Music is one of our favorite things about the holiday season. It not only gets us in the spirit, but taps into one of our most readily available senses — our ability to hear the world around us.

This time of year is filled with countless opportunities to indulge in your sense of sound. Everything from decorating the tree to shopping trips to eating a big meal with family to traveling to new places, offers the chance to savor sounds in a whole new way.

Caroling. Bells. Chatter. Dishes. Footsteps. Snowfall. Rain. Laughter. And music. Always music.

One of my favorite ways to get in the holiday spirit (and light up my ears) is through a great holiday playlist.
I know, I know.
I can hear some of the naysayers out there.
“Ugh, holiday music is sooo overdone.”
“If I hear All I Want for Christmas is You” one more time, I swear . . .”

But guys. It doesn’t have to look like Jingle Bells and Silent Night.
(although personally, I’m a fan).
It doesn’t have to be the likes of Bing Crosby and the Vince Guaraldi Trio who serenede you.

Make your own playlist. What are the sounds of the season that resonate with you?
Maybe it includes Tori Amos. Or Beck. Or Metallica.
Or maybe it’s a collection of indie rock music from the past year.

Whatever your musical preferences, I encourage you to make a holiday playlist this year. And I don’t mean a short little playlist of ten or twenty songs. I personally have about 6.5 hours of holiday music on my playlist. It’s the perfect soundtrack to my winter festivities and totally gets me in the spirit.

This quote by Hunter S. Thompson always reminds me why music is essential food for our soul . . .

“Music has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.”

So, what’s going on your holiday playlist? No matter what you include, take the time to really listen to each and every song. Allow your ears (and your heart) to be opened up by the notes and the words. If you’d like, share your playlist in the comments below. I’m always on the lookout for new, exciting music to add to my collection!

And just in case you’re looking for some serious Christmas tunes, I’ve got the mother of all holiday playlists over on Spotify. You can listen below.

Wishing you a happy (and joyous) holiday season, filled with love, laughter . . . and yes, lots of music!

xo
Steph

Photo via Death to Stock Photo