Making a Holiday Driving Playlist? Read our Picks.

Photo by Chiot’s Run via Flickr

It’s that festive time of year again – the time when holiday music fills the airwaves and every retail store pumps out familiar favorites to get you in the shopping spirit. No matter where you’re driving for the holidays this year and whether you love holiday music or despise it, hearing Christmas tunes on the radio is pretty much inevitable. Here are some tips about what to include on your own holiday driving playlist, how to organize it, and how to stay safe while getting into the holiday spirit.

How to Create a Holiday Drive Playlist

Playlists are all about organization, especially if you plan to listen to a lot of holiday music this year. Christmas music comes in all shapes and sizes: jazz, classical, modern, rock, and country. Consider subdividing your Christmas music into musical genres so that you can play a particular type of music when you are craving it. This does, however, require some extra work and preparation time. If you’re the type of music listener who loves surprises, skip the genres and create your own random, eclectic mix!

Traditional Tunes to Include

Christmas is all about tradition, so no seasonal playlist would really be complete without a few of the tried and true favorite tunes. Some of the most popular classical Christmas songs are Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Cannon,” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” Other traditional songs that Christmas lovers can’t get enough of are “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and “Joy to the World.”

The New Classics

Not all Christmas music needs to include the songs your parents and grandparents listened to. Lots of popular rock, country, and R&B artists have come out with Christmas albums and singles over the years that have slowly evolved into new classics. A few good examples are Mary J. Blige’s R&B “This Christmas,” Bad Religion’s punk “White Christmas,” and Mariah Carey’s pop “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” And while you’re at it, why not add Run DMC’s rap “Christmas In Hollis” and Wham’s 1984 hit “Last Christmas.”

Quirky Tunes to Toss In

If you’re looking to shake up your holiday playlist with a few unexpected tunes, there are lots of quirky underground hits to satisfy your curiosity. Did you know that Lady Gaga created a song called “Christmas Tree” in 2008? Ever heard Kanye West’s “Christmas in Harlem? Or how about DMX’s “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?” These tracks are sure to put a smile on your face when they pop up in your holiday playlist.

Driving and the Radio: Some Safety Tips

No matter what you’re listening to on the radio this holiday season, make sure that you don’t forget safe driving habits while out and about on the roads. Avoid changing the radio stations or scrolling through your playlist when driving to stay alert and keep your attention where it needs to be. After you’ve created your perfect playlist, ask your passenger to be your DJ so you can avoid distractions and enjoy the tunes on the way to your destination!