The ultimate Christmas playlist

Having a Christmas party? Not sure what to play? You can’t go wrong with a bit of Christmas cheese. Here (in playing order!) is our Ultimate Christmas Playlist.

• So here it is (Merry Christmas!) – Slade. It’s not Christmas until Noddy Holder has screamed ‘IT’S CHRIIIIIIISSSTMAAAAAS!’. So, what better way to introduce your Christmas party than with Noddy’s announcement?
• Rockin’ around the Christmas tree – Brenda Lee/Mel and Kim. The start of a party can be awkward, so break the ice with this jolly tune. You don’t have to actually rock around a Christmas tree (unless you want to).
• Fairytale of New York – The Pogues. Encourage your guests to get into the party spirit (i.e. drunk) with this classic boozy ballad.
• I wish it could be Christmas every day – Wizzard. By now, everyone’s a bit tipsy and hopefully having a great time. Also, they’re too drunk to wince when those kids start singing. If you have to break this tune out, this is the place for it.
• White Christmas – Bing Crosby. Ah, a mellow classic. The Pogues and Wizzard have probably driven your guests into a state of frenzied festive excitement – so let’s tone it down with this croon from Bing.
• Christmas time (don’t let the bells ring) – The Darkness. If people have started slow-dancing to Bing, you can simultaneously manage the situation and keep the fun going with this offering from The Darkness. Just slow enough to slow-dance too, just metal enough to keep things from getting uncomfortably steamy.
• Last Christmas – Wham. Inevitably someone will be disappointed in the slow-dancing stakes. Show some solidarity with them through the magic of Wham.
• We’re walking in the air – Aled Jones. Finally, you’re sick of your guests. You want rid of them so you can finish off the snacks and neck the last few drops of prosecco. Drive them away with the plaintive tones of young Aled Jones.

At varying points, you can also drop in these festive classics:

·         All I want for Christmas is you – Mariah Carey.

·         Merry Christmas everybody – Shakin’ Stevens

·         Driving home for Christmas – Chris Rhea

·         The power of love – Frankie Goes To Hollywood (or, if you want to be REALLY festive, the Gabrielle Aplin version from that John Lewis advert)

·         Stop the cavalry – Jona Lewie

·         The Christmas song – Nat King Cole

·         Somewhere only we know – Lily Allen

·         I believe in Father Christmas – Greg Lake

·         Mary’s boy child – Boney M

·         Stay another day – East 17

Just be sure to avoid Cliff Richard’s ‘Millennium Prayer’. At all costs.