‘Tis the season for hot cocoa, Christmas classics on Freeform and Cheesy Christmas films on Hallmark, endless cookies and the winter-wonderland of decorations we wait 11 out of the 12 months in a year to indulge in. “Holiday Season” is definitely the best (and only good) part of cold months with air that hurts your face. The best part of it all though? The Holly-Jolly tunes incorporated that get us into and keep us in that Holiday spirit! Here are fifteen Christmas songs that are integral for your Holiday-Feel playlists.

20. Christmas Hippo-Gayla Peevey

This fun, joke of a song simply lightens the mood for Christmas, really. Perhaps sarcastically, she’s saying she only wants a hippo to unwrap on Christmas morning- a mock of the occasionally unrealistic Christmas wishes “Santa” has to receive? Because who wants a hippo, of all animals?

19. Joy to the World-Johnny Cash

This is a popular Christmas Hymn, originally written by Isaac Watts. It’s based on Psalms 98, and 96 [11-12]; so as not to forget the origin and meaning of the holiday.

{Other recordings: Casting Crowns, Mannheim Steamroller, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Chris Tomlin}

18. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus-The Jackson 5

This promiscuous holiday song is literally that: a promiscuous song regarding the holidays with a fun twist. The Jackson 5 sing about seeing their mommy kissing Santa Claus, wondering if they should tell their dad. Little do they know, Santa Claus is dad-- as Santa is in most families. It’s really a song glorified in young innocence; those year you believed in Santa, if you’d seen mommy kissing him you’d have freaked out a little too.

{Other Recordings: Jessica Simpson, Jimmy Boyd, The Ronettes, John Mellencamp, The Four Seasons}

17. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas-Frank Sinatra

Introduced by Judy Garland originally, this kind-hearted Christmas song is soft, slow and full of joyous encouragement. With the line “from now on your troubles will be out of the sight,” the song gives hope for not only the generosity of the Christmas season, but for the end of the year and the start of a new year as well. Friendship, happiness and hope all in one makes for a Christmas carol, for sure.

{Other Recordings: Michael Buble, Christina Aguilera, Carpenters, Mary J Blige, Sam Smith, Coldplay, Whitney Houston}

16. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman-Pentatonix

This Christmas folk song, originally sung by James Nares is considered a traditional in the realm of Christmas songs. It highlights the joy of the holiday, and essentially reminds you to rest amidst the hectic fun of the holiday and bask in the joy and the grace brought down on this day.

{Other Recordings: Mariah Carey, Bing Crosby, Mannheim Steamroller, Choir of King’s College, Perry Como}

15. O Come All Ye Faithful-Chris Tomlin

This is another song celebrating and reminding us of the origin and meaning of the holiday. A hymn whose origin has been argued widely, is celebrates the coming of Christ Jesus, inviting all who worship His birth to come and honor Him, “joyfully and with triumph.”

{Other recordings: Hillsong Worship, Casting Crowns, Pentatonix, Bing Crosby, Dolly Parton}

14. Santa Baby-Madonna

Originally sung by Eartha Kitt, Santa Baby is an essential Christmas Classic; a song in which a “good girl,” (or in the version sung by Michael Buble, boy) gives Santa their Christmas list- a list of expensive, lavish gifts, from a convertible to a diamond ring, as a result of being on the year’s Nice List.

{Other recordings: Michael Buble, Ariana Grande, Meghan Nicole, Taylor Swift, Pussycat Dolls, Kylie Minogue, and the Cast of Glee}

13. Sleigh Ride-Leroy Anderson

This fun bell-filled tune is a popular not only on the radio and playlists, but in school bands’ medleys for the holidays as well. It’s simply another exciting song with a catchy tune to bring you joy and keep your spirits high and Christmas-y throughout the Holiday season, reminding you of “Santa’s” arrival.

{Other recordings: Pentatonix, Ronettes, Carpenters, US Marine Band, Relient K}

12. It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas-Michael Buble

In this tune, sung originally by Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters, we celebrate the look of Christmas time all around. The snow, the happy faces, the giving and getting and the love that’s widespread during the season are all things that make Christmas time so memorable and noticeable- enough to sing about!

{Other recordings: Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr., Connie Talbot, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby}

11. Jingle Bell Rock-Blake Shelton

This Christmas song is one in which fun is dignified and prompted: to sing, dance and simply rock around the holiday! Originally by Bobby Helms, it sends exciting tunes and encouragement to listeners.

{Other Recordings: Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Aaron Tippin}

10. Do You Hear What I Hear?-Carrie Underwood

Another song celebrating the true meaning behind Christmas, this song glorifies the night sky and the arrival of Jesus Himself into the world. The animals and people on the range are essentially murmuring amongst each other as they “see” and “hear” as the Lamb in the Sky twinkles through the stars onto them.

