12 Uncommon Christmas Songs That Will Become Your New Favorites

Inside: If you’re sick of hearing Jingle Bell Rock, here are the best alternative Christmas songs to get you in the spirit without getting under your skin.

I love Christmas music so much that any time during the year I find myself wanting a little pick-me-up, I crank up my favorite playlist of Christmas songs.

But even I get a little sick of hearing Jingle Bell Rock and Frosty the Snowman everywhere I go during the holiday season.

And so one year, I set out to find the best uncommon Christmas songs to add to my festive playlist. I listened to hundreds of songs to find the best of the best, and today I’m sharing the cream of the crop with you.

These alternative Christmas songs will get you in the holiday spirit without getting under your skin.

12 Alternative Christmas Songs That You’ll Love

These uncommon Christmas songs are so fresh and fun that they’ll quickly become your new favorites during the holiday season.

1. Sugar Cookie by Sugar & The Hi Lows

This catchy tune is an ode to my personal favorite part of the holiday season—baking cookies:

Help me decorate ’em, you can add some spice
We’ll color-coordinate them, til the temperature’s right
We’ll make something nice, you’ve been craving all this time

2. A Christmas Compromise by The Bird and the Bee

Don’t let the fact that this song is from a kids’ album fool you. The singer’s beau is Jewish, but she’s REALLY into Christmas:

Oh, could we get a Christmas tree?
I know on this one thing, we can’t agree
But nevermind the Jesus part
Won’t you let Santa into your heart?

3. It Snowed by Meaghan Smith

This tune sounds like one of those classic Christmas songs of yesteryear, but the lyrics are as fresh as a newly fallen snow:

It snowed, It snowed
It snowed last night
Everything is sparkling with diamond light
The road is bare
It’s four feet high
Honey, let’s play hooky
‘Cause it snowed last night

4. It’s Christmas by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

If you’re looking for uncommon Christmas songs because you’re tired of everything Christmas-y, this song will be right up your alley:

Children singing merrily
Carols till my ears are bleeding
Christmas, at Christmas
Strangers and their looks of glee
Smiling at you stupidly
At Christmas, at Christmas

5. Maybe Next Year by Meiko

If you ended up in the Naughty camp this year, here’s an anthem for you:

I don’t think Santa’s coming this year
‘Cause I’ve been a bad, a bad girl
I’ve made my bed, now I’m lying in it
Without a care, a care in the world

6. The Gingerbread House Song by Kyle Harrington

This is a silly little Christmas song that kids love:

I wanna live in a gingerbread house
With a candy cane fence
To keep gummy bears out

7. Ribbons and Bows by Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves has lots of fun uncommon Christmas songs, but this one is my personal favorite:

Don’t need ribbons and bows to cure my woes
No, I just need your love
Expensive rings or diamond things
No, I just need your love

Don’t get me wrong, a shiny new Mercedes would look nice in my driveway
Or a roundtrip ticket for a long vacation on a big fancy jet plane

8. Snowfall by Ingrid Michaelson

This song will warm your insides like a cup of hot cocoa with a dash of ancho chili powder. One of my favorite alternative Christmas songs of all time!

I want a snowfall kind of love
The kind of love that quiets the world
I want a snowfall kind of love
‘Cause I’m a snowfall kind of girl…
I want a snowfall kind of love
The kind of love that keeps you in bed all day
Oh I want to walk through with you
And watch it all melt away

9. No Christmas for Me by Zee Avi

Missing your honey this Christmas? This one needs to go on your playlist of alternative Christmas songs.

There won’t be eggnogs by the cozy fire
There won’t be glasses of mulled wine either
There won’t even be a Christmas tree
‘Cause you’re not here to light it up with me
Santa honey, won’t you bring my baby back to me?

10. Someday at Christmas by Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson’s version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer^† is my favorite and deserves a listen for the little twist he puts on the classic lyrics. But if you’re looking for something even more original, give this one a listen.

And some day at Christmas, there’ll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found out what life is really worth
Then there will be peace on Earth

^† This site is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

11. Home by Blake Shelton

You may have heard the version by Michael Buble, but this version from Blake’s album was rewritten with a seasonal feel.

I can close my eyes and see the angel on the tree
A blanket of snow outside and all my friends and family
And though I know that you’re no further than a call away
I need to see your face–a call could never be the same

12. When the Leaves by Ingrid Michaelson

Yes, Ingrid made the list twice. She’s an all-time favorite in our house, and we were seriously considering naming our baby girl “Ingrid”—until we couldn’t think of a nickname better than “Ing” or “Rid.” This song is just simple and beautiful:

When the snow comes down
And it covers this lonely town
Then I miss your kiss

Get the Spotify Playlist: Unknown Christmas Songs

If you use Spotify, head over to this Spotify playlist and click the heart button to add these alternative Christmas songs to your own Spotify library. Bonus: As I discover new uncommon songs for Christmas, you’ll get extra songs not yet featured in this post!

Your Turn

Do you know of any other awesome alternative Christmas songs? A better nickname for Ingrid? Share it in a comment below!