Hi friends!
If you read my last post, you may remember that I have been crossing my fingers all week for a snow day. And it appears the forecast has looked favorably upon me! It’s 10:00 AM and I am currently at home in my pajamas and *not* in math class. Yay!!
To celebrate this auspicious day, I’m sharing with you my current holiday playlist! I tend go hardcore when it comes to Christmas music (come November 1st, my Spotify is a magical-winter-wonderland-tinsel-snow-fest-of-fun!) and I am so eager to share some of my fave songs with you all.
Happy listening!


i want a hippopotamus for christmas – kacey musgraves version
My *favorite* Christmas jam, and one that is in constant rotation on my phone. I can’t even explain it’s appeal. Do I want a hippopotamus for Christmas? No. But do I blast this song morning and night, October to January? Yes.


sleigh ride – the spice girls version
Another half-serious favorite Christmas song! The Spice Girls spend 60% of the recording talking about football and arguing whether or not Christmas is worth singing about. (It is, apparently.) A true masterpiece.


let it snow – valerie june version
I was lucky enough to see Valerie June in concert a few years ago, and I’ve loved her music ever since! (If you haven’t heard her work before, I so recommend listening to her Tiny Desk Concert; it’s fantastic.) Her version of “Let It Snow” is folksy and whimsical and the perfect accompaniment to a cup of hot cocoa.


little drummer boy – leslie odom jr version
I swear, Leslie Odom Jr has the most soothing, comforting voice in the world. All his holiday songs are worth a listen, but his version of “Little Drummer Boy” is extra catchy thanks to the uber-talented kids of the Mzansi Youth Choir, who feature on the track! Their parapapampams are amazing.


christmas is all around – BAILEN version
I only saw Love, Actually for the first time this year (I know, I know!) but the storyline with Bill Nighy’s aging rock star instantly became my favorite. Here, the sibling-trio BAILEN transforms the film’s catchiest tune into an indie jam just right for the holiday season.


the longest winter – hadestown cast featuring amber gray
This next song has a very accurate title for what has been a very long year! Hadestown is one of my favorite musicals at the moment, and I love the cast’s entire spin-off holiday album. “The Longest Winter” — featuring the raspy, lovely voice of actress Amber Gray — is a soothing standout.


cross you off my list – lola kirke
What’s Christmas without a sad, seasonal break-up song? Lola Kirke’s original holiday tune is a bit spunky, a tad snarky, and oh-so catchy. She may want to to cross her ex-love off her list, but you should definitely keep this song on yours!


christmas island – ella fitzgerald version
ELLA! The true queen of the holiday season. Any holiday song of hers deserves a shout-out, but I especially love her version of “Christmas Island.” It’s perfect for those time when you just can’t take the winter weather anymore. (Fittingly, my preferred method of listening to this song is with a mini space heater at my side.)


the boar’s head carol – the young tradition version
“The Boar’s Head Carol,” according to Wikipedia, is “a macaronic 15th century English Christmas carol that describes the ancient tradition of sacrificing a boar and presenting its head at a Yuletide feast.” The Young Tradition’s version, recorded in the 1970s with the help of musicians Shirley and Dolly Collins, is perfect for when you want your holidays to be both medieval *and* folksy. Cheers.


ocho kandelikas – idina menzel version
We finish off today’s post with Idina Menzel’s version of “Ocho Kandelikas,” a Ladino song celebrating Hanukkah which was first written by composer Flory Jagoda in 1983. The beat of the song is *so* good, and it makes me want to get up and dance every time I hear it!

That’s how I’m currently filling my playlists with cheer! I’d love to know: what songs are on your holiday rotation at the moment?
xx
lulu
Ahhh love this Lulu!! Yess Leslie Odom Jr. has the most gorgeous voice and I can’t get enough of it! And ahh you’ve just reminded me to listen to Hadestown’s holiday album! Great post ❤️
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Thank you so much Abby!! Leslie Odom Jr is the best, hehe 🙂
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I saw “I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas” on here and laughed out loud–for real! 😉 My kids like to sneak this song on me occasionally because they know how much I hate it! ESPECIALLY the version by Gayla Peevey! Oh my goodness! It KILLS ME! 😉
You do have some other great songs on here, though! Love this!
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Hehe, I think I’ve driven my family crazy with that song!! 🙈
And thank you, you’re so sweet! ❤ I hope you're having a lovely December!!
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phenomenal post!!! can’t believe this is the first time I’ve discovered your blog!!!
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