There was a strict rule in my house growing up- “No Christmas music until Thanksgiving!”

So, this week, at last, Andrew and I have been diving into our vast collection of holiday music.Along with traditional favorites such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and the Conniff Singers, we love to delve into seasonal classical works or Christmas songs sung by opera singers and choirs.

This week I’ve enjoyed “The Three Tenors Christmas”, BrynTerfel”s “Carols and Christmas Songs” and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Holiday Celebration" (which I bought for 5 bucks at their concert last year- its great!). Renee Fleming’s“Christmas in New York” has been a new addition this year. It’s jazzy rather than opera but still very nice.

Also if you just need some music and don’t want to be changing CDs all afternoon while you wrap, bake or do errands, Pandora’s Classical Christmas channel is very enjoyable. Anyone can listen for free on computer or mobile device. It’s a really nice mix though it can sometimes seem repetitive but I don’t really find multiple instrumental versions of “Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring” to be much of a real hardship…

I also quite like Sirius XM radio’s Holiday Pops channel; but that won’t start up until mid-December.

I’ve made a YouTube playlist of some favorites to share with you… Please check it out, I hope to add to it through the season! Opera Bracelets Christmas Playlist

What are some of your favorites?