Modern Christmas songs you like?

[StrawberryBlond 15,057]

I enjoyed the last thread so much, I decided to make a sequel, this time with a positive spin. In my last thread, I said that I'm not a big fan of new Christmas songs, that they're usually trying too hard to be current and trendy and aren't timeless enough, they just seemed aimed at the younger generations and just don't have the magic of the classics. But there are some exceptions. Here's my take on the best modern songs (as in, released after the year 2000):

The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) (released 2003) - It's good to hear a rock and roll Christmas song, a very rare thing. Just about how normal people feel over the holidays and how stuff happens over the season that make us sad but the joy of Christmas brings us through. And yes, there were deliberate double meanings with the title and a lyric about "just let them ring in peace" (if you're not British, you probably won't get it!) that weren't exactly necessary but they're made into such a great sounding song that it's still totally acceptable to play it at any family gathering around relatives!

Leona Lewis - One More Sleep (released in 2013) - It's considered a British classic at this point and it's a crying shame that America hasn't caught on. It's definitely massively inspired by All I Want For Christmas Is You but I personally think it's better. Catchy, well-written and with great vocals, it's probably the best Christmas song of modern times and it remains the song that reminds people of Leona year after year even though she was let down by Simon Cowell years ago. Her other original song, Your Hallelujah, about remembering loved ones who have passed on at Christmas, is also lovely.

Meghan Trainor - Christmas Party (released in 2020) - It's just a basic Christmas bop but if it's about being happy with your family, I'm all for it, especially as it eschews the traditional Christmas song themes. It's cheesy and all but it makes me smile.

Perrie Edwards - Christmas Magic (released in 2024) - As it was a promo single with no promotion, I don't think a lot of people heard its greatness. Another attempt at being Mariah but not too much and deals with the festivities in a classy way unlike a lot of other Christmas songs that aim to be goofy. 

So what are your modern standards?

[NUTELLA 15,800]

I'm half-joking... but I annoyed the living **** out of people with this song a few years ago.

Once it's in your head, it stays there 🎄

[skaxboy 6,086]

It’s such a fun song to me. lol. 
 

 

It’s probably like 1997 but this song is a slapper!

 

[Monstermilo 5,181]

santa tell me is the new AIWFCIY

[Grissem 58]

Melanie Thornton - Wonderful Dream (2001) is one of my favourite christmas songs. So sad she never got to see how successfull that song would become

[KevinWright 1,672]

I really like that song because it's very true to Dido's sound. 

 

[princedeeblebleble 2,341]

All the original Kylie songs, they are all so brilliant in so many different ways, from poptastic songs, the melanch ones, the jazzy ones.. so many brilliant Xmas versions. 

[vanna shintuyu 11,311]

 

 

[Omegahedron 235]

Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson.

Tbh it feels like it was trying to ape Mariah, but because that song is played to absolute death (honestly you hear it multiple times a day at the moment) I actually prefer it. It's a charming sort of song, upbeat, and has an unmistakable Christmas feel with the bells.

[vanna shintuyu 11,311]

3 minutes ago, Omegahedron said:

Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson.

Tbh it feels like it was trying to ape Mariah, but because that song is played to absolute death (honestly you hear it multiple times a day at the moment) I actually prefer it. It's a charming sort of song, upbeat, and has an unmistakable Christmas feel with the bells.

That's pretty much the only one that came to mind for me too. Granted I haven't listened to very many because they tend to have a hokey-ness and don't have much replay value, but I probably listen to this more than AIWFCIY around Christmas as well as other times of year

Edited December 20, 2025 by vanna shintuyu

[huttont 5,526]

Ingrid Michaelsons is hands down my favorite Christmas album. It’s a perfect mix of classics and originals. Looks Like A Cold, Cold Winter is so good. Happy Happy Christmas makes me sob bc it’s about her mom who passed away. Christmas Valentine is so cute, 

Not a Christmas song per se, but Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles Winter Song.

Present Without A Bow - Kacey Musgraves

Glittery - Kacey Musgraves and Troye Sivan

Both of Kelly Clarksons Christmas albums - Winter Dreams, 4 Carats, Glow, Under The Mistletoe, Christmas Eve

Christmas Tree Farm - TS

Merry Margarita - DJ Five Venoms, Amber Noel

The Holidays With You - Sara Watkins

Kissin Christmas - Bobby Vinton album is so important to me bc it’s my moms favorite and we played it every year while decorating our tree growing up. 

[Head Empty 25,580]

This is so camp but such a bop:

[Bronco 15,177]

One More Sleep by Leona Lewis

[RochesterJoannster 3,603]

I am so old for remembering ten year old me struggling to be able to listen to AIWFCIY in 1997, and I couldn’t find it at my local Walmart which at the time meant I was screwed lol. (I grew up in the country) It would come on the radio but not like it does now. It had been out for a few years at this point.

Now that song is inescapable, and has been for many years. 

Edited December 20, 2025 by RochesterJoannster

[Roughhouse Dandy 12,348]

Not a fan of most Christmas songs but this one's a moody little sleigh 

Edited December 20, 2025 by Roughhouse Dandy