As soon as the first of December is within sight, enforcers of 'cheer' take great joy relentlessly pumping out Mariah Carey from every supermarket, pub and carpark in the land.
It's not that we're bereft of any festive sentiment, more that we prefer our festive tunes a little more, well, tuneful.
And so, in the spirit of tasteful merriment, we've complied our list of ten great Christmas albums which will make you look cool at the office party or, more likely, to your granddad on Boxing Day.
1 | Bright Eyes - A Christmas Album
Originally recorded in 2002, the American indie bands covers of Christmas songs glow with warm nostalgia but manage to pull off a twist on each classic song.
2 | Saint Etienne - A glimpse of Stocking
The trio whose nineties indie rock was popular in nineties London take a swing at yuletide cheer with this eclectic and fun Christmas collection.
3 | The Beach Boys - The Beach Boys' Christmas Album
With a sound that brings a little bit of summer warmth to the chillsome months, this collection includes covers of 'Merry Christmas, Baby' and 'White Christmas'.
4 | Christmas In The Heart – Bob Dylan
A more sombre Christmas album than some but with plenty of moments of fun. Dylan's 2009 album covers classic tracks with his low, and often moving, vocals
5 | Frank Sinatra – A Jolly Christmas
True, Frank is a Christmas staple not a left-field choice, but his album sits firmly in the 'cool not schmaltzy' camp and includes a swingin’ cover of 'Jingle Bells'.
6 | Low – Christmas
An indie trio triumph of emotion over irony, the Christmas album from Minnesota formed indie band has a cult following, especially single 'Just Like Christmas' originally released on The O.C
7 | Sufjan Stevens – Songs For Christmas
Masterful reinventions of carols and icy originals, the American instrumentalist and singer captures the soft melancholy of the season with moving results.
8 | Various Artists – Where Will You Be Christmas Day?
Uplifting acoustic blues ring through this collection of tracks which features songs by the likes of Walter Davis, Norman Edmonds and Lightnin' Hopkins.
9 | Phil Spector – A Christmas Gift For you
True a lot of these are familiar classics, but from The Ronettes covers of 'Sleigh Ride' to Darlene Loves' 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), this album is irresistibly festive.
10 | The Jackson 5 – Christmas Album
As well as their famous 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town', the album from the legendary Motown group also features lesser known gems like a smooth and swaying rendition of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'.
