Christmas/Winter music :)

[Hero1callylost]

Sorry if this has already been done! I'm trying to be much more organised this year and not rely on last minute Youtube searches for Christmas playlists, so what's everyone's favourite Christmas/winter soundtracks?

In my house it's traditional to play...
Kings Carols while we decorate the Christmas tree
Sting's If On A Winter's Night for an evening writing Christmas cards
Sufjan Stevens for a Saturday morning baking session

We struggle with non-naff music for the party side of Christmas, so please help me out!

Not party ish but really beautiful Sarah McLachlan Wintersong album. I play it when putting up the tree

The Buble album is a must for me, and I have downloaded various Christmas compilations then made a playlist with just the ones I like. There are several different versions of the same song on it. I am a fan of a bit of cheeses music at christmas (cliff Richard, bing Crosby, Doris day, the darkness )

I would love some classical Christmas music, but not with anyone singing if anyone has any suggestions? I Look every year but haven't found any

Agree is itis.
Buble album is magic. If you're looking for no voices try "Classical Christmas Ambience" CD. Also "A Classic Christmas " (red cover). It's got 'TheFirst Noel' with "Box of Delights" theme running through. Actually brings tears For pure cheese try Twisted Sister album. Ridiculous, especially 'Oh Come all you Faithful' check out the video on YouTube
Can you tell I'm a bit of a Christmas music freak ...

I've got three massive Spotify playlists for Christmas, that I compiled last year .

One is cheesy Christmas hits (the dreaded Mariah 'All I Want For Xmas' etc )
One is retro American Christmas classics (lots of Brenda Lee, Dean Martin, Sinatra)
One is proper carols, sung by decent choirs.

Sinatra's Christmas songs are my favourite, though.

Oooh yes love a bit of Bing Crosby type thing too!

Evidently must look up the Buble album, thanks

Classical Christmas music IsitI... not sure if this is the kind of thing you mean but I have a classical compilation album of the seasons. HMV so probably not available any more, but on the winter album there's these tracks...

Troika by Prokofiev
The Skaters Waltz by Waldteufel
Christmas Concerto by Corelli
Hallelujah Chorus by Handel
Che Gelida Manina by Puccini

Thank you! I'm browsing Amazon as we speak!

And Hero definately have a listen to the Buble album, it's quite traditional sounding but so so Christmassy

Has to be Nat King Cole for decorating the Xmas tree.

Must try that album with the box of delights theme tune. I love the box of delights!

Annie Lennox' Christmas Cornucopia album and Phil Spectors A Christmas Gift are staples here.

I love Christmas music

Carol of the Bells is the Christmas song to decorate the tree to!

I like the old Sinatra, Martin, Bing type compilations.

My favourite though is Christmastime by Fred Penner. He's a Canadian children's entertainer (bear with me here!) But the album is for everyone, a mix of trad carols, original songs and traditional Christmas music from other countries. Some of the Slavic and German songs especially are beautiful. My DC grew up with it, I break it out on Dec 1st each year.

I am always after gospel carol album but never seem to find one..

I've just been playing some Spotify music and came across A Joyful Christmas album, it's sort of soundtrackey somehow and has been nice to have on in the background.

I LOVE Christmas & the music & everything that goes with christmas!!!
I love all the classics, like the choirs & Crosby & Sinatra, plus all the cheesy like Mariah Cary, Wham/George Michael. Also love Michael Bubles Christmas CD

Have just bought the Christmas at Downton Abbey CD, I`ve listened to a couple of snippets of songs, its going to be great!!

I would recommend A Very She & Him Christmas! Zooey Deschanel's band singing very chilled versions of old Christmas songs - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, etc.

I always do my wrapping with it on!

I love to listen to the DIT Chamber Choir cd for wrapping and general relaxation time.

I have a Christmas Hits double CD (all the old favourite party tunes etc) for when I want to bop around the kitchen baking.

I seem to turn on Merry Christmas Radio (on live365 internet radio) for cleaning, rather than the party tunes. There is a lovely eclectic mix of choral, orchestral, country and rock music there.

I need to set up a spotify list for myself for when I am travelling - can't access MCR on the move.

Hely-Hutchinson's A Carol Symphony is what we always open presents to.

It's where the theme for The Box of Delights is taken from :) It is available on cd by the City of Prague Orchestra along with various other variations on traditional carols.

lurky

Thanks for the Zooey recommendation...just had it on you tube and love it!

There was a thread a year or two ago where people listed their favourite carols and a Mumsnetter made a spotify playlist. I'll check and see what it's called.

Annie Lennox and Puppini sisters

It's called Mumsnet Christmas and the playlist is by ruthychev.

I love Christmas music! My favourites are The Sixteen Christmas Carols plus volume 2 (proper carols as they should be sung) and
In Terra Pax
We also listen to the Messiah and I have a big collection of crooners carols downloaded - favourite is the orchestral version of Sleigh Ride.

The Smith & Burrows album. I think they only made one, but it's very festive. I played it repeatedly last December.