It’s finally the holiday season! If you know me, you know that there is no holiday I enjoy more than Christmas. And while I’d like to say that I spend my winter break sipping a hot cocoa in front of the fireplace, whether it’s driving to the mall to shop for presents, driving up to the tree farm to pick out a fresh evergreen for the living room, or driving back and forth from Christmas party to Christmas party, I often find my holidays are consumed by time in the car. So here are some Christmas songs to get you and whoever you bring along onto the road into the holiday spirit.

Holiday Road – Lindsey Buckingham

This song really warrants no explanation, the title speaks for itself. It has the essence of 80’s dance music intertwined with classic Christmas cheer. The songs jumps almost immediately into the catchy chorus that, trust me, you won’t be able to get out of your head for weeks.

Last Christmas – Wham!

While not necessarily a “Christmas Classic”, there’s no denying that this song is perfect car sing-a-long material. It encompasses the inevitable holiday loneliness without compromising the festive tune. It’s no doubt a little cheesy and yet a tinge bittersweet. And besides, who’s going to pass up George Michael?

Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano

Anyone who denies this latin pop tune of its rightful place among the best Christmas songs may exit this article right now. This song is bright, bubbly and warm, with lyrics simple enough even for non-Spanish speakers (including myself). I can’t tell you how many car rides I’ve spent repeating this song over and over again, it truly never gets old. No wonder this widely beloved song is also a Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipient.

Holly Jolly Christmas – Michael Buble

If this song doesn’t scream classic, I don’t know what does. This song delivers exactly what it advertises. It sets that quintessential  “holly jolly” atmosphere, that no christmas playlist would be complete without. This is the perfect song to perk you up when you hit that lull in Christmas shopping.

Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea

Once again, this one, by the title alone, was made to be in this playlist. And the backstory for the song is actually quite sweet. Rea was stuck in a snowstorm at peak traffic and upon seeing the many unhappy drivers around him, began to jokingly sing the tune that eventually became the festive song we still enjoy today. The song was played repeatedly on the radio and in advertisements, and unsurprisingly topped holiday charts annually. Having elements of Jazz, Rock and Pop, this song is the perfect song to play as you pull into the driveway before preparing Christmas Eve dinner.

Oh, and don’t worry, I did not forget All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey; but that one goes without saying, right?

Full playlist:

Playlist with all Music Monday songs: