“Dónde Está Santa Claus” by Zhang Lu — “Dónde Está Santa Claus” from the album An Evening With Chang Loo, released in 2015 “Dónde Está Santa Claus” is a fun Christmas song about a kid wondering where Santa Claus is. An immediate hit for 12 year old Augie Rios upon its release, the song has been covered more times than I can count. My favorite version, obviously, is Zhang Lu’s. A pioneer of the Chinese pop music scene in the 1940s and 50s, she often incorporated jazz and sang in both English and Chinese and with “Dónde Está Santa Claus,” Spanish.

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings” by Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan — “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings” from the album Barenaked For The Holidays, released in 2004 I’ve always liked Barenaked Ladies. I don’t know what it is about this band that just does something for me. They’re just a fun band, I guess. …

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey — “All I Want For Christmas Is You” from the album Merry Christmas, released in 1994 I mean, come on, you knew this one was going to show up on this list somewhere, right? If you’ve been with me this whole time, you had to have known. This is the Generation…

“The Season’s Upon Us” by Dropkick Murphys — “The Season’s Upon Us” from the album Signed and Sealed in Blood, released in 2013 Family man, WTF. Anyway, they call this Christmas where I’m from too, man. But seriously, this tongue in cheek sendup to everything rough about family holiday gatherins is a fun song and a clear reminder not to take anything too seriously. See what else I’ve placed on Project 365 here.

“Father Christmas” by The Kinks — “Father Christmas,” released in 1977 Influenced by American R&B and rock & roll, The Kinks are one of those English bands that never really found a genre. But that’s okay because they are awesome. So many of their songs prove that. But this one is particularly powerful. Not only is it a great punk influenced sound, it also reminds any who listen that Christmas isn’t great for everyone. This simple fact is something we all should keep in mind when we’re shopping, wrapping presents, and celebrating with our loved ones.

“Merry Christmas From The Family” by Robert Earl Keen — “Merry Christmas From The Family” from the album Gringo Honeymoon, released in 1994 I know you’ve been to an extended family Christmas celebration. We all have. Some of us have been the significant other to someone who knew this was all going to happen. Others were just there for the ride. Either way, it is a universal experience. In “Merry Christmas From The Family” Robert Earl Keen gives listeners some very specific events at a Christmas family gathering.

“Sugar & Booze” by Ana Gasteyer — “Sugar & Booze” from the album Sugar & Booze, released in 2019 Listen up, nerds. Ana Gasteyer can sing. Like, for real. Like, wow. Holy cow. This whole album is Christmas banger after Christmas banger after Christmas banger. If “Sugar & Booe” isn’t on your Christmas playlist yet, it will be after giving this a listen. It’s a fun jam that is all about how festive Christmas can and should be.

“Here It Is Christmastime” by Kevin Bacon & Old 97's — “Here It Is Christmastime” from the album The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, released in 2022 I’m not crying. You’re crying. That’s what I think every time I hear this song. It’s because I cry every time I hear this song. But they aren’t tears of sorrow. They are tears of joy. The idea that Christmas should be about brotherly love and family and being close to the ones you hold dear is far more appealing to me than the idea that Christmas is about the day Jesus Christ was born.

“Even A Miracle Needs A Hand” by Sonntag — “Even A Miracle Needs A Hand,” released in 2019 In 1974, Rankin and Bass released the animated special “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” about a town Santa Claus abandons when someone prints a letter in the local paper saying that Santa is bullshit. Naturally, Santa is angered by this. The…