Here in New York, a hurricane snubbed our Halloween, so obviously the only answer would be to dive into Christmas early, right? To help make the sights and sounds of this Holiday season even better, we've compiled a list of the best holiday albums to hear and the best holiday movies to watch.
The Music
The Music
- Kristin Chenoweth, A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas
- This album uses Kristin's talent in every way, shape, and form. A mash-up between classics (The Christmas Waltz, I'll Be Home For Christmas), Broadway production (Christmas Island, Sing), some Country (Come On Ring Those Bells), and new takes on old songs (Sleep Well Little Children/What a Wonderful World) Kristin delivers it all on this album. It is a Holiday Must-Have.
- She & Him, A Very She & Him Christmas
- Zooey Deschanel has been everywhere lately, and rightfully so. Little Zooey's got a lot of talent in her, and she shows it on She and Him's Christmas album. She and Him is the combination of Zooey and critically-acclaimed Indie Artist M. Ward. On this, their third album, and first holiday collection, they deliver Indie takes on the classics, making them even better. Certain songs seem to appear on every Christmas Collection, like The Christmas Waltz or I'll Be Home For Christmas, but don't be mislead, She and Him's take on these classics are much different, but equally great.
- Lady Antebellum, On This Winter's Night
- About two years ago, Lady Antebellum released a Christmas EP exclusively for Target. Now their full-length album delivers even more. Again, all holiday albums seem to have at least two songs in common, and this one is no exception (I'll Be Home For Christmas makes an appearance on this album, as well, along with Silent Night). Lady Antebellum's Christmas CD isn't exactly Country, but, at the same time, it isn't really pop, but instead some great hybrid that will make anyone's Holiday season a bit brighter.
- Rachel Ray's How Cool is That Christmas
- No, Rachel is not singing on this album, but she has gathered all the classics onto one CD. It's a great holiday collection with songs by all the artists. The songs are great, and the CD also includes recipes by Rach!
- Andrea Bocelli, My Christmas
- Andrea Bocelli's operatic vocals create the perfect Christmas Collection on My Christmas. Yes, it has a few of the classics (What Child is this, Jingle Bells), but also features more unique songs as well as some Italian Christmas Classics.
- Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs
- Hotel Cafe has been considered one of the great launching pads of many successful artists like Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, and even Adele, and in their Holiday Collection, several of those artists, along with many others, perform some amazing renditions of holiday classics along with some new songs. One stand out track is the opener, Winter Song, by Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles, a sweeping and beautiful original song that, while melancholic, is a wonderful holiday song. Other artists like Fiona Apple, Katy Perry, and KT Tunstall offer amazing takes on classics.
Along with these albums, are several Holiday EPs, like Allie Moss' Christmas Tidings or Ingrid Michaelson's Snowfall EP and Taylor Swift's Holiday Collection.
The Movies
- A Christmas Story
- There should be no question that this is the most perfect Holiday Film. It's hilarious, true-to-life, and sweet, everything a Christmas Movie should be. It is not A Christmas Story, it is THE Christmas Story. It is unfortunate that A Christmas Story 2 has been made (although I haven't seen the actual movie), a classic should just not be tampered with.
- Elf
- Does this need an explanation? Elf is another movie that is just Christmas Perfection. A modern classic, Elf is hysterical and also features the aforementioned Zooey Deschanel. Does it get better?
- The Muppets Christmas Carol
- If you ask me, the Holiday Season should be a time of joy, and while I love A Christmas Carol, it is pretty dark (especially the Allister Simms version). The Muppets do just enough to lighten this version up and make a great holiday classic.
- Its A Wonderful Life
- MERRY CHRISTMAS MOVIE HOUSE! This film is a bit dark, but it is, without a doubt, a Christmas Classic. Also, you can scream MERRY CHRISTMAS to your family and just say you're quoting a movie.
- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
- While its not the best Christmas Movie, its a pretty damn good one, and belongs in anyone's Christmas Collection. I never watched it up until last year, and I'm glad I did. I had been missing out on this for all these years. Its Chevy Chase and Christmas, of course its going to be good!
