There is no other sure sign that it's acceptable to celebrate Christmas than the very first time you hear Mariah Carey's unmistakeable warbling to 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'. As soon as those high notes hit your ears, it is officially time to get excited for the holidays, stick The Grinch on repeat and say 'hell yes' to every invitation of Christmas drinks.
So crank up the volume and sing like no one is listening (or the colleague who sits across from you isn't giving you the evils) 'cos our definitive list of our fave festive hits of all time is the only Christmas playlist you need.
1. Last Christmas
WHAM's festive heartbreak hit with the video that always hits us in the heart makes you want to scream 'It's OK George, you can do so much better. Hey, I'll look after you.'
2. All I Want For Christmas Is You
All hail Mariah Carey - the original sexy Mrs Claus. This tune will never get old and neither will that puffy bright red snow suit.
3. Do They Know It's Christmas?
Arguably the most famous charity Christmas single of all time! Bob Geldof is a hero for rallying together the biggest stars of the Eighties which included: George Michael, Boy George and Bananarama for the original Band Aid single in 1984. They raised one hell of a total for the cause too, and it still holds a firm spot on our Christmas playlist 32 years on.
4. Merry Christmas Everyone
Don't pretend you're too young to appreciate this feel-good Shaking Steven's tune.
5. Fairytale of New York
If you don't know every word to this much-loved Pogues song, do you really even know Christmas?! Kirsty MacColl's angry crooning is really something to behold. SLEIGH girl.
6. Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)
Noughties rock band The Darkness gave us this warbly offering in 2003 (can you believe it's been that long!?) with a flamboyant vid to boot. Not gonna lie, lead singer Justin still gives us major hair goals with that mane all these years later.
7. The Power of Love
This Frankie Goes To Hollywood hit gets forgotten way too much in my opinion. I may be biased but this is my fave Christmas song. Yes it's a bit slushy but the lyrics are all about coming together and loving one another, and what else is Christmas really for, eh?
8. Wonderful Christmas Time
Ding dong, ding dong, this is a super catchy track filled with Christmas cheer - we can always rely on Paul McCartney's crooning to get us in the festive mood.
9. Driving Home for Christmas
Is there any better feeling than when you finally finish work for Christmas, racing out of the office to start your journey home for the holidays? The answer is of course not, it's the best damn feeling in the world! For that reason alone, this Chris Rea track deserves its place on this list.
10. Stay Another Day
Oh how my heart pines for the days of the Nineties boyband. Those haircuts, those cringe AF dance moves, THOSE FUR COATS. Yep, it's fair to say everything about this East 17 song has us pining for our teenage years and simpler times.
11. I Wish It Could Be Christmas EveryDay
Wizzard with the big voices and even bigger beards, crooning along to this catchy tune makes our Christmas every year. The ultimate party starter, cos who doesn't wish it could be Christmas every day, aye?
12. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
This iconic John Lennon song never fails to rile up some Christmas spirit, even in the biggest of Scrooges.
13. Merry Xmas Everybody
This infamous 1973 hit by Slade is still just as catchy today as it was when it was released. With its feel good beat, asking us to question what we'd do if we caught our mum kissing Santa Claus AND its poignant message to look to the future, this is a classic Christmas tune.
14. Step Into Christmas
Anything Elton John touches turns into gold, and the same goes for this funk festive hit. *sigh* I wish I could play the piano like that.
15. Mistletoe & Wine
Cliff Richard, AKA every Nan's (including mine) ultimate heartthrob reminds us what the best thing about Christmas really is: WINE.
16. Stop The Calvary
Based around not being able to make it home from the war for Christmas, this is a bit of a sad one. I mean, if Jona Laurie singing the line 'I wish I was at home for Christmas' doesn't get you just a teeny bit emosh, then your heart could be colder than Frosty the snowman.
17. Santa Baby
Our fave pint-sized Aussie Kylie Minogue showed her cheeky side for this saucy number, asking Santa for a yacht amongst other luxury gifts. If you love an innuendo, this is for you.
18. Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord
Boney M rocking along to this slower, but just as festive, track makes for perfect listening for when all the family are cosy together round the Christmas dinner table.
19. Warm This Winter
Although potentially not as famous as some others on this list, the festive feel of 'Sweet About Me' singer Gabriella Climi (remember her?) makes it a firm favourite in the SoFem office every year.
20. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The lyrics to this classic Christmas tune never fail to make us feel bad for misbehaving every year. Everyone from Justin Bieber to Michael Bublé has covered it in the 46 years since its original release.
21. Winter Wonderland
This Bing Crosby track makes us feel all fuzzy inside year after year and also makes me wish I actually did live in a winter wonderland.
22. Lonely This Christmas
Did anyone else spend their childhood thinking Elvis sung this? No? Oh, just me then. It's actually by a singer called Mud and it screams rockabilly blues vibes.
23. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Proving they have always defined #relationshipgoals, Mel & Kim's corny tongue-in-cheek video for this festive favourite still makes us laugh no matter how many times we've seen it. Call me childish but the pull a cracker joke never gets old either.
What's your favourite Christmas tune? Let us know @soFeminineUK
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