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