Top 5 Christmas Carol CDs for the Car

Time to warm up the car, make that coffee extra hot, and get out those sweaters, because the Christmas season is here. As a mother, I spend a great deal of time in my car come the colder months. If it isn't Christmas shopping or driving my son to school, it is groceries and all the other necessary errands that keep me in my car during the days and early evenings. These are just 5 of the CDs I must have in my car when the first snowflake announces the season.

First, Now That's What I Call Christmas gets grabbed and put in the player. This two-disc collection of 36 holiday songs not only pleases me, but keeps my passengers at bay as well. This is the Cd to get if you say to yourself when you hear a Christmas Carol, "I love that version. I wonder what I can find it on?" Most likely it would be this CD. With performances like Burl Ives Holly Jolly Christmas, Dean Martin's Let it Snow and Bing Crosby & David Bowie's Little Drummer Boy sharing the list with Bruce Springsteen and my personal favorite Band Aid, gives the eclectic selection of the radio. Perfect CD to have one with everyone in the car and ready to do a bit of shopping.

Second, Harry Connick Jr. Harry For the Holidays is one of those Christmas Cds I listen to after I drop my son off at school. Harry For the Holidays is romantic, soulful and mine. Mom's alone time driving to the store without anyone to talk through the mature and sultry voice of Harry Connick Jr. Songs such as Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Silver Bells add lightness and whimsy to the album. Though when you hear his, "Ill Be Home for Christmas" the awareness that this is an album for mom will become more than obvious. Not so much for the kids, but a great Cd for the moments you are on your own this holiday season.

Third, The original motion picture soundtrack to Home Alone composed and conducted by John Williams. This CD is fun and incredible at the same time. The mix of traditional favorites and full on choir performances is amazing. The best rendition of Carol of the Bells may be on this soundtrack. A great mix when you're alone or with others in the car. It seems to compliment looking at the houses decorated with lights of white and blue, with phony Santas and those awful plastic candles in the windows when you drive by. Brings to me the feeling of Christmas. I adore this cd and play it often during the season.

Fourth, A Classic Cartoon Christmas from Nick at Nite. I found this Cd at a major chain record store many years ago and it is still one of my favorites. This Cd has tracks from all the Christmas specials I loved as a kid. O Tannenbaum from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Welcome Christmas from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and my all time favorite from a special, We Need a Little Christmas from The Muppet Family Christmas. These are not only great for me, but for the kids too. Many of these specials have withstood the time and the songs especially. Great versions of traditional favorites for the kids in the car, and just enough nostalgia for me not to hate driving in the snow.

Lastly, I saved A Sesame Street Christmas by the Sesame Street Characters. This is one of my all-time favorite Cds, Christmas or not. My generation would not doubt remember that feeling when you watch Christmas Eve on Sesame Street and could hardly keep those tears of happiness inside once Big Bird came home. This was the sheer brilliance of Jim Henson. He made these monsters our friends whom brought humanity and grace to all it touched. The wonderful True Blue Miracle by Hoots the Owl, Bob, Elmo and The Company begs you to sing along as it plays. With 11 more songs by the Muppets and The Company, there is plenty of fun to be had. Keep Christmas With You (All Through the Year) is not only non-tradition, but it is beautifully written and makes a wonderful sing alone from youngest toddler to the eldest passenger.