my favorite christmas tunes

Instead of blogging about a new album, I'd like to take advantage of the holidays and recommend some of my favorite Christmas songs. I'm so happy great music accompanies this wonderful time. I discover new Christmas music each year, but I always find my way back to the songs I grew up listening to. My favorite album this year is, Ella Fitzgerald's A Swinging Christmas album. She captures holiday cheer with her upbeat, jazzy voice. I hope you  listen to the songs listed below and enjoy humming along to the merry melodies!

1. "Carol of the Bells" by Destiny's Child - They sing this a cappella and the harmonies are insane!
2. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Frank Sinatra - What a guy and what a voice.
3. "Silent Night" by Taylor Swift - Taylor's rendition is beautiful. The tone of this song fits perfectly with the lyrics
4. "O Holy Night" by Celine Dion - Celine's voice is absolutely breathtaking on this track. I'm in awe every time I hear her sing this.
5. "Jingle Bells" by Ella Fitzgerald - I love the big-band feel of this song; it instantley makes me happy. Ella manages to dominate every note.
6. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey - Okay, I know my favorite duo is broken up, but I love the way their voices sound together singing this duet.
7. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by Bing Crosby - A phenomenal classic, that's all I need to say.
8. "Do You Hear What I Hear" by Carrie Underwood - I love to soak in the lyrics when I listen to this song and Carrie's voice makes it so easy.
9. "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey - You knew this was going to make the list, it's a very popular one.
10. "Ave Maria" by Michael Buble - Flawless. He makes this song seem easy to sing. If only he could sing this at my wedding!
11. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by the Jackson 5 - It's so upbeat and fun!
12. "What Christmas Means To Me" by Stevie Wonder - Awesome, awesome, awesome.
13. "Where Are You Christmas" by Faith Hill - This song is from the soundtrack of my favorite Christmas movie.
14. "Christmas Song"  by the Carpenters - Listening to Christmas songs by the Carpenters always reminds me of my mom. She used to mention how much she loves Carol Carpenter's voice and I remember listening to this song with her.
15."The Night Before Christmas" by Brandon Heath - I think I may have saved the best for last. This song embodies what Christmas is truly about. It's so easy for me to get wrapped up in the advertisements, celebrations and gifts, but it's time to look past all of that and truly celebrate Christ's birth this CHRISTmas.

Stay beautiful,
Marina