10 Classic Christmas Albums

Holiday party essentials? Definitely.

Chestnuts Roasting on an Old-School Fire - Now that we’ve made it to the holidays, it’s time to chill. There’s nothing like putting on a great Christmas album and doing Christmas-y things like ignoring your family and other festive things. These classic albums will hold you up during this magical time of year. —Jon Reyes(Photos from left: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images for ETAM, CBS /Landov, Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)

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Chestnuts Roasting on an Old-School Fire - Now that we’ve made it to the holidays, it’s time to chill. There’s nothing like putting on a great Christmas album and doing Christmas-y things like ignoring your family and other festive things. These classic albums will hold you up during this magical time of year. —Jon Reyes(Photos from left: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images for ETAM, CBS /Landov, Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)

Various Artists, A Motown Christmas (1973) - The best of the best all together. This is an all-comprehensive summary that you have to listen to if only for Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas.”(Photo: Motown Records)

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Various Artists, A Motown Christmas (1973) - The best of the best all together. This is an all-comprehensive summary that you have to listen to if only for Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas.”(Photo: Motown Records)

Jackson 5, Christmas Album (1970) - Perfect for wanting to get your full dose of the Jackson 5. Michael’s adorable factor is all the way at 10 on here. Just peep “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”(Photo: Motown Records)

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Jackson 5, Christmas Album (1970) - Perfect for wanting to get your full dose of the Jackson 5. Michael’s adorable factor is all the way at 10 on here. Just peep “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”(Photo: Motown Records)

Luther Vandross, This Is Christmas (1995) - It’s interesting that none of these have become Christmas classics considering Luther’s incredible voice. “O’Come All Ye Faithful” is definitely a must-hear dark horse.(Photo: Sony)

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Luther Vandross, This Is Christmas (1995) - It’s interesting that none of these have become Christmas classics considering Luther’s incredible voice. “O’Come All Ye Faithful” is definitely a must-hear dark horse.(Photo: Sony)

The Supremes, Merry Christmas (1965) - A gem of a Christmas album that has all of the original Supremes: Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. It’s a brilliant collection of songs and Ross’s vocals do them all so much justice. The big you-can’t-miss is their version of “Christmas Tree.”(Photo: Motown Records)

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The Supremes, Merry Christmas (1965) - A gem of a Christmas album that has all of the original Supremes: Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. It’s a brilliant collection of songs and Ross’s vocals do them all so much justice. The big you-can’t-miss is their version of “Christmas Tree.”(Photo: Motown Records)

Photo By Photo: Motown Records

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James Brown, A Soulful Christmas (1968) - The star on this album, without question, is “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” "Tit for Tat (Ain't No Taking Back)" doesn’t fall behind. With instrumentation woven in, and produced by James himself, this is an obvious classic.(Photo: King Records)

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James Brown, A Soulful Christmas (1968) - The star on this album, without question, is “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” "Tit for Tat (Ain't No Taking Back)" doesn’t fall behind. With instrumentation woven in, and produced by James himself, this is an obvious classic.(Photo: King Records)

Photo By Photo: King Records

Patti LaBelle, This Christmas (1990) - Hard to believe that this was Patti’s first Christmas album. It’s a total '90s affair, but nothing is as timeless as Patti’s voice itself.(Photo: MCA)

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Patti LaBelle, This Christmas (1990) - Hard to believe that this was Patti’s first Christmas album. It’s a total '90s affair, but nothing is as timeless as Patti’s voice itself.(Photo: MCA)

Various Artists, Christmas on Death Row (1995) - You really haven’t lived until you’ve listened to this album while getting ready for Christmas dinner. You got Snoop Dogg rapping hilarious lines, “All I want for Christmas is my 6-4 Chevrolet,” but Danny Boy brings some real singing to the table with his version of “The Christmas Song.” Oh yeah, and Nate Dogg on “Be Thankful”? Go cop this now.(Photo: Death Row Records)

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Various Artists, Christmas on Death Row (1995) - You really haven’t lived until you’ve listened to this album while getting ready for Christmas dinner. You got Snoop Dogg rapping hilarious lines, “All I want for Christmas is my 6-4 Chevrolet,” but Danny Boy brings some real singing to the table with his version of “The Christmas Song.” Oh yeah, and Nate Dogg on “Be Thankful”? Go cop this now.(Photo: Death Row Records)

Photo By Photo: Death Row Records

Bootsy Collins, Christmas Is 4ever (2006) - Yes, Bootsy Collins has a Christmas album and it’s a freaky funk party. “Merry Christmas Baby” should probably be the first thing to hear. Please, don't miss this line: “I haven’t had a drink this morning but I’m all lit up like a Christmas tree. Hey Mona, pass the Corona.”(Photo: Shout Factory)

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Bootsy Collins, Christmas Is 4ever (2006) - Yes, Bootsy Collins has a Christmas album and it’s a freaky funk party. “Merry Christmas Baby” should probably be the first thing to hear. Please, don't miss this line: “I haven’t had a drink this morning but I’m all lit up like a Christmas tree. Hey Mona, pass the Corona.”(Photo: Shout Factory)

Photo By Photo: Shout Factory

Nat King Cole, The Magic of Christmas (1960) - Sadly, Nat King Cole’s first and only pure Christmas album doesn’t have the classic “The Christmas Song.” It’s also a collector's item since it’s only available on vinyl. But a modern collection from 2009 exists called The Christmas Song.(Photo: Capitol Records)

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Nat King Cole, The Magic of Christmas (1960) - Sadly, Nat King Cole’s first and only pure Christmas album doesn’t have the classic “The Christmas Song.” It’s also a collector's item since it’s only available on vinyl. But a modern collection from 2009 exists called The Christmas Song.(Photo: Capitol Records)

Photo By Photo: Capitol Records

Ray Charles, The Spirit of Christmas (1985) - This is Charles’s version of Christmas traditionals and it’s breathtaking. It’s everything that made him so great: an insane voice and his ability to make Soul music out of any genre.(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Ray Charles, The Spirit of Christmas (1985) - This is Charles’s version of Christmas traditionals and it’s breathtaking. It’s everything that made him so great: an insane voice and his ability to make Soul music out of any genre.(Photo: Columbia Records)