Baby Teith's Holiday Playlist

Baby Teith's holiday playlist is 67 alternative Christmas songs: new wave, 90s indie rock, shoegaze and a little punk. It's for decorating, baking, wrapping gifts and getting everyone into the family photo. Listen on Spotify.

I love Christmas music. I just don't want the same ten songs on repeat for six weeks. So this is the playlist I put on when the box comes down from the garage. Some of these you'll know from the first note. Some will be new, and a few are covers you won't expect.

 

What's on the playlist

• 80s new wave and synth pop: Last Christmas by Wham!, Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses, Winter Wonderland by Eurythmics, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Kim Wilde and Nik Kershaw, Christmas Island by Depeche Mode, and It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas by Pet Shop Boys. Also Squeeze, Haircut 100, Erasure, DEVO and Aztec Camera.
• Dreamy and shoegaze: Cocteau Twins doing Frosty the Snowman and Winter Wonderland, Christmas Ghosts and The Christmas Song by The Raveonettes, Just Like Christmas by Low, Reindeer by The Knife and Winter Wonderland by Goldfrapp. White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes and Enya's Silent Night in Irish are in here too.
• 90s indie rock and beyond: Merry Christmas Everybody by Oasis, Christmastime by The Smashing Pumpkins, Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas by Eels, The Little Drum Machine Boy by Beck, Wonderful Christmastime by The Shins, Little Drummer Boy by The Dandy Warhols and Santa Baby by Wolf Alice.
• Punk and louder: Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) by the Ramones, Little Drummer Boy by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, White Christmas by Bad Religion, Skank for Christmas by Reel Big Fish and Oi to the World by No Doubt.
• Classics with a twist: Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, Father Christmas by The Kinks, Step Into Christmas by Elton John, Thank God It's Christmas by Queen, 2000 Miles by Pretenders, and Peace on Earth with Little Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby and David Bowie.
• Newer favorites: All I Want for Christmas Is You by My Chemical Romance, Christmas Treat by Julian Casablancas, Little Saint Nick by Best Coast, It's Going to Be a Cold Winter by Blossoms and All I Want for Christmas Is New Year's Day by Hurts.

When to play it

Put it on while you decorate the tree, bake, wrap gifts or make dinner. It works best at home with the kids around, since half of it is songs you can sing along to. The punk songs and a few of the indie ones run louder, so preview those before you play them for little ones.

Common questions

How many songs are on Baby Teith's holiday playlist?

67 songs on Spotify.

What kind of music is on it?

New wave, 90s indie rock, shoegaze, punk and a few classics with a twist.

What are good alternative Christmas songs?

Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses, Fairytale of New York by The Pogues, Merry Christmas Everybody by Oasis, Christmas Island by Depeche Mode and Just Like Christmas by Low are a good start.

Are there new wave Christmas songs on it?

Yes. Wham!, The Waitresses, Eurythmics, Pet Shop Boys, Squeeze, Haircut 100, Erasure, DEVO and Depeche Mode are all on it.

Is it okay for kids?

Most of it works at home with the family. A few songs are louder or punkier, so preview those first.

Tell me what's missing

Got a song that says Christmas to you? Tell me on Instagram and I'll see if it belongs.

Want the outfit to match? Shop the Post Punk and New Wave collection.