If the thought of hearing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” one more time has you on the road to a “Blue Christmas” – or making you see Santa-suit red – you’ve come to the right place. We dug deep into the gazillion holiday ditties out there to pluck out some alternative jams that give the holidays a different angle – and are still appropriate to spin around the kids (no small feat). So, Mariah, put your pining on pause … and Wham!, let’s just leave “Last Christmas” in the past. Here are our fave family-friendly picks for something a bit different this year.
Do you have any off-the-beaten-track holiday songs your family loves? What would you add? Let us know in the comments below!
“Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones
This late-’80s punk tune captures every parent’s fondest wish – no holiday squabbles.
“Candy Cane Children” by The White Stripes
Detroit’s rock duo dishes up a gravelly, garage-rock tune with a hint of holiday.
“The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler
The comedian’s clean acoustic ditty for the Jewish holiday first hit SNL in 1994.
“River” by Joni Mitchell
If you’re looking for a wistful, wintry ballad, this sweet 1971 song gets it done.
“Imagine” by John Lennon
A great tune for a new year – and a welcome break from “Happy Xmas/War is Over.”
“Sleigh Ride” by TLC
In 1992, these R&B ladies made this carol all their own for Home Alone 2.
“I Want an Alien for Christmas” by Fountains Of Wayne
It’s the Stranger Things of holiday jingles, delivered by some late-’90s geek rockers.
“Christmas Island” by Jimmy Buffett
The King of Somewhere Hot captures doing holidays differently than we do in Michigan.
“What’s This?” from The Nightmare Before Christmas
If you really just prefer Halloween – you know who you are – Jack Skellington’s got you.
“Santa Claws is Coming to Town” by Alice Cooper
Another Detroit native makes our cut with his distinctively metal-ized cover.
“Holiday” by Madonna
Homegirl’s 1983 pop jam captures all the celebration with none of the Christmas.
Be a rebel this holiday season with our Holiday Gift Guide, plus update your holiday decor. Click the images below for more details.
