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This index presents a selected discography of the best and/or most important various artist Christmas albums, organized by album name. Whenever possible, the listings are accompanied by links to the album art; to a place to buy the album (usually Amazon); and to my review of the album. Admittedly, the list skews heavily towards my preference for all things that rock, roll, swing, and twang. But, nothing's perfect - especially me and my crazy list. Please send additions, submissions, corrections, criticisms, and suggestions via email.

Title Date Image Buy Review
Making Spirits Bright: A Smooth Jazz Christmas
- collection from GRP Records includes track from Diana Krall
2001 image buy  
Malt Shop Memories
- holiday adjunct to Time-Life oldies series
2007 image buy  
Mambo Santa Mambo: Christmas From The Latin Lounge
- 18 holiday highlights of the 1950's Latin music craze
2000 image buy review
Mark Lamarr's Rhythm & Blues Christmas
- BBC personality presents 25 vintage classics
2004 image buy  
Mark Lamarr's Rhythm & Blues Christmas
- same as above with new cover
2010 image buy  
Martha Stewart: Home For The Holidays 2001 image buy  
Martha Stewart: Classical Favorites For The Holidays 2005 image buy  
Martha Stewart: Jazz For The Holidays 2005 image buy  
Martha Stewart: Traditional Songs For The Holidays 2005 image buy  
Martha Stewart: The Holiday Collection
- boxed set containing above three discs; above five releases compiled by jailbird domestic maven
2005 image buy  
Mary Did You Know?
- subtitled '17 Inspirational Christmas Songs From Today's Top Country Artists'
2007 image buy  
Mas! A Caribbean Christmas Party
- compilation of calypso, reggae, and more from Rykodisc
1992 image buy  
Maybe This Christmas 2002 image buy  
Maybe This Christmas, Too? 2003 image buy  
Maybe This Christmas Tree
- above three alternative rock and pop compiled by Nettwerk Records
2004 image buy  
Melodicrock.com Volume 6: We Will Rock Yule
- compilation of power pop, AOR, and glam metal from Australian label
2009 image buy  
The Merriest of Christmas Pops
- RCA LP split between bandleaders Esquivel and Ray Martin, with vocalists Mimi Hiones and the Skip Jacks; MP3 listed separately
1959 image buy  
Merriest Time Of The Year
- 15-track MP3 collection from Capitol Records
2009 image buy  
Merry Arizona: Desert Stars Shine At Christmas 1995 image buy  
Merry Arizona Two: Desert Stars Shine At Christmas 1996 image buy  
Merry Arizona 97: Desert Stars Shine At Christmas 1997 image buy  
Merry Arizona: Gems Of Melody And Rhythm 1998 image buy  
Merry Arizona: Happy Trails
- above five feature talent from the Grand Canyon State, including a few names of national renown, e.g. Glen Campbell, Alice Cooper, Nils Lofgren; benefit for United Cerebral Palsy
1999 image buy  
Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas 1997 image buy  
Merry Axemas Vol. 2: More Guitars For Christmas
- above two feature rock six-string heroes toasting the season
1998 image buy  
Merry Blue Christmas
- mixed roster of blues and R&B artists compiled by Fuel 2000
2000 image buy  
Merry Cajun Christmas Vols. 1 & 2
- Louisiana cajun, zydeco, and swamp pop from Swallow Records; combines two previous LP releases (1978 and 1987) on one CD
1992 image buy  
Merry Christmas (King)
- mixed bag compilation LP from legendary, Cincinatti-based independent label King Records; reissued with new artwork by Sundazed for Record Store Day 2019
1959 image buy  
Merry Christmas (King Snake)
- modern blues from King Snake Records; artists include Gregg Allman
1996
image buy  
Merry Christmas At The Rock 'n' Bowl
- collection of roots rockers from New Orleans, Louisiana
2012 image buy  
Merry Christmas Baby (Jewel)
- 11-track LP taken from the vaults of Jewel, Paula, and Ronn Records
1985 image buy review
Merry Christmas Baby (Paula)
- 23-track CD, including all of above
1991 image buy review
Merry Christmas Baby (Ronn)
- 13-track CD, including some of above
1996 image buy review
Merry Christmas Baby (Fuel 2000/Varese)
- 13-track CD compiled from same source as above three; includes a variety of artists billed as Charles Brown & Friends; reissued in 2005 as Greatest Christmas Hits
2000 image buy review
Merry Christmas... Baby: Intimate Christmas Music For Young Lovers
- Hollywood Records HLP-501, groundbreaking album of rhythm & blues compiled from the catalogs of Swing Time, Supreme, Exclusive, and Hollywood Records; cover features attractive black woman sitting at a bar, smoking
1956 image buy review
Merry Christmas... Baby: Intimate Christmas Music For Young Lovers
- same catalog number and track listing as above; different cover featuring painting of similar bar with cigarettes, but no black woman; presumably released at the same time for marketing to the white audience...
