The Adam Sandler "Hannukah" song.

Father Christmas by The Kinks. (great tune about some street urchins who mug Santa Claus.)

James Brown's Funky Christmas album ain't half bad either.

The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars (this is a real band featuring the sax player from Galactic and is endorsed by John Popper of Blues Traveler.)

And, of "legit" Xmas tunes "Xmas Baby Please Come Home" (both the original and U2's cover thereof) is a fine song no matter what one's religious persuasion.

Just heard this one today and forgot how much I used to like it LOL

I’ll have a blue christmas without you
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green christmas tree
Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
That’s when those blue memories start calling
You’ll be doin’ all right, with your christmas of white
But I’ll have a blue, blue blue blue christmas
Thank you, Elvis

I sang along with Elvis on the radio this morning on the way to work, Scarlett.

Has anyone heard the Il Divo Christmas CD? Oh my gosh, this is the most amazing group of young men that you could ever hear. This is a group of men from different parts of the world that Simon Cowell (from Amer. Idol) put together. Please do yourself a favor and just listen to it -- guaranteed you'll buy it and play it over and over and over and over and over and over. It really is beautiful music -- their voices (particularly for being relatively young) are absolutely astounding, and the orchestration is phenomenol. Enjoy -- and I will be anxiously awaiting your comments. Thanks.

Trans Siberian Orchesta I think it's called Christmas Stories?

I haven't seen a mention yet of Kathy Mattea's CD, "Good News". She is a country singer, but this CD is music for all tastes: totally beautiful and original. Please try to find it and listen.

I love many of the CD's already mentioned (Kathy Mattea's, Mannheim Steamroller), but would like to add the following CD's that I play over and over and over this time of year.

** The Christmas Album by Manhatten Transfer

** Ultimate Christmas - a compilation album - mostly classic songs sung by the artists who made them famous (including Blue Christmas by Elvis!) but my fave on this album is On a Winter's Night by Sarah MacLaughlin (sp?)

And the CD I recommend to everyone because noone has ever heard of it ....

Night Before Christmas by the Sounds of Blackness - This CD is a mix of lovely, inspiring gospel songs and hip, somewhat irreverant soul/rap songs. Even has a song about dancing chitlins! I know that it sounds like an odd mix, but I LOVE this CD.

Marie, I have the Evolution of Gospel by the Sounds of Blackness but, you're right, I didn't know about their Christmas cd so thank you!

Have to chime in on this one...(pardon the pun).

Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas is one I can listen to over and over. I also love my Otmar Leibert Poets and Angels. It's a great instrumental. Lastly, I've been really replaying my Al Green Christmas CD. His version of "O Holy Night" just makes me shiver!

Happy Holidays.

Natalie Cole's Holly and Ivy.

SandyP's post reminded me of something which happened to me about a month ago. I was in the CLT airport making a connection. The place was a madhouse. There was an elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair at the gate. I noticed a man, heavily tatooed, ball cap with flames on it,all black clothing save the hat, huge muscles, I admit a bit scary looking. He walked over to the elderly woman and spoke to her so gently and sweetly it was touching. Then he turned to me and greeted me. I was astonished when I realized he was Aaron Neville. He was carrying his own luggage, no posse, and completely unaffected. Now that is my kind of star!