The best love songs for Christmas +2023

While it’s true that the month of December is known for festive Christmas decorations, thoughtful gift ideas, snowman pajamas and holiday cocktail recipes, none of this matters without some holiday-themed music. Because the truth is, the holidays aren’t really the holidays without the romantic songs we’ve all come to know and love.

Whether you love ’90s romantic hits like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and *NSYNC’s “I Never Knew the Meaning of Christmas,” classics by Tony Bennett and The Ronettes, or new pop and country hits from Kacey Musgraves, John Legend and Meghan Trainor, chances are you have a few favourites.

But if you need help putting together the perfect playlist for all of your holiday celebrations this month, don’t worry. Whether you want to DJ at your couple’s Secret Santa party or play something in the car on the way to see the in-laws, we’ve got you covered. Enjoy below the 40 best Christmas love songs that will definitely make you search for your next mistletoe.

(However, if you want a more general holiday playlist because you’re in your “I Hate Love” feelings or healing phase, you can check out this list of the 75 Best Christmas Songs of All Time or this list of the Best Christmas Pop Songs.)

1. “All I want for Christmas is you,” Mariah Carey
2. “Santa Baby”, Eartha Kitt
3. “Last Christmas,” Wham!
4. “One Wish (This Year)”, Britney Spears
5. “I never knew what Christmas meant,” *NSYNC
6. “Please come home for Christmas”, Kelly Clarkson
7. “I want to come home for Christmas” Marvin gaye
8. Fa La La, Justin Bieber and Boyz II Men
9. “I Saw Mom Kissing Santa,” The Ronettes
10. “Winter Wonderland,” Tony Bennett
11. “Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!” Frank Sinatra
12. “This gift”, 98 degrees
13. “Mistletoe”, Justin Bieber
14. “You’re not alone”, Boyz II Men
15. “You make it feel like Christmas,” Neil Diamond
16. “Snowflakes of Love”, Toni Braxton
17. “Covered in Red”, Kelly Clarkson
18. “In Love with Christmas,” *NSYNC
19. “Love is Christmas”, Sara Bareilles
20. “Christmas through your eyes”, Gloria Estefan
21. “I got my love to keep me warm,” Dean Martin
22. “Merry Christmas, darling,” The Carpenters
23. “Christmas Eve”, Celine Dion
24. “Christmas is the time to say I love you”, Billy Squier
25. “This Christmas”, Mary J. Blige
26. “Christmas Without You”, OneRepublic
27. “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”, Stevie Wonder
28. “Miss You Most (At Christmastime)” Mariah Carey
29. “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, John Legend Feat. Kelly Clarkson
30. “Present Without a Bow”, Kacey Musgrave’s Feat. Leon Bridges
31. “Santa Tell Me”, Ariana Grande
32. “Naughty List”, Liam Payne Feat. dixie
33. “Cuddle Up, Cuddle Up Christmas”, Dolly Parton Feat. Michael Bubble
34. “Holidays”, Meghan Trainor Feat. earth, wind
35. “Christmas Without You”, Ava Max
36. “Kissin’ in the Cold”, JP Saxe Feat. Julia Michaels
37. “Heaven and Earth,” Leslie Odom Jr.
38. “Merry Christmas baby,” Otis Redding
39. “Sleigh Ride”, The Ronettes
40. “Mr Christmas”, Brett Eldredge

To listen to the playlist below, download it for free Spotify Software or app:

— Additional reporting by Lisette Mejia and Taylor Andrews