Let’s be honest here. We’re all exhausted. Finals are coming up but all we REALLY want to do is get in the Christmas spirit right now! Christmas is close but sometimes it feels like break is years away. I don’t know about you, but music is always one of the best ways for me to relax, de-stress, and remember what makes this amazing season so special, even in the midst of finals. So, I’d like to take a moment to share with you some of my personal favorite Christmas songs that you probably won’t hear on the radio this year.

1. Light of Christmas by Owl City feat. Toby Mac

This song will always be one of my favorite Christmas jams, and is always first on any Christmas playlist I make. The upbeat song was originally written for a Veggie Tales Christmas special, and I mean, you can’t really go wrong with Veggie Tales. It’s fun, simple, and catchy, and reminds us what Christmas is really about.

Light me up, and I’ll show you the way
Every year, can’t wait for Christmas day
Light me up, I’ve finally figured out
What Christmas is all about.

2. The Christmas Can-Can by Straight No Chaser

You’ve probably heard this awesome group’s creative version of the 12 Days of Christmas on the radio, but if you haven’t heard their entire album, Christmas Cheers, do yourself a favor and give it a listen! This A Capella group may not be Pentatonix, but they have some super fun renditions of Christmas classics, including this particularly creative opening number that sings the joys and laments of the Christmas season from shopping to caroling to snow.

Christmas, Christmas time is here,
And Christmas songs you love to hear
Thoughts of joy and hope and cheer,
But mostly shopping, shopping, shopping!

3. Humbug by Owl City

Speaking of Christmas shopping, Owl City’s new single, Humbug, relatably expresses the pressure and stress that comes with trying to find that perfect Christmas gift for your loved ones… and why our love for them is more important than any gift we can give. It’s funny, and heartfelt and just a liiiiitle cheesy. Okay, a lot cheesy. But hey, that’s Owl City for you. Also, I mean, with lines like “How 'bout I jump out the window… singing Joy to the World face down in the snow,” you can’t really go wrong.

I’m ready to wrap that perfect Christmas gift
But I haven’t found it yet
‘Cause I don’t have a clue what to give you
So I’ll give you my heart, I hope it’ll do.

4. Peppermint Winter by Owl City

Noticing a pattern here? But honestly, this super sweet mellow song, encompasses the childlike joy that comes with snowfall and Christmas in a beautiful way. Once again with stellar lyrics like, “I twirl through the driveway with angelic grace, till I slip on the sidewalk and fall on my face,” this song is equal parts funny and sweet. The perfect song to listen to while sipping hot cocoa staring outside at the falling snow…

This peppermint winter is so sugar sweet
I don’t need to taste to believe
What’s December without Christmas Eve?

5. I Celebrate The Day by Relient K

Relient K’s beautiful writing is what draws me to their songs, but this song in particular is a thought-provoking break from their general silliness that encompasses their Christmas album (Let it Snow Baby, Let it Reindeer… if the title gives you anything to go by). It is a beautifully written reminder of what makes the Christmas season so special, in a way that sends chills down my spine, and brings me back to focus on the true reason why I celebrate Christmas day:

I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life.