It’s almost Christmas, and amongst other things that means Christmas songs have started to fill the airwaves. It’s easy to roll your eyes at the prospect, but there is actually a great deal more to Christmas music than “All I Want for Christmas is You” (nothing against Mariah’s seasonal juggernaut, if it’s your preferred Christmas jam we do have it on Merry Christmas / Carey, Mariah).

A wide variety of artists have recorded Christmas albums, the following is just a sampling of what is available at Wellington City Libraries. They range from fairly straightforward collections of seasonal standards to more personal and idiosyncratic affairs, to some which can only be described as very out of the box. Either way, if you’re looking for something to soundtrack your Christmas break, one of these might do the trick!

Ella wishes you a swinging Christmas / Fitzgerald, Ella
Christmas with the Rat Pack
The Christmas collection / Jackson 5
Christmas songs / Krall, Diana
Dr. Demento presents the greatest Christmas novelty CD of all time
Quality Street : a seasonal selection for all the family / Lowe, Nick
Tinsel and lights / Thorn, Tracey
One more drifter in the snow / Mann, Aimee
Christmas party / She & Him