Christmas songs for Mom: 20 to play while she makes Christmas happen

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — Judy Garland, 1944

The gentlest of the classics. For the end of a long day of wrapping, when the kitchen is finally clean.

The Christmas Song — Nat King Cole, 1961

The voice a lot of moms grew up hearing at Christmas. Put it on when she opens her gift.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas — Bing Crosby, 1943

The promise every grown kid makes to their mom. Send it the week before you drive home.

Hard Candy Christmas — Dolly Parton, 1982

About getting through a lean year and being fine anyway. For the mom who made Christmas out of very little.

Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) — Amy Grant, 1992

A carol sung from a young mother’s point of view. Quiet and moving, especially for a new mom.

Who Would Imagine a King — Whitney Houston, 1996

A mother’s lullaby from The Preacher’s Wife. Soft enough for the moment she reads your card.

Sleigh Ride — The Ronettes, 1963

Bright and bouncy. The one to put on when the first tray of cookies comes out.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree — Brenda Lee, 1958

Two minutes of pure fun. Watch her dance with the oven mitts still on.

A Holly Jolly Christmas — Burl Ives, 1964

For the mom who decorates the day after Thanksgiving and does not apologise for it.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas — Perry Como, 1951

Easy and cheerful. Good for the afternoon you put up the tree together.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year — Andy Williams, 1963

Her favourite season, set to music. Play it the first morning she gets the decorations out.

Feliz Navidad — José Feliciano, 1970

Everyone sings the chorus. A good one for a full kitchen and a big family.

O Holy Night — Celine Dion, 1998

Big and reverent. For a mom who never misses the Christmas Eve service.

Mary, Did You Know? — Pentatonix, 2014

Voices only, and very still. A lovely one to sit through together before bed.

Somewhere in My Memory — John Williams, 1990

The Home Alone theme, about Christmases remembered. For a mom who keeps every ornament you ever made.

The Christmas Waltz — Frank Sinatra, 1954

Slow enough to dance to in the living room. Ask her for one turn around the tree.

Mama Liked the Roses — Elvis Presley, 1969

Elvis singing about his own mother. Soft and sentimental, for the Elvis fan in your family.

Christmas in Dixie — Alabama, 1982

A Christmas song for a country mom, warm and a little homesick. Good for the drive to her house.

Because You Loved Me — Celine Dion, 1996

Not a Christmas song, but a thank-you that lands well when she opens something from you.

You Raise Me Up — Josh Groban, 2003

Slow and swelling. Use it under a Christmas slideshow of old family photos.