1956 image buy review
Merry Christmas... Baby: Six Intimate Songs For Young Lovers (EP)
- Hollywood Records EP-501, containing highlights from above LP, using same generic cover art
1956 image buy review
Merry Christmas Baby: Intimate Christmas Music For Lovers
- reissue of above 1956 LP with same catalog number and track listing, but slightly different title and totally new cover art, this time featuring an attractive black woman standing and smoking...
1965 image buy review
Merry Christmas Baby
- Gusto Records K-5018X, reissue of above Hollywood LP with new cover and added tracks from the catalogs of King and Federal Records
1978 image buy review
Merry Christmas Baby: Romance & Reindeer From Capitol Records
- part of a loosely organized series of vintage lounge music
1991 image buy review
Merry Christmas Children Everywhere
- a rather English compilation combining children's novelties (Chipmunks, Pinky & Perky) with established UK stars such as Alma Cogan
2004 image buy  
Merry Christmas: Chronicles Christmas Box
- 3-CD box of classics from Polygram Chronicles; MP3 listed separately
2005 image buy  
Merry Christmas Country Style
- Starday Records artists including Red Sovine and Cowboy Copas
1963 image buy  
Merry Christmas, Darling
- European A&M 2-LP set taken from their catalog
1974 image buy  
Merry Christmas From Coral Records
- sampler LP from Decca subsidiary
1958 image buy  
Merry Christmas From Motown
- 12 songs both old & new from legendary Detroit label; repackaged in 1970 as Christmas Gift 'Rap
1968 image buy review
Merry Christmas From Motown
- 10-song CD reissue of above with new cover, different track listing
1993 image buy review
Merry Christmas From Stateside
- digital release from storied EMI UK reissue label, now owned by Warner
2017 image buy  
Merry Christmas To You
- early Capitol LP featuring the label's biggest stars
1955 image buy  
Merry Christmas From The Sonics, Wailers, Galaxies
- three garage bands on northwestern label Etiquette Records
1965 image buy review
Merry Happy Christmas
- another MP3 compilation from Nettwerk Records
2008 image buy  
Merry Jazzmas
- contemporary Novus/RCA jazz collection featuring Marcus Roberts and Carmen McRae
1991 image buy  
Merry Kitschmas!
- eclectic collection from UK label El Records; similar to World In Winter (2000)
2009 image buy  
Merry luxmas: It's Christmas In Crampsville!
- subtitled "Season's Gratings FromThe Cramps"; part of an ongoing series inspired by the record collection of Cramps singer Lux Interior and guitarist Poison Ivy
2019 image buy  
Merry Merry Doo Wop Christmas
- latter-day doo wop compiled by DCC Compact Classics
1996 image buy  
Merry Mixmas: Christmas Classics Remixed
- modern mixmasters cut up the Capitol Christmas classics
2005 image buy  
Merry 1940's Christmas
- vintage pop & jazz tunes from the Columbia Records archives
2004 image buy  
Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 1 2005 image buy
Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 2 2006 image buy
Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 3 2008 image buy
Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 4 2009 image buy
Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 5 2010 image buy
Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 6 2011 image buy
Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 7 2012 image buy
Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 8 2013 image buy
Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 9
- above nine compiled by Australian DIY indie rock label
2014 image buy
Merry Soulful Christmas
- 1980's rhythm & blues culled from the MCA/Universal catalog
1996 image buy  
Merry X-mas Dammit from the Double Down Saloon
- famed Las Vegas dive bar compiles garage punk
2007 image buy  
Metal Christmas
- featuring a slew of mid-level British rock stars including Steve Overland (Wildlife, FM), Denny Laine (Moody Blues, Wings), Kim McAuliffe (Girlschool), John Sloman (Uriah Heep), Fast Eddie Clark (Motorhead, Fastway), and Paul Di'Anno (Iron Maiden); reissued as Rock Ya Christmas (1999)
1994 image buy  
Midnight Christmas Mess 1984 image buy review
Midnight Christmas Mess Again!! 1986 image buy review
Midnight Christmas Mess Part III
- above three released on label run by renowned NYC record store
1987 image buy review
Millenia Collection: American Christmas Classics 2005 image buy  
Millenia Collection: Best-Loved Christmas Carols 2005 image buy  
Millenia Collection: Children's Christmas Classics 2005 image buy  
Millenia Collection: Sacred Christmas Classics
- above four are book and CD sets written & compiled by Ronald M. Clancy, part of a planned ten-volume series (learn more)
2008 image buy  
Million Dollars Worth Of Christmas Doo-Wop
- part of extensive doo wop series on underground label Live Gold
1995 image buy  
Mint 400 Records Presents A Very Merry Christmas Compilation
- MP3 download from New Jersey-based indie; not to be confused with Chicago-based Minty Fresh Records; reissued in 2016 minus two tracks
2012 image buy  
Mistletoe and Memories
- RCA country collection mixing old and new recordings
1988 image buy  
Mistletoe Lounge
- jazz, hip hop, electronica & lounge fusion; companion to Holiday Remixed (2003)
2006 image buy  
Mojazz Christmas Album 1994 image buy review
Mojazz Christmas Vol. 2
- above two feature smooth jazz from Motown subsidiary label
1996 image buy review
Monster Ballads Xmas
- mullet-friendly metal from Razor & Tie
2007 image buy  
Most Fabulous Christmas Album Ever!
