Despite the fact that Christmas songs are often overplayed by the time the holidays actually arrive, certain tunes have become associated specifically with the holiday season, and are played as often as they are for a reason.

These songs are well known because they spread a certain type of joy and help instill the spirit of the holiday season in those who listen. The ability to do this is what has made them into such traditional Christmas songs.

Enstars has compiled a list of eight of the best traditional Christmas carols that are the perfect additions to any holiday playlist:

1. Silent Night: This popular German Christmas carol was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr. Covered by several artists over the years, it has become a song with several meanings. It's not only a tune that fits with the core religious aspect of the holiday season, but also speaks to the more commercially-minded set.


2. White Christmas:

This Irving Berlin composed classic about an ideal Christmas setting complete with a blanket of snow outside is one of the few that can inflict peaceful feelings about cold winter weather, usually the bane of the holiday season. It has been popularized by several artists over the years including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts.


3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:

This popular children's song morphed from a 1939 book by Robert L. May is a classic for the holidays because it allows kids to get in the spirit in a way that can appeal to them: by giving them a fun song about Santa's trusty flying companions.


4. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't be Late):

This successful song from 1958 has found commercial success with its fictitious singing group consisting of the infamous Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Another song that can help excite children for the holidays, it appeals to adults who grew up listening to it as well.


5. Jingle Bells:

Despite being written in 1857, this is still one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. Several parodies have formed for the song over the years as well.


6. The Twelve Days of Christmas:

This traditional cumulative song enumerating the increasingly more meaningful gifts in English tradition of the holiday season has had several hilarious parodies made of it, including the infamous Bob Rivers parody, The 12 Pains of Christmas.


7. Winter Wonderland :

The 1934 classic has been recorded by over 150 artists, and is traditionally a winter song, though it is treated now like a Christmas tune. There's also a children's version that replaces the 'Parson Brown' lyric with 'Mister Snowman.'


8. Deck the Halls:

This traditional 1877 carol is a festive treat about the joys of the season.

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Christmas music