10 Christmas Songs to Play at your School Holiday Party

I was listening to Christmas songs in the car and wondered which songs I might play if I played music at my class holiday party ( I teach second grade)… then I thought if I came up with some ideas, other teachers might benefit from a list and it could save someone time listening to holiday songs and deciding themselves!

Now, I know not every school allows holiday parties or holiday music anymore. At my school, we still have a party the day before vacation and I know a lot of you do too. Some of you teach in Catholic Schools, some private schools and some are public school teachers like me and there is a huge variety of what is allowed. This post is not a commentary on any of that, it’s just to share ideas.

Here’s the rationale behind the songs I chose:

They had to be kid friendly songs (ie no iffy language etc., which would be weird on a Christmas song but Baby It’s Cold Outside didn’t make the cut… )
These are more secular songs and not traditional Christmas Carols. I figured that would help some of you in public schools with stricter rules about what you could do regarding Christmas.
And of course, an important consideration-I had to love them! Haha!

Here we go! The list is in order from 1-10, in order of what I think would be best for an elementary school party but I suppose you could play them at a staff party too ( I included video links below, but I am NOT recommending any of the videos – just the songs themselves)!

1) Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band version

2) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry Version

3) Frosty the Snowman – Gene Autry Version (there are other good ones, but I just love his versions)

4) Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

By the way if you show kids the Hall and Oates video version of this, be prepared for confused facial expressions and laughter!

5) Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

6) White Christmas – Bing Crosby

7) Sleigh Ride – I couldn’t decide – I love both the Boston Pops Orchestra version (no lyrics) and the Ronnettes so here is a link to both; however a version with words might be better for younger kids.

Boston Pops Orchestra

Ronnettes

8) Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives

9) The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole of course!

10) Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Frank Sinatra (had to get him on this list!)

Honorable Mentions: Didn’t Make it because they are a bit focused on love instead of Christmas songs but might work for upper elementary parties. I LOVE these by the way!

All I Want for Christmas – Mariah Carey