Top Ten Christmas Songs

Choosing the top ten Christmas songs is like choosing a favorite food. There are so many varieties of Christmas songs to select from, and most bring wonderful holiday memories. But, if one were to choose the top ten Christmas songs of all time and a favorite version, it gets even more complicated. Please use the comment space below to share your personal favorite top ten Christmas songs too!

10. The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simone Chorale. The sometimes haunting but always magical Harry Simone Chorale's version of The Little Drummer Boy is number ten on my list of top ten Christmas songs. This song reveals the story of a poor child during the days of the birth of Jesus. With no gift to give, the child offers to play his drum for the Christ child.

9. The Twelve Days of Christmas - Roger Whittaker. Roger Whittaker's classic folk voice and the upbeat rhythm made this classic number nine on my countdown of top ten Christmas songs. Dating back to a time when Christmas celebration continued through Epiphany, this song tells the story of one suitor's holiday gifts to his beloved.

8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland. Number eight in my countdown of top ten Christmas songs is this classic version of a song highlighting the gathering of friends at the holidays.

7. Sleigh Ride - Arthur Fielder and the Boston Pops. One of the cheeriest songs on my list of top ten Christmas songs is this quick instrumental version of Sleigh Ride. Though the Andrews Sisters also released a version of this song, this one makes you want to hit the slopes.

6. Blue Christmas - Elvis. Adding rock to heartbreak, Blue Christmas made a perfect six for my top ten Christmas songs list because it is not only from one of the most beloved artists of all time, it reflects a feeling many of us have at the holidays when a loved one can't be with us.

5. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole. The jazzy voice of Nat King Cole adds a special spark to his version of The Christmas Song, which is my number five pick for the top ten Christmas songs. His narrative voice paints a beautiful picture of a Christmas atmosphere.

4. Carol of the Bells - Vienna Boys Choir. The Carol of the bells plays an audio trick, with a sound similar to that of ringing bells. Sung in acapella, the Carol of the bells is my number four of because this classic version has a growing tension to it that is very difficult to reproduce.

3. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Perry Como or Bing Crosby. Perry Como and Bing Crosby tied for the best version of I'll Be Home for Christmas because one version is that of longing and the other a version that has an upbeat hope to it. It was impossible to choose which version was best for my top ten Christmas songs list because I loved both for two very different reasons.

2. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry. Though many have offered versions of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Gene Autry won my number two spot in my top ten Christmas Songs because it was the version I heard most when growing up. I will always love the times my parents called all of us to the family room to watch the Rankin Bass Christmas specials, where Burl Ives offered his own version of Rudolph, but it was Gene Autry who sang the classic from our family record player.

1. White Christmas - Bing Crosby. White Christmas by Bing Crosby was a song of hope, especially for those who have seen the film. For me, it has a special reason for being the number one Christmas song on my list of top ten Christmas Songs. Growing up wasn't always easy in my house. My mother had some real problems. But Christmas was a time for her to choose holiday cards from the big Current catalog. (You know, the one with the cards glued inside.) Her favorites were always the ones with sparkly glitter snow. White Christmas may mean to some that it's time to play in the fluffy frozen white stuff, but to me it was all about watching my mother select our family Christmas Cards.

I have a few honorable mentions for my list of top ten Christmas songs. They are as follows: It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas - Perry Como.Winter Wonderland - Dolly Parton. Silver Bells - Kate Smith, Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives, and Silent Night - Kenny G. I'd love to hear your favorites too! Just add them to the comments.