The Atlantic

6 min read

Since publishing its first issue in 1857, The Atlantic has marked 160 Christmases. Contributors,  by dint of the magazine’s New England and Christian roots, made a point each year to memorialize the birth of Jesus and the many traditions celebrating

People

2 min read

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood, 37—mom to sons Isaiah, 5, and Jacob, 1, with her husband, former hockey pro Mike Fisher, 40—kicked off the holiday season with her first Christmas album, My Gift, and stars in her own HBO Max holiday music sp

Chicago Tribune

3 min read

'Tis the season to be judgmental, so let me say this: The way you decorate for Christmas is weird. I don't care for it and, frankly, I'm not sure what you were thinking. You're likely asking what in the name of properly decked halls makes me the arbi

Dish

1 min read

Kool & The Gang Celebration / Th’ Dudes Bliss /Mariah Carey All I Want For Christmas Is You /The Pogues (feat. Kirsty MacColl) Fairytale of New York /Run-D.M.C. Christmas in Hollis / Sam Smith Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas / The Wellington I

Los Angeles Times

5 min read

Who'd have guessed more than 50 years ago when actor William Shatner brought Capt. James T. Kirk so vividly to life and helped turn "Star Trek" into a cultural touchstone that the show's famous "final frontier" might turn out to be ... Christmas musi

Los Angeles Times

6 min read

The spirit of inspiration runs stronger than usual through this year's batch of new holiday music collections, with fresh melodies and lyrics in some of the best. Veteran country singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, Oklahoma recent arrival JD McPherson,

NPR

1 min read

The Tiny Desk concert series is old enough to have some traditions of its own. Here are five of our favorite holiday performances from over the years.

Futurity

1 min read

Love it or hate it, there’s no escaping it: From Thanksgiving to Christmas, the songs of the season are everywhere. Coffee shops, grocery stores, and entire radio stations dedicated to holiday songs make it seem like sleigh bells are endlessly ringin

The Atlantic

5 min read

Many families who opt out of buying stuff are coming up with creative alternatives and new traditions.

The Atlantic

6 min read

Long before “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” holiday songs played a part in the War on Christmas.

Los Angeles Times

6 min read

This year's bounty of holiday albums includes offerings from pop music heavyweights such as Sia, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Reba McEntire, 98 Degrees and veteran rockers Cheap Trick. But don't let familiar names prompt you to overlook rewarding new albu

Goldmine

4 min read

We start with a vinyl bonanza, courtesy of Legacy Recordings, which is issuing a treasure trove of goodies. A must have is A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records, featuring Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” and other holiday

NPR

4 min read

It's not fair that Christmas "becomes this embodiment where we as a people project all of this expectation and hope on this one day," says songwriter Kirby Brown. So he wrote a song about it.

The Independent

7 min read

Christmas has always been complicated for Chilly Gonzales. “I feel a bit oppressed by it,” the pianist and producer says. “The forced smile, the entire capitalist dream that we’re being sold.” His unease with the season of good cheer extends to festi

Nashville Lifestyles Magazine

5 min read

Carrie Underwood knows the world needs more than a little Christmas right now. Luckily, she planned ahead, recording her first holiday album, My Gift early in 2020. These days, the album has taken on new meaning for Underwood and for her fans. “We g

NPR

1 min read

In the first song on its holiday album, Halftime For The Holidays, the Seattle pop-punk band debates buying an ex a present, drinks too much punch and can't just walk away.

NPR

1 min read

The country star thought it "would be a fun way to bring my old Christmas album back in the form of those old Christmas specials that we love."

Nashville Lifestyles Magazine

4 min read

For many people it’s the most wonderful time of the year, whether that’s because of family or faith. For others, it’s the lights. No matter if you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or some combination thereof (or none at all), it’s hard to deny

MATCH

1 min read

How excited are you? ROORD SAYS: “Definitely a ten out of ten! Living away from family is tough sometimes, so I always look forward to the holidays to be around my family and friends!” Do you like Xmas music? ROORD SAYS: “I love Christmas music! My f

The English Home

4 min read

The most enchanting Christmas experiences come from celebrations filled with personal resonance. This meaningful warmth is encapsulated in sentimental memories, such as watching the childrens’ eyes light up as they listen to stories of Father Christm

Homes & Gardens

1 min read

When it comes to my Christmas Day menu, I’m a classic girl at heart. I’ll have my signature Prosecco-brined turkey breast with Brussels sprouts and speck (above right) and glossy glazed ham on the table. Cloudy Bay makes my favourite pinot so that’s

Metal Hammer UK

1 min read

LEGACY The Metal God gets into the festive mood IF YOUR FIRST reaction on seeing this was, “Gah! Another metal Christmas album? Bah humbug!” then move along; there’s nothing here for you. But yes, this is another metal Christmas album, released by th

Mornings with Jesus

1 min read

HOW DO YOU DECORATE your house for Christmas? I wish I could tell you that my wife and I deck the halls with boughs of holly and colored lights and mistletoe, but I confess I often find the mere prospect of Christmas so overwhelming—scrolling through

MEGA

5 min read

Discreet isn’t usually the term used to describe how Filipinos celebrate the holidays. No, we like to be grand, over the top. Our champagne must come with sparklers, the food more than we can handle. We’re also loud—from the decorations to the carols

Unique Cars Australia

1 min read

THE GOOD folks in our new and improved subscriptions department are offering a red hot deal, which includes 13 issues of Unique Cars magazine delivered directly to your door for just $89! That’s a massive 30 percent saving and makes for a great Chris

Scoop

3 min read

Chris Young works as a children’s specialist for Golden Hare Books, an independent bookshop based in Edinburgh – this involves trying out all sorts of ways to get kids into reading. She also works as a part-time librarian, doing a similar job! She ha

Entertainment Weekly

1 min read

Star Trek icon William Shatner discusses teaming up with Iggy Pop and Henry Rollins, among others, for his new holiday album, Shatner Claus.

NPR

2 min read

Hear stories of the season told through music interviews from the NPR archives, including talks with Sting, Amy Grant, Jon Batiste and more.

The Atlantic

4 min read

A list of the music we're least excited about hearing this month—and a meditation on what makes it so irritating

The Christian Science Monitor

12 min read

A dive into venerable old writings can add to the warmth of the holiday hearth. Even more so when they’re read aloud.