In the UK The Pogues’ *Fairytale of New York * (1987) and to a lesser extent Jona Lewie’s Stop the Cavalry (1980) have become firm Christmas favourites, despite the rather unfestive nature of the lyrics. Certainly they are both tunes that can cause a mass sing-a-long in a public drinking establishment.
I came in here to mention this one; I hear it quite a lot each Christmas.
In fact, didn’t Mariah Carey do an entire album of Christmas music?
Although quite obviously not a Christmas song, its still a holiday song, Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah Song is the most recent I can remember that now gets played every year.
And even though I’m not particularly a fan of him, that song is pretty good!
When a child is born
It is certainly very popular here in Au
I’ve never heard it, but that’s not to say it isn’t popular in some parts of the country…
I would say a Christmas standard is one that was written by a songwriter, not a singer/songwriter, and so isn’t connected exclusively to one person. My vote is for We Need a Little Christmas, from 1956.
Grown up Christmas List?
Originally recorded in 1990, first made a hit by Amy Grant when she recorded it in 1992 and according to Wikipedia:
“The song has been frequently covered by other artists, including B.J. Thomas in 1997, Donny Osmond in 1998, Monica in 2000, Barbra Streisand in 2001, Ginette Reno in 2002, Kelly Clarkson in 2003, Michael Bublé in 2003, Lea Salonga in 2004, Jane Monheit in 2005, Clay Aiken in 2006, Ayla Brown in 2007, and The Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus in 2008. Clarkson’s 2003 version was the first version to make any of Billboard’s singles chart; her rendition peaked at #17 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart during the Christmas season of 2003. The song was also covered in Spanish by Luis Miguel.”
So I think it’s fair to say this one is on its way to becoming a standard.
Agreed but even more so would be their Christmas Canon I have been hearing that everywhere.
Of all the songs mentioned so far, this is the one I would agree is a “standard” in that I hear it multiple times every season, and has the most recent original composition/release date. (I have not heard of the Trans Siberian Orchestra, or the songs Friar Ted mentioned).
I don’t quite get sciurophobic’s distinction between “songwriter” and “singer/songwriter”. Artists cover songs all the time, what’s so special about a songwriter who doesn’t perform the song initially?
Other recent “additions to the holiday canon” not yet mentioned:
The Waitresses, “Christmas Wrapping” (1981)
Wham!, “Last Christmas” (1984) (This got covered recently by a woman in a dance remix, and even by (shudder) Crazy Frog)
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Because when I think of “standards” I think of songs written before the rock era, back when singers didn’t write their own songs.
I think this is it.
In the UK/Ireland on Music channels they show more recent christmas songs, but I don’t know about radio play. Avid Merrion’s Proper Chrimbo, The Darkness’ *Merry Christmas (Don’t Let The Bells End) *and Merry Christmas (My Arse) all get heavy play on those stations. They’re all from the last 5 or so years. This songs would be largely unknown across the pond though.
Er…I’ve never heard it. I’ve never heard of it. There’s apparently 50 brazilian covers out there as well. WTF?
Here is the original on youtube. I don’t listen to the radio much, but I can’t help but hearing this song while shopping or on television at least a few times during the holidays. And I’m not a Mariah Carey fan, but it really is a great song.
This one would be my choice. If it isn’t in the pantheon yet, it’s pretty close.
I noticed Billy Idols “Yelling at The Christmas Tree” seemed to be getting a lot of airplay this year.
Those who have said ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ have it right 
‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)’ could be next (at least here in the UK), but its too early to tell yet.