The most wonderful time of the year comes with an unfortunate downside: repetitive and annoying holiday music. To avoid headaches, here are our top picks for not-so annoying holiday songs across multiple genres.

Indie Music: Indie music is independent music, from artists not associated with labels. The genre has also widened to include a specific sound – chill and alternative. Here are our suggestions:

• White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes
• Christmas Song – Phoebe Bridgers
• Christmas in the Room – Sufjan Stevens
• Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming – Sufjan Stevens
• Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!) – Peach Pit
• I Believe in Santa Claus – Dr. Dog
• Al Hanisim – Kaley Halperin

Rock/Metal Music: Combining the usually cheery and light sound of holiday music with the “hard” or “dark” tones of rock and metal music produces an interesting genre. Here are some recommendations: 

• Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Today) – Ramones
• For Whom the Bell Tolls – Metallica
• Winter Wonderland – Ozzy Osbourne and Jessica Simpson
• Happy Xmas (War is Over) – John Lennon
• Thank God It’s Christmas – Queen
• Mistress for Christmas – AC/DC
• Cry Christmas – Mother Mother

Jazz Music: The iconic sounds of jazz, swing, and big band add color and life to the repetitive music you may be used to hearing during the holiday season.

• Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (Album) – Ella Fitzgerald
• Linus and Lucy – Vince Guaraldi Trio
• Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah – Boilermaker Jazz Band
• Dreidel Song – Hendelman Tamir
• Oh Hanukkah – Eyah Vilner Big Band
• O Little Town of Bethlehem – Oscar Peterson

Spanish/Latin: Latin beats and artists give us lively and flavorful remixes of beloved holiday songs. Here are our top picks:

• Hacia Belen va una Burra Rin Rin – Gaby Moreno
• Blanca Navidad – Matisse (ft. Arthur Hanlon)
• Feliz Navidad – Michael Buble y Thalia
• Navidad Sin Ti – Los Disidentes
• Winter Wonderland (Llego la Navidad) – Emmanuel, Paul Anka

Country/Folk music: Your favorite country artists cover classic Christmas songs:

• Hard Candy Christmas – Dolly PartonWinter
• Wonderland/Sleigh Ride – Dolly Parton
• Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You) – Kelly Clarkson
• Take Me Home For Christmas – Dan + Shay
• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Alex Hall

Honorable Mention: Carol of the Bells

This classic carol is recognizable, surely, but do you know of it’s beginnings? Originally called “Shchedryk”, this piece was brought to America by the Ukrainian National Chorus from Ukraine. With current world politics, we here at the Arcade hope that you will be mindful about your Christmas, and honor the Ukrainian people by recognizing the roots of this iconic song.

We hope this guide helps make the holiday season more bearable. Enjoy!