I’ve been trying to put myself into the holiday spirit all week, so I finally sat down and started listening to all my favorite seasonal songs. It seemed to work because now I’m all Christmas-y and singing songs about snowmen and jolly fat elves. As soon as I publish this, I’m going to pop in “Nightmare Before Christmas”, make some hot chocolate for myself and the boy, and plug in my Christmas tree. Go me.

And while I love – nay, adore – my traditional songs, there’s a special place in my heart for indie holiday songs, as well. And since the season is all about giving, I thought I’d share some of my favorites.

And don’t be a Christmas music snob and turn your nose up. Try the songs…you may just find a new favorite or two. Make sure to come back on Monday when I post all of my favorite traditional songs.

As always: Listen…enjoy…download…purchase…wash…rinse…repeat.

You know the rules:

- DO NOT STREAM!
- Right Click/Save Target As.
- Files will stay up for 24 hours and then they’re gone forever. Please delete these from your computer. Don’t want the “Music Nazis” after you do ya?
- If you like the music, purchase the CDs! Keep the music flowing people.
- A bloody “thank you” would be nice.

Right. Learn it. Know it. Live it.

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Catherine MacLellan – Snow Day / Purchase CD
Technically not a Christmas song, but every word makes me ache for the West Virginia winters of my youth. It’s always hard for me this time of year; I go through a seasonal depression because of the warm weather and absence of snow and ice. If I close my eyes and listen to this song, I can remember – with perfect clarity- every snowflake and the wonderful enchanting sound of them falling and hitting the white blanket on the ground. Lovely.

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Colbie Caillat – Mistletoe / Purchase CD
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the music lover on your list, then I recommend The Hotel Café presents… Winter Songs. It’s a beautiful collection of winter songs from some impressive Indie sirens like Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, Brandi Carlile, and Lenka, among others. “Mistletoe” was released last holiday season, but it made it onto Winter Songs. I’m not the biggest Colbie Caillat fan in the world, but this is definitely a new holiday favorite.

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Jimmy Eat World – Last Christmas / Purchase CD
About five years ago I discovered “Music from the O.C. Mix 3: Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah”. I can really only ever claim to watching a handful of episodes, and I’m not what you would call a fan, but holy crap was the soundtrack (all of them actually!) good. It was full of awesome Christmas covers by Indie bands and it’s remained a favorite every year since. I’ve heard a lot of covers of this Wham hit, but nobody does it better than Jimmy Eat World.

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Leona Naess – Christmas / Purchase CD
Another track from the O.C. Christmas soundtrack, and my favorite from the release. Leona Naess’s voice on “Christmas” is so beautiful and breathy. I’ve been a fan since 2000’s “Charm Attack” and it’s always miffed me that she’s so underrated and underplayed. She consistently puts out good music that no-one ever hears. Shame. I hate American radio.

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Lex Land – River
No-one will ever beat Janis Joplin’s classic, but this is a great cover. I wish I had a purchase link for you guys, but I can’t find one, though I believe you can get it through iTunes.

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Sarah McLachlan – Song for a Winter’s Night / Purchase CD
Sarah McLachlan’s “Wintersong”, a collection of winter/Christmas songs, is one of those timeless favorites that people will still be listening to 100 years from now. Her lush, angelic voice is pristine in every single track, particularly in this Gordon Lightfoot cover.

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The Bird and the Bee – Carol of the Bells / Purchase CD
This was my ring tone for the whole of last holiday season. This has always been one of my favorite traditional holiday songs, but the Bird and the Bee really made it their own. And here’s a bit of musical trivia for you guys. Inara George, the “bird” of The Bird and the Bee, is the daughter of the late Lowell George, founder of the classic rock band Little Feat. So there you go. That could win you $1,000,000 on Jeopardy one of these days. You’re welcome.

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Jack Johnson – Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer / Purchase CD
A lot of people turn their noses up at Jack Johnson. They see him as fluffy and a sell-out. I’m not one of those people. I adore him – always have. And he can sing one heck of a Christmas song. I highly recommend This Warm December: A Brushfire Holiday Vol.1. It’s a fantastic Christmas CD with artists from Jack’s Brushfire Records label.