Interesting Christmas Carols and Holiday Mashups

I am ambivalent about Christmas songs. I can't deny the nostalgia, melancholy, excitement, and fuzzy feelings that I sometimes feel in response to Christmas music. At the same time, I get tired of listening to the same collection of songs.

The music industry does it's best to revitalize these songs each year, but for me, the new output usually amplifies the staleness that I already feel about Christmas carols and the lack of free parameters that exist around Christmas tradition.

I respect the production quality and talent that goes into producing new Christmas albums each year. And there is nothing wrong with reboots - I'm sure there are a host of people who relish the familiarity of the same song wrapped a new voice and updated production. I'm one of those people sometimes, but usually not.

I love independent musicians that give themselves the freedom to redesign carols in more novel ways. I also love haunting/mysterious traditional and instrumental Christmas music. Here are some of my favorite offerings. I wouldn't listen to all of these songs to get into the Christmas spirit, but they are all fun to listen to.:

Chase Holfelder - CHRISTMAS CAROLS in a MINOR KEY!

This video is a before/after collection of Christmas carols sung in major then minor key. For complete songs in minor, visit Chase's channel.

Welcome To The Christmas Parade - Mariah Carey vs. My Chemical Romance (Mashup)

Don't know how to feel about this one, but defiintely unexpected.

12 Days of Troye - DAY #12 | Touch Christmas - Troye Sivan & Mariah Carey Mashup!

Another Mariah Carey mashup.

Nutcracker - Trepak (Russian Dance) [Accordion Cover]

Have you ever seen someone play the accordian? It's kind of amazing.

Russian Church Choir Christmas Chants

These voices will transport you to a Russian monastery on a snowy mountain.

Carol Of The Bells on Handdrum

I have a soft spot for Carol of the Bells and the hand drum has a magical sound.

Paint - Progressive Christmas Carols

AsapSCIENCE- Science Christmas Carols ft. Jon Cozart (aka Paint)

Carolf of the Bells + Game of Thrones

This year I decided to revisit a Game of Thrones / Carol of The Bells mashup that I created a couple of years ago. I published it on DTube, along with a slideshow of fantastic fanart. It turns out, several artists have done their own version of this mashup. Here are some of my favorites.

L.E.J - Game Of Bells

Game of Carols (Carol of the Bells Game of Thrones) for Brass Quintet

Carol Of The Thrones (piano duet cover)

Carol of the Thrones - Game of Thrones / Carol of the Bells mashup by Kasha

Carol of Thrones - Game of Thrones Mashup Composition

Finally, there is my own version of this mashup. Also threw in some Final Fantasy VI and beautiful fanart.

What do you listen to around Christmas?

Do you have any suggestions for me or favorite song versions you always listen to? Let me know in the comments!