My two favorite things about Christmas, in this order, are FOOD and MUSIC.
There are 3 records that are my absolute favorites to listen to at Christmas time. I don’t listen to our own Christmas records, mainly because they remind me of work, and when I listen to music I just want to chill out. Here are the absolute MOST AWESOMEST of ALL TIME Christmas records. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.
1. My MOST FAVORITE (as in, if I had to go to a desert island with only three things I would take this record) is Mindy Smith’s “My Holiday”. Our soundman Mark always played it before our Christmas concerts like four years ago, and we fell IN LOVE with it. He bought us each a copy for Christmas, and I have WORN IT OUT. I want to make a record just like it…someday I will do that. Just for myself. Except I can’t sing like her. But I really want to…
Buy this record now. It is melancholy and warm and fuzzy and arty all at the same time. What could be better?
2. I’m a SUCKER for this record. Carpenters. Best one. Nuff said. A must in any Christmas music lovers library.
3. I worship Vince Gill’s voice. LO-OVE. It doesn’t hurt that he is the nicest person in the world. Or at least in Nashville. Anyway, this is an older Christmas record of his, and I got it a super long time ago when I first moved to Nashville. I distinctly remember listening to it in my condo on my little jam box and it always put me right in the Christmas spirit. And that’s what a Christmas record is supposed to do. He does a little duet with his daughter Jenny, who is all grown up now, but it is really sweet. You will love this record.
I love his green shirt with a red shirt over it. Classic.
I hope you enjoy me editing down the massive amount of Christmas music available to the 3 finest….
What are your favorites????
25 days of Christmas! 
I love any Christmas music as well, but the cds I listen to the most during this time are, in no particular order:
1. All 4 POG Christmas albums (I play these all the time)
2. Avalon
3. The Talley Trio (Southern Gospel group)
4. Amy Grant
5. Hope is Born Again (on Jim Brickman’s cd)
6. Natalie Grant
7. Country music artists Christmas cds
8. Scott Krippayne
9. Michael W. Smith
My three favorites are Angels on High (a robert shaw christmas), Christmas in Velvet vol 3&4, Julie Andrews: greatest Christmas Songs, and the best Christmas cd dver, A Christmas Story by Point of Grace!
For me in CCM:
1. Twila Paris, It’s the thought – the duet of O Holy Night with Matthew Ward is awesome
2. 4Him’s Season of Love
3. Wayne Watson’s Christmas CD
4. POGs
ooooo i heart Christmas Music!
1. My Holiday Mindy Smith – The BEST – I AHgree!
2. Snow Angels – Over The Rhine
3. A Christmas Gift for You – Phil Spector – Classic!
Wow! Your first one tip is really great!! I’ll certainly purchase this album! What a voice!!!
About what I listen at this time: all Point of Grace’s albums (of course!), Amy Grant (The Spirit of Christmas), Avalon (Joy), Celtic Woman (Christmas Celebration DVD – a great one too!!) followed by other random songs…
I have this “Christmas Playlist” that keeps playing all day long since November, every year! You are so right, the two best things of this time of the year are FOOD and SONGS! Thanks for sharing!!! Have a great night Shelley!
LOVE the Carpenters’ “Christmas Portrait!” So glad you put that one there!
Also love “Home For Christmas” (Amy Grant); “Let It Snow!” (Michael Bublé); “A Christmas Story” (POG) (and “Winter Wonderland” and “Home For The Holidays”); “Joy” (Avalon); “Believe” (33Miles)…the list goes on.
And, yes, it truly is all about the food and the music. In that order.
Merry Christmas.
I just love kids music too – and our kids LOVE
– ‘Arrest These Merry Gentlemen’ and ‘Camel Lot.’ Both these kids’ musicals by LittleBigStuff.com are great! 😉
Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas – seriously not on your list? my all-time (non POG) fav.