- pop & big band from the RCA Victor catalog; companion to The Most Fabulous Classical Christmas Album Ever! (2000)
1999 image buy  
Mother & Child: A Christmas Celebration of Motherhood
- female singers pay tribute to the season of birth
1995 image buy  
Mother Of All Flagpole Christmas Albums
- one of a series of albums released by Athens, GA, music magazine
1992 image buy  
Motown Christmas
- landmark 2-LP, 24-track compilation from legendary Detroit label; reissued on LP in 1982; first reissued on CD in 1992; remastered CD with bonus track issued in 1999
1973 image buy review
Motown Christmas Vol. 2
- similar to earlier compilation, Christmas In The City (1993)
2001 image buy review
Motown Christmas
- new UK 2-CD, 36-track imported collection
2005 image buy review
Motown Christmas
- Spectrum/Universal 2-CD, 33-track "golden decade" collection
2008 image buy review
Motown Christmas
- modern compilation bearing little resemblance to 1973 classic
2014 image buy review
Motown Christmas Album
- UK 16-track LP, notable mostly for its faintly racist cover art...
1976 image buy review
Motown Christmas Album: Christmas Cheers From Motown
- latter-day recordings from Motown stars both old and new
1989 image buy review
Motown Christmas Carol
- 23-song compilation including previously unavailable track
1995 image buy review
Motown Christmas: Playlist Your Way
- 14 track collection in eco-friendly packaging
2008 image buy review
Motown Holiday (EP)
- contemporary artists jump-start a Motown tradition
2020 image buy review
Mr. Santa's Boogie (Santa's Secret)
- Savoy LP 1157 compiling vintage jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues 1944-1957; reissued as Christmas Blues: The Savoy Jazz Christmas Album (Savoy 241, 1994) and expanded as Savoy Christmas Blues (Savoy 17271, 2003)
1985 image buy review
Music Of Love For Tomorrow's Children
- Japanese benefit album for UNICEF featuring mostly Christmas music; produced by Narada Michael Walden; artists include Sting, Stevie Wonder, and En Vogue
2000 image buy  
Music To Listen To When You Drive Home For Christmas
- eclectic, non-traditional holiday music from German label Resonanz Schallplatten
2006 image buy  
Music To Listen To When You Drive Home For Christmas 2
- similar to above, but even more obscure; last time I looked, listed for sale only in England and Germany...
2007 image buy  
Must Be Santa: The Rounder Christmas Album
- eclectic compilation from catalog of prominent independent label
1995 image buy  
Mutated Christmas
- industrial & electronic music presented by Corporal Blossom
2001 image buy  
My Christmas Album
- neo-soul collection from MCA Records
1999 image buy  
My Favorite Gifts
- Americana from North Carolina-based Ramseur Records; proceeds benefit the Vickie S. Honeycutt Foundation; also available as MP3 download
2011 image buy  
My Kind of Christmas
- imported CD, 20 tracks of classic pop
2010 image buy  
My Pal God Holiday Record 1998 image buy  
My Pal God Holiday Record 2
- above two released by Chicago-cum-Jersey-based indie label
2000 image buy  
My Pop Christmas
- curious RCA compilation pairing Elvis Presley with Britney Spears...
2011 image buy  

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