Christmas in Florida usually begins at the start of November. This is the time when the radios start playing Christmas songs and Spotify creates a playlist that’ll be forced down your throat every time you open the app. At the top of that list will be Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” which is a classic, but can get old after the first few hundred listens. If you want to hear something new this season, give some of these festive tunes a chance.

1. “Last Christmas” by Wham! – jingle bells and soft vocals. It’s an oldie, but it stands the test of time.
2. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love – A much older song, but it features wonderful vocals and brings holiday cheer to the family functions.
3. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid – A Christmas song with a splash of 80’s synths and a dash of disco. Great song to dance to next to the tree.
4. “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono – Literally iconic and beautiful, why wouldn’t you listen to it?
5. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Bruce Springsteen – Christmas plus rock? They work better together than you might think.  The “Born in the USA” singer rides beautifully on sweet guitar riffs and cheerful drums.
6. “Merry Xmas Everybody” by Slade – The band’s echoing vocals and harmonies along the marching drums is the perfect song to listen to while decorating the tree or making gingerbread houses.
7. “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” by Wizzard – The perfect Christmas party song. The record sounds like cheering eggnog and spending time by the fire with friends and family.
8. “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney – Again, literally iconic.
9. “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson – This cheerful and dynamic track is one of best songs to get into the Christmas spirit.
10. “Step Into Christmas” by Elton John – Waking up on Christmas morning to this song is a reminder of the joy of spending the holiday season with family and inspires hope for another great year.

So, before you press play and begin defrosting Mariah Carey for the 20th year in a row, consider giving some of the songs on this list a try for your soundscape of the season.