Holiday lights in your windows, an evergreen wreath on your front door…as a small business owner, there are plenty of ways to celebrate this festive time of year.  And once you’ve decked the halls, set up a gift-wrapping station, and organized your inventory, don’t forget to play some background holiday music. 

This time of year, many popular Christmas songs are prone to being overplayed—so we’ll go over everything you know to craft a perfect Christmas song playlist. In addition to setting a festive scene, you’ll help customers get into the holiday shopping spirit. 

The Best Christmas Songs

Christmas music falls into a few different categories. You can mix and match from different sub-genres, or choose one that you think works best for your business. Here, we’re breaking down some of the internet’s favorite and most-played Christmas songs by category for easy browsing.  

Classic Christmas Songs

You know the ones—they come on the radio and everyone sings along! Sticking to the best Christmas songs (or mixing a few into your playlist) is a great way to appeal to all kinds of customers. 

• “Jingle Bells,” Bing Crosby & The Andrew Sisters
• “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Gene Autry
• “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Brenda Lee
• “White Christmas,” Bing Crosby
• “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” Frank Sinatra
• “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Andy Williams
• “Jingle Bell Rock,” Bobby Helms
• “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” Michael Bublé
• “Feliz Navidad,” Jose Feliciano

Instrumental & Jazz Holiday Music

If you’re looking for true background music, you can’t go wrong with something instrumental or jazzy. Here are some much-loved song options that are great for your retail shop, hair salon, or eatery.  

• “Christmas Canon”, Trans-Siberian Orchestra
• “Christmas Time Is Here,” Vince Guaraldi Trio
• “Sleigh Ride,” Leroy Anderson
• “The First Noel,” Chet Baker
• “Cool Yule,” Louis Armstrong ft. The Commanders
• “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” from Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Religious Christmas Songs

Since Christmas is a religious holiday, there are plenty of songs that take inspiration from biblical stories and traditional hymns. Consider incorporating religious music into your Christmas song playlist if you’re hosting a holiday fair at a local church. 

• “The Christmas Shoes,” Newsong
• “We Three Kings,” Dolly Parton
• “Angels We Have Heard On High,” Josh Groban
• “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” Nat King Cole

Holiday Pop Songs

Looking for holiday music that feels a little trendier, and upbeat? There are new Christmas and holiday songs that come out every year by popular artists. Consider mixing new releases with festive pop favorites for a playlist that your customers—and employees—will love listening to.  

• “Mistletoe,” Justin Bieber
• “Santa Tell Me,” Ariana Grande
• “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Mariah Carey
• “Where Are You Christmas,” Faith Hill
• “Last Christmas,” Wham!
• “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,” *NSYNC
• “Underneath The Tree,” Kelly Clarkson
• “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” Band Aid

The Most Annoying Christmas Songs

Generally, the worst Christmas songs are the ones that are played over and over again, until everyone is tired of hearing them. And while everyone has their personal preferences, sources around the internet have compiled several universally agreed-upon annoying Christmas songs.  

• “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
• “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
• “Santa Baby,” Eartha Kitt
• “Dominic The Donkey,” Lou Monte
• “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”
• “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”
• “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late),” The Chipmunks
• “Wonderful Christmastime,” Paul McCartney
• “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Mariah Carey. Though the most popular Christmas song in 10 states—more than any other tune—it was also ranked the #1 most annoying Christmas song in a 2022 survey. This is also considered one of the most overplayed songs, so stream with caution!

Want to get some of the best holiday music into your customers’ hands? Customized holiday card and CD sets are a perfect way to keep your brand top of mind while spreading Christmas cheer. This CD features an assortment of classic religious Christmas songs, as well as all-time favorites like “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells.” 

Custom Full Color Christmas Card with Matching CD