Hands down, this is the best time of the year. I have so many great childhood memories of Christmastime in Louisville with my family. This collection of songs is so nostalgic and I wish I could play them all year long. Unfortunately, I am confined to the month of December to listen to them, so I play these songs every chance I get while I can!

“The Christmas Song” by The Raveonettes

I specifically remember this song playing while my family and I decorated for past holidays. Its catchy and upbeat tune makes it the perfect song to jam out to while baking cookies for Santa, wrapping presents, and just enjoying the holiday spirit from the comfort of home. The Raveonettes, a Danish indie rock duo, perfectly capture the Christmas spirit in this song. 

“I Just Wanted to Say” by My Morning Jacket

This is another very nostalgic childhood Christmas song, it plays every Christmas morning as my family and I open our gifts. The song is slow and peaceful with a calm, soothing tone and chorus. Anytime it snows during the Christmas season, this is the first song I play and it is the best song to listen to while the snow softly falls. 

“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Death Cab for Cutie

This song is much more upbeat and fast paced compared to the last one, with the piano in the background cheer-y vocals. It is truly the perfect Christmas mix. Every Christmas my family used to drive to Washington D.C. to visit family and this was always my favorite song on the shuffle during the 10 hour drive. Driving through the snowy West Virginia mountains with this song on blast is such a happy memory of mine during the holiday season.

“Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi Trio

I don’t think it would be a complete Holiday season without this song. The iconic Charlie Brown Christmas movie is a must-watch and the soundtrack is on repeat throughout December for me. This song specifically is so well-known while so festive and comforting. I highly recommend blasting it on house speakers or on the morning drive to school, it is a great way to start the day!

“Xmas Curtain” by My Morning Jacket

This song begins with a steady drum beat and builds up to a vibrant sound of many instruments and voices. It adds to the festive and happy atmosphere at my house when it plays through the speakers. My Morning Jacket, a Louisville-rooted rock band, perfectly encapsulates the holiday spirit in Louisville in this song. Driving down Bardstown Road during Bardstown Road Aglow, I had this song playing and it made for the perfect holiday night, looking at the lights and listening to this song.