Whether you delight in this time of year or dread the time spent in dysfunctional family soirees, music is a vehicle that takes us on a journey through the holidays.

Creating my own mixed tapes (defined as a compilation of songs recorded on audio cassettes – highly popularized in the 1980’s) is something I’ve been doing for years! My holiday mixed tapes allow me to go back to hilarious times of cookie-making, present-wrapping and margarita-drinking; plus, when do I ever get to hear Barbra Streisand sing Ave Maria except for now?

Soooooo, I have been inspired to share some of my favorite holiday tunes to get you all in the mood for Christmas! Check ‘em out (links to YouTube), comment on your favorites, and have a very hootenanny holiday!Family Favorites (otherwise known as traditional Christmas songs)

• Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
• Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
• Jingle Bells – Barbra Streisand
• Let it Snow – Frank Sinatra
• A Marshmallow World – Dean Martin
• Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby & the Andrew Sisters
• Frosty the Snowman – Ella Fitzgerald
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
• Christmas Time is Here (Charlie Brown) – Vince Guaraldi Trio

Parrandas y Posadas

• Celebrando Navidad – Chino Espinoza, Orquesto Tabaco y Ron
• Cantemos – Lucecita Benitez
• Esta Navidad – Willie Colon y Hector Lavoe
• Salsa Pa’ Tu Lechon – Johnny Ventura
• Feliz Navidad – El Vez
• Arbolito de Navidad – Julieta Venegas y Tommy Torres
• Amarga Navidad – Lila Downs

Eclectic Random

• Santa Claus is Sometimes Brown – El Vez
• Baby It’s Cold Outside – Glee Cast
• I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Stuhr remix) – Kay Starr
• The Chanukah Song – Adam Sandler
• Carol of the Meows – Guster
• The First Snowflake – The Boy Least Likely To
• Sleigh Ride – Los Straitjackets
• Carol of the Bells – London Festival Orchestra

Old-School Country

• Country Christmas – Loretta Lynn
• Jingle Bell Rock – Randy Travis
• Pretty Paper – Willie Nelson
• Merry Christmas Darling – The Fabulous Thunderbirds
• Go Tell It On the Mountain – Dolly Parton
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Texas Tornados

Tanya’s Flashback

• Santa Claus is Coming to Town – The Pointer Sisters
• Christmas in Hollis – Run DMC
• All I Want for Christmas – Mariah Carey
• Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – U2
• Joy to the World – Whitney Houston
• I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – John Cougar Mellencamp
• This Christmas – Mary J Blige

What songs are a MUST for your holiday? Please share because I love music and am always hungry for new stuff.