Christmas melodies have been spiraling around during the holiday as early as the 1500s, filling  households with holiday spirit and being used as a way to celebrate the season. Originating from hymns, the genre of christmas music has now transformed into a diverse array of classics and contemporary hit songs that define the holiday season. Around the 14th to 16th centuries, Christmas music mainly contained songs like “ Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Adeste Fideles”, which emphasized and reflected mainly on the religious aspect of the holiday. As the years went by, the evolution of Christmas music changed drastically by incorporating festive themes and cheerful melodies. The mid-20th century witnessed a rise of iconic classics like “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin and “Jingle bell rock” by Bobby Helms. These songs brought upbeat tunes encapsulating the nostalgic and heartwarming feels associated with the season, and set themselves as holiday classic favorites. The evolution of older classics into newer hits have been evident as artists frequently reinterpret and cover traditional songs, and infuse them with their own style of music. “Santa baby,” originally sung by Eartha Kitt in the 1950s, hit the radios again when Ariana Grande covered it. Grande’s version blended her signature style with the classic holiday tune giving it a modern twist while still honoring its original roots. It wouldn’t be the holiday season without hearing Mariah Carey’s hit “All I want for Christmas is you”. This song is Carey’s original song and seems to circle back every year as listeners enjoy the modern pop sensibility alongside the holiday sound which in many cases can resonate deeply with newer audiences. As songs play from the radio or as background music in shopping centers they are able to invoke feelings of joy and nostalgia. Serving as a backdrop to holiday traditions and enhancing the feeling of togetherness during the holiday season, Christmas music is one thing that is always brought with the season. Individuals form personal connections with specific christmas songs linking them to memories of family gatherings, childhood festivities, and personal experiences. “Growing up I always heard Christmas songs on the radio and that’s how I knew Christmas was close. It wouldn’t be the holiday season without the music being a part of it”, said Senior Cristian Castro on his connection with the music. The commercialization of Christmas music is able to heighten the festive atmosphere and fuels the anticipation and excitement for the holiday season. Recently, newer artists have been infusing the holiday genre with other genres ranging from jazz to R&B and even rock. The diversity ensures that there is a song tailored to suit every taste of music. The evolution of christmas music shows the evolving nature of the holiday itself while retaining some of the earlier traditions. These songs serve as timeless connectors between generations, uniting people through melodies that define the magic of the season. The continuous representation of these classics signifies the adaptability the music has across different individuals and generations. These modern covers that are made to older classics keep the nostalgia of the season alive while introducing them to new audiences. Whether you’re walking around a shopping center, scrolling through social media or simply listening to the radio, once you hear the holiday music you are sent into the season and filled with the joy it brings. As there are now many options for christmas music the final question stands, Which holiday song will be playing out of your device this season?