Christmas-y, Non-Christmas Music for Your Christmas Party

A Christmas party does not necessarily mean established Christmas music must be incorporated; most people sweat at the sound of those songs that echo throughout malls everywhere. The music of a party should embellish the overall ambience of the scene, rather than control the attitudes of the guests. This Christmas, try choosing songs based on the instruments used. Bells, Chimes, horns-these are all Christmas sounds that add just enough festivity to a song without actually being a Christmas song.

It helps to organize your songlist according to the stage of the party (beginning, middle, end). For the beginning, music should be calm, yet upbeat. Songs without lyrics provide a good "get to know you" environment. Broken Social Scene has produced many instrumental pieces including:

Love and Mathematics (CD: Feel Good Lost)

The nice use of distortion in this song will have people entering your place with a sense of warmth. It is also low-key (great for anxious partygoers). It is important to establish a relaxed environment for any sort of party.

Alive in 85 (CD: Feel Good Lost)

...another good piece by Broken Social Scene. It will gently put a party-mood to the place with its slightly disco beats. You will hear Christmas in a sparkling chime sound and charming horn.

The second musical stage of a party should be energizing. Explosions in the Sky is a band that has achieved the ability to gently transition the listener from comfortable and calm to comfortable and energized.

Explosions in the Sky: Look into the Air

This song could easily accompany a snowy dream. Look into the Air starts with a classic slow-motion beat that gets people talking with calmness, then poses the listener with a grungy second half that gets people energized. Christmas? Not so much. Christmas party? YES!

Explosions in the Sky: Day Six (CD: The Rescue)

This song twinkles with its high, ever-resonating guitar, making it just Christmas-y enough for your party.

Manitoba: Crayon (CD: Up in Flames)

We all want to feel like a child again during the holidays. "Crayon" gives one a feeling of soaring down a snowy hill on a sleigh with its cheery bell and xylophone accompanied by a soothing, agreeable voice.

Spiritualized: Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space (CD: Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space)

The members in Spiritualized are known for living up to their name. This song uses scales that are common in gospel and hymnal music-giving it a soulful, hopeful and even religious quality that is fit for a Christmas celebration.

Ratatat: Montanita (CD: cLassics)

Playfulness is the word for this song. The interesting sounds are endless (without being irking). The bells are what give this song its holiday appeal.

Pixies: Where is my Mind? (CD: Surfer Rosa)

"Where is my Mind?" is a good party choice because most people know the song (from Fightclub); a good sense of community can come of it.

Sigur Ros produces some of the most affective music out there. They have a few ambient, yet positive songs. These pieces might be good for eating time:

Samskeyti (CD: untitled)

Samskeyti includes simple piano and string instruments that climb up in scale. The classic piano playing has a definite Christmas sit-by-the-fire feel.

Njosnavelin (CD: untitled)

...Another great song to enjoy your Christmas meal to. It is one of the longer ones on this list-you as a host, can relax and let it play. There's minimal voice and it is of a different language, so it wont intrude in on conversation. There is a deep bass drum that is reminiscent of "The Little Drummer Boy."

Give them the energy they need to walk out the door by putting on some Stereolab. Stereolab is a band that suits any get-together. The members strive and achieve a jazz-pop sound that agrees with most every ear and promotes good mood. The singer's smooth voice is sure to lend a hand to hypnotic, memorable, end-of-night conversations.

Stereolab: Sudden Stars (CD: Margarine Eclipse)

"Sudden Stars opens up with an auditory representation of Christmas lights (you will know what I mean when you hear it). Among "la la la's" are festive words such as silk and gold

Mazzy Star: Flowers in December (CD: Among my Swan)

The voice that narrates Mazzy Star's music is unmistakable. You'll give your guests Goosebumps of delight with this December song. It opens up with a sleigh bell sound and a harmonica-adding acoustic, earthy warmth to the end of your Christmas party.

Four Tet: My Angel Rocks me Back and Forth (CD: Rounds)

This is a perfect song for those last party stragglers or for your own post-party chill-out session. It resembles rythmic breathing and keeps with the Christmas trend by presenting the ear with a wind-chime sort-of melody. There are no vocals in this piece, which makes it particularly meditative.

Christmas-time need not confine you to traditional tunes, but it should be considered when creating your party's soundtrack. Music is a crucial component in a successful party. You want your party to reflect the togetherness, warmth, and relaxation that most seek during the winter months.