The winters are almost here, and it is time for the cakes, mistletoes, hollies, gifts, Christmas trees and presents. Christmas is the time to be around your loved ones and be merry. With barely a few weeks in hand, we cannot wait to begin our preparations for Christmas.

Christmas is also the time to listen to carols. However, Christmas is not until we drive around our cities to marvel at the lights and the décor, visit friends and family and listen to some lovely Christmas songs while we drive. Below, we list some of the most coveted and celebrated songs for the upcoming Christmas season so that you can stock up on the tracks in your car stereo and invest yourself in the mood whenever you are behind the steering wheel.

‘Winter Wonderland’ by Darlene Love

Winter Wonderland is one of the most renowned songs sung by the famous American popular music singer Darlene Love. The song is part of the album ‘A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector’, which was released in 1963. Darlene Love is ranked at number 84 among Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Singers of all time. This Christmas Album packs the right mood for the season, and while it is difficult for anyone to pick a single favourite, this song is considered by many to be the most harmonious one.

‘Christmas Wrapping’ by Waitresses

Released in 1981, the single Christmas Wrapping was a predominant reason for the popularity of The Waitresses, the post-punk band from Ohio that was active for a decade between the mid-seventies and mid-eighties. This fun song begins with the lyric ‘Bah Humbug’ and combines an interesting amalgamation of upbeat bass lines and some downbeat sentiment.

‘Driving Home for Christmas’ by Chris Rea

This song is all the more beautiful because of the sentimental story, which wraps the essence of the lyrics. Everyone can relate to what Chris might be going through when he is stuck in his car in a traffic jam on Christmas Eve. ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ has a comfortable tune that is for playing in lounges, instantly setting the Christmas mood instantly. The song was released in 1983 and has been used in multiple Christmas commercials ever since. Rea considers this song a ‘Car version of a Christmas Carol.’

‘Mary’s Boy Child‘ by Boney M

The Boney M featured a cover of one of the most popular Christmas Carols’ Long time Ago in Bethlehem… Mary’s Boy Child‘ is one of the best-selling Christmas singles of all time. Boney M gained much repute during the disco era of the 1970s and comprised of Jamaican singers. The carol was originally written in 1956 by Jester Hairston. Released in 1978, the song has a typical Boney M disco feel.

‘Merry Xmas Everybody‘ by Slade

Merry Xmas by Slade is often the Christmas theme song for many people worldwide. The most fascinating aspect of this song is that the original lyric and tune of the song, i.e. ‘Buy me a rocking chair,’ in no way was Christmassy. This song was recorded in 1973 after the famous record company Polydor suggested scrapping the original and instead advised the band Slade to release a Christmas number. The song was at the top of the charts the moment it was released and has been gaining a fan following ever since.

‘The 12 Days of Christmas‘ by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters

12 Days of Christmas by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters was released in 1949 and is the perfect song to play in your car during the festive season, especially if you have children in the family. Being one of the most popular Christmas songs, this track is so easy to sing that you will often find everyone joining in when you sing! The upbeat melody, coupled with Crosby’s trademark warm bass-baritone voice, which is often considered the ‘Voice of Christmas‘, makes for a great hearing.

‘Have yourself a Merry little Christmas‘ by Frank Sinatra

Written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, this song was initially sung by Judy Garland in 1944 and later recorded by the American singer and songwriter Frank Sinatra, who was the third singer to record this number. Sinatra is one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, and many consider his Christmas songs timeless. This song is backed by the popular Hollywood arranger Gus Levene and his orchestra.

‘Mistletone and Wine‘ by Cliff Richard

We all know that a Christmas playlist can never beleted without Cliff Richard, and t; thise was released by the singer in 1988. ‘Mistletoe and Wine‘ is Richard’s twelfth #1 chartbuster and his 99th single. This song was also the best-selling number in the UK in 1988. The song was written by Jeremy Paul, Leslie Stewart, and Keith Strachan.

‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town‘ by Michael Buble

This traditional Christmas song was originally written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November 1934. The latest version of these Christmas songs was covered by the Canadian singer and songwriter Michael Buble in 2011 and has received rave reviews from listeners around the world.

 ‘Jingle Bell Rock‘ by Bobby Helms

Bobby Helms released the popular Christmas track Jingle Bell Rock in 1958. The carol is the third most covered Christmas tune of all time. The rhythmic and bouncy melody, coupled with crispy lyrics, is sung and loved by many around the world. Jingle Bells can instantly set the festive mood, and Bobby Helm’s cover of the rock’n’roll tune is a much-celebrated song.

So go and listen to some peppy Christmas tunes. We promise that these songs will usher in the festive season in the best possible way and render the hop and skip in your steps.

Here’s wishing you the best of health and happiness during the holidays. Have a Merry Christmas!