Christmas songs are always enjoyable at the start of the holiday season, but as the season goes on, they tend to become tedious. Radio stations(especially Magic 98.9) have the remarkable ability to play “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” no matter how short your car ride is. That’s the sort of Christmas magic that doesn’t take place in Hallmark’s cheesy Christmas movies. Anyway, the holidays means more free time, which for me includes discovering a world of holiday songs that aren’t played to death. Some of the songs below are songs I’ve listened for a few holiday seasons; some are brand spanking new gifts for my ears.

1. “I Wish It Was Christmas Today” by Julian Casablancas

2. “I Won’t Be Home For Christmas” by Blink-18

3. “Purple Snowflakes” by Marvin Gaye

4. “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues

5. “Yule Shoot Your Eye Out” by Fall Out Boy

6. “Boots” by The Killers

7. “Got Something For You” by Best Coast and Wavves

8. “Love Comes With Christmas” by The Temptations

9. “Horchata” by Vampire Weekend

10. “Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham

11. “Winter Winds” by Mumford & Sons

12. “Jupiter Winter” by Sufjan Stevens