One of the holiday traditions our family most looks forward to is opening each door of an Advent Calendar as we count the days down to Christmas! Inspired by the same tradition, we are excited to announce our own Holiday Music Advent Calendar. Come back to this article each day as we reveal a new music video for each day counting from December 1st to December 25th. Enjoy!
Day 1 – Gayla Peevey “I Want a Hippopatamus for Christmas”
We start our Advent Calendar with Oklahoma City, OK native Gayla Peevey’s classic “I Want a Hippopatamus for Christmas”.
Day 2 – Greg Page “Dominick the Donkey”
From our Italian roots, Dominick the Donkey is one of our holiday favorites and this version from Greg Page (former Yellow Wiggle) is a fun one!
Day 3 – Elizabeth Mitchell “January, February (Last Month of the Year)”
Elizabeth Mitchell’s The Sounding Joy is one of our favorite holiday albums and this track is one of the best on it.
Day 4 – Justin Roberts “Polar Bear”
A twinkly tune that is perfect for the season.
Day 5 – Uncle Dox “Santa”
We just heard this song for the first time today, and let’s just say, it had to be today’s song. Enjoy.
Day 6 – Merle Haggard “Santa Claus and Popcorn”
Growing up, this song was featured on a “Christmas in America” album that we listened to every holiday season. While we never really liked the song, we could never get it out of our head, and still can’t, to this day.
Day 7 – Colbie Caillat “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Colbie Caillat’s cover of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on A Very Special Christmas 7 perfectly captures the spirit of the original with spirit and soul.
Day 8 – Elvis Presley & Martina McBride “Blue Christmas”
Our children love Elvis, even though this is one of the only songs of his they know. This updated version is an impossibly wonderful duet with Elvis and Martina McBride.
Day 9 – L.A.R.D. Dog and the Band of Shy “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer”
This version of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer is an out of this world creature feature like none you’ve heard before.
Day 10 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas “Welcome Christmas”
Our family watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas tonight and so today’s tune is our favorite song, from our favorite Christmas special.
Day 11 – Andrew & Polly “A Mapmaker’s Song”
From Andrew & Polly’s “Other Days” album, “A Mapmaker’s Song” is a wistfully beautiful new holiday classic in the spirit of “I’ll Be Home This Christmas”. If you missed our new VIDEO interview with Andrew & Polly you can check it out here.
Day 12 – Chase Holfelder “All I Want For Christmas”
Chase Holfelder’s cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” is no minor feat. We think you’ll agree that his haunting holiday rock remake is simply awesome.
Day 13 – Bing Crosby/David Bowie “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy”
Two classic voices from different generations created a memorable song for all generations. If you’re looking for a great Christmas gift this holiday season, check out “Let All The Children Boogie:A Tribute to David Bowie” – a truly remarkable new album from Spare the Rock Records.
Day 14 – Relient K “Twelve Days of Christmas”
“What’s a partridge? And what’s a pear tree? Well I don’t know so please don’t ask me.” Enjoy.
Day 15 – Straight No Chaser “Lully Lullay (Coventry Carol)”
There are so many great versions of this timeless song. This stirring a cappella version is from Straight No Chaser’s new album.
Day 16 – Josh Groban “Believe”
All week our 2nd grader has been riding the Polar Express in school and today he made it all the way to the North Pole! To celebrate, here’s Josh Groban and “Believe”
Day 17 – Emily Arrow “The Smallest Gift of Christmas”
Emily Arrow‘s sweet and heartfelt interpretation of Peter Reynolds’ book, “The Smallest Gift of Christmas,” is good reminder about what’s really important this holiday season.
Day 18 – Steve Winwood “Christmas is Now Drawing Near At Hand
Inspired by the amazing performance of A Christmas Carol at the Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City tonight, we selected a song that harkens back to the days of Dickens’ with a message that was true then as it is today.
Day 19 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth”
Put on your dancing shoes and swing into Christmas with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy!
Day 20 – Enya “My! My! Time Flies!”
Our eldest is a big fan of Enya and insisted we include an Enya song in the countdown, and one that was not “Oiche Chiun” (Silent Night). So here’s a song from her “Christmas” album that celebrates like it’s 2010 again.
Day 21 – Laurie Berkner & Brady Rymer “Children Go Where I Send Thee”
Laurie Berkner has recorded many fun and festive Holiday songs and her remake of this traditional carol with Brady Rymer is one of our favorites! Look for our #8isEnoughQuestions with Laurie Berkner on Christmas Eve!
Day 22 – Jewel “O Little Town Of Bethlehem”
We first saw Jewel back in 1995 as one of the opening acts at the 106.5 Weenie Roast festival in Charlotte, NC. Since that concert, she went on to superstardom and released this wonderful version of “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” on her Joy, A Holiday Collection.
Day 23 – Kelly Clarkson “Underneath the Tree”
One of our favorite “modern” Christmas songs!
Day 24 – Pentatonix “Mary Did You Know”
On this Christmas Eve, we picked Pentatonix’s beautiful and powerful rendition of “Mary Did You Know”.
Day 25 – The National Parks & JamesTheMormon “Joy To The World”
“Mankind is a great, an immense family… This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.” – Pope John XXIII
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