If you follow me on twitter (hint hint, wink wink) you already know I’m a little excited that Christmas music is filling the air!  There’s just something so lovely about songs that bring back childhood memories, have a positive message (except for that whole grandma got run over by a reindeer thing) and that the whole family can get together and sing.  (Is this sounding like a cheesy after school special?)  However, there is definitely a distinction between good Christmas music and that horrible muzak stuff they play in the malls.  I thought today I’d share a few of my favorite Christmas albums so you have a couple weeks to enjoy!

It doesn’t get much better than Diana Krall singing fantastic jazzy arrangements of Christmas favorites. Download for $2.99 on Amazon.

I’m not normally a huge James Taylor fan, but his smooth silky voice was just made to sing Christmas songs.  This album is a great mellow album perfect for background music at your holiday parties.  Pick up a copy here.

Sara Groves has been one of my favorite sing/songwriters for a few years.  Last season she released this Christmas album and it quickly became a favorite.  This album features arrangements in her signature piano driven style and some original compositions as well.  Download or pick up the cd here.

And it wouldn’t be Christmas without Mannheim Steamroller’s intrumental arrangements.  All of their albums are solid and worth a spot in your holiday music rotation, but the Christmas in the Aire album is my personal favorite.  Pick yours up here.