This past week, I took a trip to my local Christmas tree farm with my boyfriend and picked up our first tree together. When we got home, I immediately shouted, “Hey Google, Play Christmas Songs from Frank Sinatra”, and it got me thinking, what would the holidays be like without our favorite music? As we begin creating new traditions together, I am seeing that music is at the center of them all. Nostalgia flooded my mind of the traditions I had growing up that were fueled by music: watching It’s a Wonderful Life, listening to our neighborhood carolers, and candle lit “Silent Night” Christmas Eve services.

During the holidays, no matter how you celebrate or what your beliefs may be, music is almost always at the center of the celebration. According to Thomas Riis, musicologist and director of the American Music Research Center in the University of Colorado at Boulder's College of Music,

“The music of the holiday season is a kind of deep well that many performers, many families and many individuals, of whatever faith and background, will continue to dip into in the years to come.”

In honor of new and old traditions throughout the Holidays, the team at Precious Sound has created a round up of our favorite music moments and traditions. Whether you are creating new traditions with your loved ones, or are in need of some fresh ways of connecting to that holiday spirit - this list will give you all the inspiration you’ll need.

Ursina

Favorite Holiday Movie?

Love Actually, particularly the Colin Firth and little drummer boy plot lines! We also have a family tradition of watching James Bond after opening our presents on Christmas!

Favorite Holiday Album?

Nat King Cole’s Christmas Favorites. Bing Crosby comes in a close second.

Favorite Holiday Tradition?

Baking traditional Swiss Christmas cookies, my favorite are Spitzbuebe. There are also hazel nut-based cookies that literally translate into Dead Man’s Bones because they are a bit hard to chew! 

Favorite Holiday Song?

Dominick the Donkey (a local New York Christmas song). In general I have a spot for all the ones about a Christmas hero, and my philology interest makes me adore Mele Kalikimaka and Feliz Navidad as well!

Mark

Favorite Holiday Movie?

Home Alone – I have watched this with my kids every Xmas Holiday! 

Favorite Holiday Album?

Michael Buble - Christmas!

Favorite Holiday Tradition?

When we woke up as kids, we waited for parents to wake up too so we could open our presents from Santa. My Mum would also put the song It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas on as we were unwrapping Santa's gifts, and I have now continued this tradition with my children.

Favorite Holiday Song?

Pogues Fairytale of New York

Steffi

Favorite Holiday Movie?

Little Lord Fauntleroy – A British movie from 1980 that became a Christmas classic on German television and has been shown their broadcast network Das Erste almost annually, attracting millions of viewers every time!

Favorite Holiday Album?

Anything Bing Crosby!

Favorite Holiday Tradition?

Every morning leading up to Christmas, my husband and dog and I open a door of the Christmas advent calendar! We have added treats for each other and for our dog in each door! 

Favorite Holiday Song?

White Christmas - Bing Crosby version!

Olivia

Favorite Holiday Movie?

The Holiday! I love the sweet story line and the soundtrack behind the whole movie is to die for, a top favorite from Hans Zimmer and Heitor Pereira!

Favorite Holiday Album?

Simply Christmas, Leslie Odom Jr. He played Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway and may have one of the best voices in the music industry.

Favorite Holiday Tradition?

Christmas Eve in general has always been a favorite, we go to an early candle lit Christmas Eve service and sing Silent Night, have an amazing dinner with family, and get pajamas that magically appear under our pillows - even as adults!

Favorite Holiday Song?

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra

Michaella

Favorite Holiday Movie?

An easy choice, Miracle on 34th Street!

Favorite Holiday Album?

Sufjan Stevens, Songs for Christmas

Favorite Holiday Tradition?

I am 35, and I still buy my brother some sort of crazy toy every Christmas. Highlights of the past few years include: tabletop ski ball, rock-em-sock-em robots, and laser tag!

Favorite Holiday Song?

Frank Sinatra's  "Jingle Bells"!

Want to hear all of our favorite Holiday songs in one place? Scan this code on Spotify or click this link to listen to our Precious Sound Holiday Playlist!