Christmas Carol CDs for Less than $11: Cole, Crosby, Aiken and More

Need a gift idea for that Christmas fanatic or music lover? Doing a little holiday entertaining this year? Holiday music can set the stage and the mood for your entire season. Therefore, it is important to select the music that is right for you and for the gathering you are putting together.

Whether you and your crowd are into traditional or Christmas music really isn't your thing, there is Christmas music out there for you.

No time to sort it all out? No worries. It's been done for you. No matter what your thing is, you'll find it in this review. And the best news is, none of the albums listed are more than $11.00 and all can be found at your local retail outlet or on sites like Amazon.com, Samgoody.com, and for the frugal shopper, at used online outlets like secondspin.com, so shop away!

1. Bing Crosby-White Christmas (1995): Everyone knows the sound of Bing's voice help to make the season bright. This selection contains all of his most loved Christmas classics, including "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas", "Adeste Fideles", and of course, the title track that has immortalized Bing Crosby in history books and the hearts of Christmas lovers forever. And it can be found for a mere $4.99 at www.amazon.com, making it the perfect gift for the perfect price.

1. Nat King Cole-The Christmas Song (2005-reissue with bonus tracks): Nat King Cole and "The Christmas Song" are as synonymous with the Holidays as presents and pumpkin pie. This collection includes the famous recording of the title track, as well as his other classics, including "A Cradle in Bethlehem", "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem", and "Caroling, Caroling", and includes 3 bonus tracks not released on previous versions of this album. For about $10.72 (Wal-Mart price), this 20-track album is a steal!

1. Andy Williams-The Christmas Album (1963-reissued in 2004): This album includes Andy Williams' best love tracks for Christmas, including "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", "Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season", and his poignant "Sweet Little Jesus Boy". This album runs at about $9.99 and is a must have for any Holiday gathering!

1. Clay Aiken-Merry Christmas With Love (2004): Combining one of the most powerful voices heard in recent years with traditional Christmas songs, "Merry Christmas With Love" is the perfect blend of traditional holiday music and pop music. Clay Aiken delivers a powerful performance on songs like "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day", and on the same turn, offers a more gentle approach to songs like "Silent Night" and combines gentle and powerful on the track, "Mary Did You Know". At around $9.99, this album is perfect for pop fans and Christmas music aficionados alike!

1. NSYNC-Home For Christmas (1998): This album should not be overlooked because it is delivered by a "boyband". The truth is, this album is not only a nice blend of contemporary pop Christmas songs like, the title track and "Under My Tree", and fun songs like "Kiss Me At Midnight" and "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays", but NSYNC also delivers on traditional songs like "The First Noel" and "The Christmas Song" with tight harmonies that are pleasing to any ear. Additionally, their a capella delivery of "Oh Holy Night" proves that these guys knew how to do more than look good and dance well. For about $8.99, pick up a copy, forget that it's done by a boyband, and enjoy.

1. Whitney Houston-One Wish-The Holiday Album (2003): In spite of all of the rumors and stories, one thing is true-Whitney still delivers vocally. By far the best track on this album is "Joy to the World" performed with the Georgia Mass Choir. This track is Christmas gospel at its absolute best. Other great tracks include, "Who Would Imagine A King" and "Little Drummer Boy", a duet with her daughter. Whitney's fantastic Christmas offering runs about $9.97 and is worth every penny.

1. Kenny and Dolly-Once Upon A Christmas (1984-re-released in 2002): Pure Country Christmas! This duo never sounded better than on this album. Upbeat, tracks like "With Bells On" and "I Believe in Santa Claus" offer down home Christmas fun, while tracks like the title track and "The Greatest Gift of All" offer a softer side to Christmas. This album also contains Dolly's classic, "Hard Candy Christmas". At $6.99, this is pure country Christmas fun for anyone.

1. Elvis Presley-Christmas Duets (2008): Joining the Christmas album market this year is a brand new Elvis Holiday offering. This one is a collection of duets with various artists, including Carrie Underwood ("I'll Be Home For Christmas") and Amy Grant ("White Christmas"), as well as three new solo tracks by the King of Rock and Roll ("If I Get Home on Christmas Day", "Winter Wonderland", and "The First Noel"). At just under $11 ($10.95), this is the perfect gift for any Elvis fan!

1. Michael W. Smith-Christmastime (1998): Michael W Smith does Christmas perfectly on this selection. He has a nice mix of beautiful religious songs like "Welcome To Our World" with secular favorites like "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells". The best track on this album is the title track, which is done with the London Boy's Choir. At $9.99, this album is perfect for any Christian fan or Christmas fan alike.

1. Harry Connick Jr..-When My Heart Finds Christmas (1993): Done in a smooth and jazzy style, this is Harry Connick Jr.'s best holiday offering. He jazzes up songs like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Let It Snow!", and offers fun new classics like "(It Must Have Been Ol') Santa Claus". He also slows it down with hits like the title track and "Christmas Dreaming". At only $6.98, this album is a perfect stocking stuffer.

1. Various Artists-Now That's What I Call Christmas! (2001): For the best deal for your buck, you can never go wrong with a compilation CD like this. At $9.99, this two-disc set combines classic and contemporary in one. Disc 1 contains 18 Christmas favorites from artists like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole, while disc 2 contains more contemporary pieces by artists like NSYNC, Britney Spears, Luther Vandross, and Boyz II Men. This collection is great no matter what your Christmas music tastes and is perfect for a party when your guests have varied tastes.

Now that you have 11 great CDs to choose from, it will be hard to choose which to get. Then again, at under $11, the price is so right that you could probably pick up a few and enjoy the Holidays!