Songs for Christmas

Earlier this week, I wrote about my favorite Christmas jams, the happy ones I listen to privately all year round. But I also know that sometimes Christmas is the time to putter around the house, flop around listlessly on the couch, bemoan the fact that Colin Firth isn't flying to Portugal for me, and get misty when I think how I'll never personally know General Waverly. Sometimes Christmas is the time to hang out in an alluring outfit of sweatpants and a cashmere sweater with a big hole in the armpit, forget how much I actually hate "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (because it's about coercion!), and wait for the snow to fall.  If you have feelings like these, too, or you're just tired out from jumping around the house to Darlene Love, here's a list for you.

I wish I had one of these for you to snuggle with while you listen, too, come to think of it.




Rather recreate the playlist on your own? A track listing follows after the jump.

A Christmas List For You From Marlo Junior

It's getting awfully festive in here.

Let's be real: I started listening to Christmas music in mid-November. Sometimes I even listen to Sufjan Stevens' impeccable first installment of "Songs for Christmas" in the summertime, just for a moment, when I  need a pick-me-up. And I can't help it if Phil Spector really outdid himself on his "A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector" album. "Marshmallow World" will be my earworm 'til I die.

Now that I don't have to make excuses for my listening habits, though, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite peppy Christmas tunes. I listen to these while fussing with my decorations, getting ready in the morning, or -- most often -- picking Albright up by the front paws to make her dance with me. (She finds this less humiliating than the reindeer antler hat she wore in our 2010 Christmas card, so she bears it nobly.)   A collection of slow jams will follow soon. For now, turn up your dial and prance around!



 A full track listing follows after the jump.