{Other Recordings: Martina McBride, Whitney Houston, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Celine Dion, Mannheim Steamroller, Johnny Mathis, Destiny’s Child}

9. Deck The Halls-Mannheim Steamroller

Always recognizable and often stuck in our heads this Christmas yuletide (yes, that is the actual term for it), originally written by Thomas Oliphant encourages Christmas-celebrators to decorate in anticipation of the holiday. Put up your boughs of holly, your christmas lights and your blow-up penguins and Frosty the Snowmans in your yard! For Christmas is an exciting, joyous time and deserves to be recognized with decorations.

8. Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer-Elmo and Patsy

This interestingly fun song with it’s sad story is another Christmas classic. Sung throughout families it’s a literal joke of a song, suggesting Grandma would’ve gotten run over and died on Christmas Eve- not what you would expect in a Christmas song, but popular all the same. Perhaps for it’s easy-to-remember story line accompanied by the tune, it’s definitely a hit amongst not only children, but a majority of holiday fans.

{Other Recordings: The Irish Rovers, Elmo Shropshire}

7. Little Drummer Boy-Pentatonix

This is not only a Christmas classic but also a Christmas hymn; often featured in Christmas Eve mass’ and plays. Originally by Katherine K Davis, the song provides a catchy tune with meaningful backstory; as the drummer boy came to offer all he could, his music. Featured in The Office as Angela’s choice karaoke song (S.3, E.11), it’s one of the many widespread Christmas tunes, although not as appreciated as others (but one of MY favorites)

{Other recordings: Josh Groben, Justin Bieber, Raphael}

6. Mary Did You Know-Pentatonix

Another popular Christmas song that could be a hymn, this song tells the story of Mary and her Miracle baby (Jesus). Originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, Mary is being asked/told of the Miraculous, important life her Baby Boy will be born to carry out.

{Other recordings: Mark Lowry, Mary J Blige, Clay Aiken, Kenny Rogers, Cee Lo Green, Jordan Smith}

5. Last Christmas-Taylor Swift

This very popular, heartbreak-Christmas tune is one favored by what is a majority of girls. Sung by Taylor Swift, the heart break-revenge song has even more meaning (considering her reputation for the type). Originally sung by Wham!, the vengeful Christmas song keeps us girls on our toes when it comes to not giving in to our exes who aren’t worth mere pennies, seeing as we will not be giving them the gift of our heart this year, and instead “saving it for someone special.”

{Other recordings: Wham!, George Michael, Ariana Grande, Cascada, Crazy Frog, Ashley Tisdale}

4. Twelve Days of Christmas-Bing Crosby

This fun gift-giving carol is one not many actually sing along to, simply due to the variety of words and gifts given throughout the song. Originally by Frederic Austin (The english version), the song describes the different gifts- each with a sentimental meaning- from one lover to another. With the unforgettable “Five, go-old rings!” line as the 5th day of the holiday being belted by any and all participants, this song is fun to sing most specifically in groups.

{Other recordings: Frank Sinatra, Roger Whittaker, Straight No Chaser}

3. Carol of the Bells-Pentatonix

This Christmas tune is mostly that- a tune. It’s fun and primarily instrumental with but a few words throughout. Originally by The Robert Shaw Chorale, this exciting tune gets you fired up and ready for the Christmas season. Preeminent when it comes to my Christmas playlist, I hear this song more than any other combined during the Holiday season.

{Other Recordings: Lindsey Stirling, Libera, Mannheim Steamroller, Destiny’s Child, Josh WIlson}

2. Holly Jolly Christmas-Michael Buble

This classic originally by Burl Ives, this song is sure to spread Christmas joy. The upbeat tune and lyrics keeps you feeling holly-jolly, and allows you to spread the holly-jolly feels all around.

{Other Recordings: Lady Antebellum, Alan Jackson}

1. All I want for Christmas-Mariah Carey

This is another Christmas classic, and yes- arguably number one on the requisite list of Christmas songs. Going along with the tune and feel of the holiday season this upbeat song originally sung by Mariah Carey, suggests the only thing you really want for the holidays is the one you love and love to be with. Definitely a song that’s going to make you feel the loneliness or the abundance of love surrounding you this season.

While my Christmas playlist has approximately 83 different songs/versions of songs on it, I consider these 20 to be the most essential to jam out to this holiday. This Christmas season, may you not only have a prestigious playlist for a “jingle bell rockin’” Christmas time, but, by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas!