Happy December, everyone! Can you believe it’s finally here? Jeff and I have been counting down to this month for what feels like forever. And when I say counting down, I really mean it—Jeff has had a recurring reminder on our shared calendar since July that simply says, “Start getting excited for Christmas!!” Subtle, right? But honestly, I don’t mind because we really do love this season.
We’re the type who lean fully into Christmas and all the over-the-top, delightfully cheesy traditions that come with it. Twinkling lights on every surface? Yes, please. Hot cocoa topped with more marshmallows than liquid? Absolutely. And the music—the music is my favorite part. I know some people roll their eyes at Christmas songs playing too early in stores, but not me. I wait all year to press play on my favorite holiday playlists, and when December finally rolls around, I dive right in.
Why Music Sets the Mood
For me, Christmas doesn’t just look a certain way; it sounds a certain way too. There’s something about hearing those first few familiar notes of a holiday classic that can instantly transport you. A soulful croon, a bit of country twang, or even a synth-filled pop anthem from the ’80s—each one holds a little spark of nostalgia.
Jeff and I have a playlist we return to year after year, and just pressing play fills the house with memories. It’s like an audible scrapbook: last year’s tree decorating, long drives to visit family, late nights wrapping presents together. Music has that magical way of stitching all the little holiday moments together.
Our Holiday Playlist
Since music is one of the quickest ways we get into the spirit, I thought I’d share one of my favorite playlists with you. It’s an eclectic mix, because in my opinion, the best holiday soundtrack pulls from all kinds of genres. A little soul, a little country, a sprinkle of 80s pop—it keeps things interesting while still feeling festive.
Some songs have that timeless warmth you can never tire of, while others are playful and unexpected. Together, they make the perfect background for everything from decorating the tree to baking cookies to just lounging by the fire.
And while I adore the whole mix, I do have to confess: my all-time favorite Christmas song will forever be Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.” There’s just something about the smooth vocals and joyful energy that perfectly captures the season. No matter how many times I hear it, it never fails to make me smile.
Nostalgia and New Memories
One of the things I love most about Christmas music is how it layers memory upon memory. A song that once belonged to my childhood now also belongs to evenings with Jeff, and hopefully one day will be part of the soundscape of future family traditions.
Sometimes I’ll hear a track and remember sitting in the backseat of the car, bundled up in a puffy coat, watching neighborhoods glowing with lights as we drove past. Other times, a song pulls me right back to last year, when Jeff and I were laughing while trying to untangle a hopeless string of Christmas lights.
That’s the beauty of a good playlist—it becomes more than background noise. It’s the thread that connects Christmases past with Christmases present, and it sets the stage for Christmases yet to come.
What About You?
I’d love to know—what’s your favorite Christmas song? Do you lean toward the classics from the ’50s and ’60s? Are you all about the Motown greats? Or do you secretly (or not-so-secretly) love the bubblegum pop hits from the 2000s?
Music taste is so personal, but I think that’s what makes holiday playlists so fun. Everyone’s list looks a little different, but each one tells a story.
From Us to You
So, from our home to yours: Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a very happy New Year. May your December be filled with laughter, good food, warm lights, and, of course, the perfect soundtrack to go along with it.
If you want to hear the playlist Jeff and I will be playing on repeat this month, you can find it [here]. Maybe it’ll become part of your holiday traditions, too.
And as for us? Well, we’ll be over here dancing around the tree with the Supremes playing in the background—because truly, no one has ever looked cuter surrounding a Christmas tree.
Cheers to a season of music and memories.
