With the Christmas holiday quickly approaching, the jolly sound of yule tide tunes seem to be all around us. For those “normal” folks out there who haven’t been spinning their Christmas vinyl since November (guilty as charged), radio stations are now on non-stop Christmas song loop.
I’m a Christmas music addict. I often find myself breaking out the N*SYNC Christmas album in July just for a taste of that merriment I crave all year. But now it’s time to put away the new Adele album and dust off that old Bing Crosby record. And let’s be real, it’s hard to be merry when you’re stuck inside that cubicle all day, dreaming of a white Christmas, egg nog, and cookies — although its safe to say I dream about cookies 365 days a year.
So brighten up work and bring your playlist with you, ensuring optimal cheer in an otherwise gloomy situation. My personal christmas playlist is quite extensive ranging from Frank Sinatra classics, to spooky Bright Eyes tunes, to the island sounds of Jimmy Buffett and The Beach Boys. You too can optimize your holiday season in the work place with these songs which are sure to add some holiday greetings.
- “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by The Jackson 5: This classic is always a lot of fun… and who can resist that adorable voice of young Michael Jackson?
- “Baby it’s Cold Outside” by James Taylor and Natalie Cole: This version is by far my favorite of the song. James is a legend, and he enlisted the incomparable Natalie Cole for the duet. And it always makes me long to stay in for the evening.
- “Let it Snow!” by Dean Martin: Another classic that has just the perfect amount of cheer. This song can brighten up any drab day.
- “Sleigh Ride” by Ella Fitzgerald: It’s impossible not to see Buddy The Elf traipsing through Gimbles, drinking perfume, and awkwardly trying to ride an escalator when this song comes on. Try it. I dare you.
- “The Christmas Waltz” by She & Him: Nothing paints the picture of Christmas quite like this song, and Zooey’s warm rich voice make us feel like we are drinking hot apple cider.
- “Christmas Blues” by Dustin Kensrue: This soulful song has a neat story that I just cannot get over. Kensrue says of the song in his limited release vinyl, “The random metallic pop in the harmonica break is my Coke Zero can popping itself back out. I can’t remember if I didn’t notice it in time to fix it or if I left it on purpose. Probably a little of both, but I’m glad I did; music is too perfect nowadays.”
- “No Christmas for Me” by Zee Avi: I am a Zee Avi fan girl and she needs to release a full Christmas album. That’s why this seemingly unknown song made the top-five. She’s that good.
- “Little Saint Nick” by The Beach Boys: I can’t help but smile when I hear this song and it transports me to a much different White Christmas — where I’m lounging on a beach, umbrella drink in my hand, getting seriously tan.
- “Step Into Christmas” by Elton John: If you’re looking for a three-minute dance break during your long work day, this is the song to play. Burn off the excess Christmas cookies you ate at your desk for lunch, and freak out your co-workers. Heck, the joyous sounds might be so contagious that they join you. Either way, everyone wins. Plus, two words: Elton. John. C’mon.
- “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby: The epic classic. Christmas without this song, is like Christmas without cookies: Kind of pointless.
*Honorable Mention to Kenny G for being the background music playing at all Holiday parties.*
Raise a glass of eggnog, grab a cookie, crank up that playlist (not so loud that your Scrooge of a boss comes looking for you though) and let’s jam out this holiday season. There’s no reason that the sounds of the season shouldn’t extend to your office. After all, Christmas only comes once a year.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all.
