In no order except the first two:
1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – I only like the versions that use the original lyrics from the song’s original source, the movie musical Meet Me in St. Louis. The lyric is not “hang a shining star on the tallest bough.” It is supposed to be “until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow.” The song in the film is about a family who is about to move to another town at Christmas so they won’t be with their friends for the next year. Very sad song in the film, sung by Judy Garland. Michael Ball does a good version too.
2. O Holy Night – Classic Christmas song. Anyone with a good voice rocks this song. I think it captures the religious element of the holiday perfectly. Since I grew up believing Christmas to be more about peace than God or Jesus, I do seperate these elements for the occassion. Sue me. 
3. The Bells of St. Paul – sung by Linda Eder. Beautiful love song set against Christmastime. I remember going to London and going to St. Paul’s Cathedral to take pictures of the bell towers because of this song. Beautiful cathedral too. Nice gardens.
4. Ave Maria - Really nice, peaceful song. I like Michael Ball’s version the best, but Harry Connick Jr. does a good one too.
5. This Christmas – also happens to be a new holiday movie coming out. I like up tempo Christmas songs too and this one has a good beat to it.
6. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - from the Dr. Demento Christmas Album my family has listened to every Christmas since I can remember. All funny songs. This was my mom’s favorite (might still be). Raises the question of how to pluralize the word “hippopotamus.”
7. I’m a Christmas Tree – again, from Dr. Demento. Lyrics: I’m a Christmas Tree/I’m a Christmas tree/Everybody hangs their ornaments on me./ I’m a Christmas tree/I’m a Christmas tree/People throw me out on New Year’s Eve./Oh Santa Claus/Oh Santa Claus/He breaks lots of laws/He trespasses/He breaks and enters/He travels all around the world without a valid passport./I’m a Chanukah bush/I’m a Chanukah bush/I’m a lot like a Jewish Christmas tree.– I love that song
8. When a Child is Born – Pretty sure this is an English Christmas song. I’ve only ever heard it done by Michael Ball, but it is an absolutely gorgeous, anthem-like song. Huge note at the end.
9. When the River Meets the Sea – from the John Denver/Muppets Christmas Album, another one that I’ve been listening to all my life. Usually the first album we as a family will listen to each season. This is a real quiet ballad and really pretty.
10. Christmastime on Highway 13 – on one of the Carols For a Cure Broadway CD’s I have. Kinda like a twangy, country ballad and kinda sad. The Carols for Cure is a Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS product released every year, featuring all the current Broadway casts. Definitely worth the money.
11. Blue Christmas – I like the slow, jazzy songs. What can I say?
12. Mary’s Little Boy Child – I’m picky on this one. I only like Harry Connick Jr.’s version because it is up tempo and jazzy with an awesome rhythm to it. I’ve heard it done straight and I don’t like it as much. Both of Connick’s holiday CD’s are really great. “Harry for the Holidays” is the best one.
13. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – in the same category as Blue Christmas. I like ‘em slow.
14. All I Want for Christmas is You – Made famous by Mariah Carey and in the movie Love Actually. I hated this song when it first came out and now I love it. Can’t help but sing with the song when it comes on.
15. Christmas at Ground Zero – this song has nothing to do with 9/11. It came out years and years before 2001, by Weird Al Yankovic. It is on the Dr. Demento album. It is about nuclear bombs going off at Christmas, but done against a very jolly, happy tune and air raid sirens. Incredibly funny song that has gotten somewhat ruined by 9/11. I still listen to it though. Lyrics: Its Christmas at Ground Zero/and if the radiation levels okay/I’ll go out with you/and enjoy the new mutations on New Year’s Day./ What a crazy fluke/We’re gonna get nuked on this jolly holiday. — I know it is so bad, but it really is a funny song. I’m a horrible person.
Runners Up:
- The Twelve Days of Christmas – both the original version and the Bob and Doug Mackenzie version in which the first day of Christmas is a beer.
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- The Happy Elf
- Silent Night
