Xmas Sounds

I know it is WAY TOO early to be even talking about Christmas.  However, every store and advertiser doesn't seem to think so.  As soon as Halloween is over, the holiday commercialism train is turned up to 10 and we haven't even carved a turkey yet.  Oh well. I suppose complaining about it isn't going to help.  Let's either embrace it or ignore it and move on. Haha! 

I'm not going to be putting up my tree until the weekend before Thanksgiving (which my husband still thinks is too early). But I think this way I can really enjoy my tree longer.  And as soon as I return home with a belly full of Thanksgiving goodness I can gaze on my tree and think of the upcoming holiday season! So, I thought I would talk about my favorite tunes (which is one of my favorite parts of the season!) so everybody has plenty of time to track them down in order to be prepared.  Now these are albums that I love to listen from start to finish.  There are other songs that I love, but they either do not come from an entire Christmas album or I don't like the rest of the songs, hehe.  So here are just some of my holiday album staples...

Amy Grant - Home for Christmas

I grew up listening to Amy Grant in the 90s.  This album was constantly playing (mixed with my mother's Mainheim Steamroller, Celtic Christmas Tunes, etc.) throughout the house and especially Christmas Day.  This CD actually holds a place in my husband's holiday heart, his family listened to this as well.  So it floods our minds with memories and comforts us when opening gifts in front of the tree.  

Maybe This Christmas Tree - Various Artists

This album consists of Death Cab for Cutie, The Ravonettes, Jars of Clay and more.  It was released when I was in college and I loved it.  It sounded so different than the music playing throughout the house.  It was modern and fun.  I enjoy it a lot at holiday parties.

NSYNC - Home for Christmas

This CD I have been listening to since I was 15!  This was one of the first holiday albums I ever bought.  So there is a mix of nostalgia and childhood that comes back when I listen to it.  It is a great pop album and if you have a sweet tooth you might get a toothache due to the sweetness! 

Jack Johnson & The Brushfire Family - This Warm December

This compiles some of my favorite artists all on one album.  And 25% of the album's proceeds went to charity, talk about Christmas Spirit!  It has Jack Johnson, Mason Jennings and Matt Costa just to name a few.  It is a great album all the way through and is a nice modern twist to some old classics.

Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas

You can't talk about Christmas music and not mention the great diva Mariah!  This is a great album and I can listen to "All I Want For Christmas Is You" over and over and over!

A Winter's Night - Various Artists

Another great compilation album with Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies and Sixpence None the Richer (just to name a few). 

She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas

I have talked about some oldies and some newbies for holiday tunes.  This album is very new! Just released at the end of October.  My favorite group She & Him (which consists of M.Ward and Zooey Deschanel) have come out with a Christmas Album!  My husband bought it for me on iTunes this morning and I am so excited!

And farther along into the season I'm going to talk about my favorite songs/versions! yay holiday music! Start downloading people and get your playlists ready! Have a great weekend!