Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s hard to escape the 24/7 radio stations and the ringing of sleigh bells in every store. From the classics to the remixed versions, here are RedEye’s favorite Christmas songs, all compiled into a playlist at the bottom, to help you embrace the holidays.

The 1800s

Dating all the way back to the 1830s, Tyler Lericos (Staffer) picked “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” by Love to Sing.

“I play it on the piano, and it’s very fun to play,” Lericos said.

“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” by Peter Tchaikovsky, was Isabella Bonilla (Staffer)’s choice.

“I love ballet, so it’s perfect,” Bonilla said.

The 1910s

Both Jacob Hamm (Assignment Editor) and Ofelia Mattingly (Staffer) selected “Carol of the Bells,” by Peter J. Wilhousky

“It can either be really peaceful of go really hard. It’s so cool,” Hamm said.

Both enjoy the classical, more instrumental versions.

“I like it because I play it in the orchestra,” Mattingly said.

The 1940s

Sabrina Naser (Lead Assignment Editor) went with a classic, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” by Dean Martin.

“I like how funny it is,” Naser said.

“I like songs with a faster beat, and honestly, I’m not a fan of Christmas music but I like this one,” Justin Farris (Staffer) said,

 choosing “Here Comes Santa Claus,” by Gene Autry.

The 1950s

Keeping with the decade, Anabel Magers (Staffer) picked “Jingle Bell Rock,” by Bobby Helms.

“It makes me think of Christmas on Disney Channel, like from when I was little,” Magers said.

 “Blue Christmas,” Elvis Presley was Macy Waddle (Staffer)’s choice. 

“I like it because Elvis sounds very good in it, and it’s soothing to listen to when you’re tired and drinking hot chocolate,” Waddle said.

The 1960s

Reminiscing the height of The Beach Boys’ era, Mandala Gupta Verwiebe (Social Media Director) chose their song “Little Saint Nick.”

“It gives me a lot of nostalgia because my dad has it on vinyl. We used to listen to it every Christmas morning, and I miss it because we don’t bring the record to my grandma’s. However, I still listen to it all the time,” Gupta Verwiebe said.

Both Cesca Campisano (Photo Editor) and Jayvon Rankin (Staffer) selected songs by artist Ella Fitzgerald. Campisano’s choice was “White Christmas.”

“We bought the CD of “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas” when I was little, and my sister and I would listen to it and play Barbies around Christmas. It’s one of my favorites. I also love the movie White Christmas,” she said.

Rankin chose “Frosty the Snowman.”

“It’s a very catchy song, and it energizes me in some type of way. It makes me jolly,” he said.

Zoe Paige (Staffer) picked “Christmas Time is Here,” by The Lori Mechem Quartet.

“It reminds me of the Charlie Brown movie, and I really like that movie,” Paige said.

The 1970s

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” by Elmo and Patsy, was Adrienne Sato (Sports Editor)’s choice

“It’s funny, and it’s kind of joking about the magical aspect of Christmas. (And) I like grandmas,” Sato said.

Meanwhile, “A Wonderful Christmastime,” by Paul Mccartney, was Molly Gregory (Staffer)’s pick.

“I really love that song because my dad always plays it at Christmas because he loves Mccartney. It just reminds me of home,” Gregory said.

The 1980s

Because of her passion for Wham!, EP Presnell (Opinion Editor) chose their version of “Last Christmas.”

“I didn’t know about the Wham! version until I was 14, and when I heard it, I thought it was the best thing ever,” Presnell said.

Because of her passion for the 80s, Kate Benton (Graphic Designer) selected Feliz Navidad, Boney M.

“No matter how I’m feeling, I can dance and easily know all the words to this song because it’s simple and fun. Immediate mood booster,” Benton said.

The 1990s

Heading into the more modern era, Andrew Meiners (Social Media Director) chose “Mary, Did You Know?,” by Michael English.

“It’s more emotional than other Christmas songs, and it’s slower vs. loud and faster, so it’s soothing,” Meiners said.

KC Ciresi (Staffer), Wisal El Majbri (Staffer), and Aliyah Lang (Staffer) all picked Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” as their favorites.

“I hear the little jingles in the beginning and immediately get so excited for Christmas. It puts me in such a good mood!” Ciresi said.

El Majbri doesn’t celebrate Christmas, but she still likes the song.

“It’s generic, but it’s just a Christmas classic. It always brings up the tone of the year, and it gives happy vibes. It’s something that you just associate with warmth, because the time of year always radiates positive energy. I like the spirit of it.” she said.

“I feel like the song reminds you of the reason behind Christmas. It’s not about the presents, it’s about being with your loved ones,” Lang said.

As a lover of movies, Norah Wulkopf (Staffer) chose “Somewhere in My Memory,” by John Williams.

“My grandpa and I always watch Home Alone together leading up to Christmas, which the song is in, and whenever I hear it it feels like Christmas. Sometimes it makes me cry and sometimes it makes me happy,” Wulkopf said.

The 2000s

As proclaimed on Twitter, Reece Gunther (Editor-in-Chief) loves “Little Drummer Boy,” specifically the version by Pentatonix.

“It always paints a happy picture in my mind. The haters need to pa-rum-pa-pum-pum back into the Christmas spirit.”

Everyone hating on the little drummer boy needs to pa rum pum pum pum themselves back into the Christmas spirit https://t.co/L3nOztskYE

— Reece Gunther (@reecegunthy) November 30, 2019

Maddie Gamertsfelder (Editor-in-Chief) selected “Underneath the Tree,” by Kelly Clarkson.

“It’s one of those songs that always puts me in a good mood, plus it always gets me in the Christmas spirit.”

Payton Carns (Assignment Editor) and Kyra Johnson (Staffer) each chose different versions of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

Carns’ pick was the one with duo Idina Menzel and Michael Buble.

“It’s just a really great song,” Carns said.

Johnson’s pick was the version sung by the Glee Cast.

“It’s a nice wintery song. It reminds me of companionship and the winter season.”

Piper Shiflet (Staffer) chose another Pentatonix song, which was “Mary, Did You Know?”

“I think Pentatonix are really good singers, and doing it a cappella makes it better,” Shiflet said.

And finally, Olivia Bohler (Staffer) picked “Drummer Boy,” by Justin Bieber”.

“It’s a very fun song that makes me want to dance,” Bohler said.

Happy Holidays!