can get them there in time. Or maybe you’ve got until December 24th but it’s a B I G project you’re working on – you’re still putting in a lot of time at the craft table.
There are always movies and podcasts and the radio to keep your mind occupied while your hands do their magic work, but the Christmas music on the radio definitely gets old after a while. And those stations that play holiday music around the clock? Their playlist wears thin after the first couple of hours.
So today I’m sharing with you seven Christmas albums (and some Hanukkah music too) you might not have heard before, or maybe heard a song or two from, or maybe you’ve forgotten that you loved. Some are old(ish), some are new(er), but all of them will liven up your last-minute crafting crunch!
You can find all of these on iTunes, and happy crafting!
Straight No Chaser – Christmas Cheers
This all-male a cappella group will have you hopping and bopping along trying to figure out how they pull these songs off. Their Christmas Can-Can and their very unique version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” will astound and delight you.
John Denver and the Muppets – A Christmas Together
I never get tired of their version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” because, come on, Miss Piggy steals the show. And the medley including “It’s in Every One of Us” is as sweet as can be.
Barenaked Ladies – Barenaked for the Holidays
This album has Christmas and Hanukkah music (well beyond Dreidl, Dreidl, Dreidl…), some original songs, and some traditional with a fun twist.
Peter, Paul and Mary – A Holiday Celebration with the New York Choral Society
You might not consider “Blowin’ in the Wind” a holiday song, but you will after you hear this version.
Various Artists - A Very Special Christmas 1, 2 and 3
This series of compilation albums started in 1987. With their instantly-recognizable cover art by Keith Haring, they let the unique talents of the artists really shine through. Eleven albums have been made over the past 25 years (and all proceeds benefit Special Olympics), but I still love the three original versions the most.