25 of the best-ever romantic Christmas love songs

This is one of the most loving times of the year. If you’re single, there’s lots of warmth and inspiration around to keep looking for love while, for couples, the romance in the air is irresistible. You just need one more thing: a playlist of Christmas love songs to keep that loving feeling bright all December long.

Indeed, if Christmas music can be the perfect way to create a festive mood, Christmas love songs go one step further; blending romance and yuletide magic to create a feeling of secure love and lasting goodwill.

That’s why we’ve combed through decades of seasonal love songs to create the perfect romantic Spotify® playlist for the festive season. Let the ultimate happy Christmas begin!

25 of the all-time best Christmas love songs

1. All I Want for Christmas is You – Mariah Carey
Because it’s one of the ultimate Christmas love songs from one of the ultimate divas.
Lovely lyric: Make my wish come true/Baby, all I want for Christmas is you

2. Christmas Everyday – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
For when you and your love make that happy, romantic, festive feeling last all year long.
Lovely lyric: Baby, I’m in love with you, and if you say you love me too/ it would be Christmas every day.

3. Kissin’ by the Mistletoe – Aretha Franklin
People have been kissing by mistletoe for centuries; add Aretha and you get a perfect slice of festive retro romance.
Lovely lyric: Kissin’ by the mistletoe, love came to stay/And now it’s Christmas every day

4. Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding
With Otis Redding’s warm vocals to the joyful trumpets, this is the ideal song to make you feel loved and cosy from the inside out.
Lovely lyric: A merry Christmas, honey, everything here is beautiful

5. The Christmas Song – The Ravonettes
From fir trees to festive markets, a Nordic Christmas screams romance. Get a sense of the warmth with this Danish duo’s sweet song.
Lovely lyric: I don’t feel like going home now/I wish that I could stay

READ MORE: Christmas cheer isn’t just for couples! We’ve found great tips for being happily single at Christmas

6. Christmas Kisses – Ray Anthony & His Bookends
The perfect song to remind you that the best Christmas present is being with those you love.
Lovely lyric: After the mistletoe is hung, the tree is trimmed, the carols sung/I want (ooh ooh ooh) your Christmas kisses

7. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses
A classic Christmas love song that follows a woman’s year of missed chances with a certain guy – that is, until festive fate intervenes.
Lovely lyric: That Christmas magic’s brought this tale/to a very happy ending

8. This Christmas – Donny Hathaway
A little romantic, a little soulful, a little sexy, this is the ideal song to play if you’re planning a loved-up Christmas for two.
Lovely lyric: And as I look around/Your eyes outshine the town, they do/ this Christmas

9. Warm December – Julie London
All festive playlists need some retro swing, and Julie London provides it in spades. Listen while curled up close to your sweetie.
Lovely lyric: This heart that glows like an ember/Longs to be loved just by you

10. Winter Weather – Peggy Lee
It might be summer in NZ, but this song will still make you want a Christmas cuddle. Put this on and get close!
Lovely lyric: I love the winter weather/Because I’ve got my love to keep me warm

READ MORE: Looking for great date ideas this summer? Try our date ideas for Auckland and for Wellington

11. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! – Frank Sinatra
In Frank’s neck of the woods they are all about warm love in a cold climate. Here it’s warmer, but this song remains an absolute classic (you may want to skip the fire though!)
Lovely lyric: But if you really hold me tight/All the way home I’ll be warm

12. A Marshmallow World – Dean Martin
Take a walk on the beach instead of following Dean Martin’s tops for snowy strolls – it’ll be just as romantic
Lovely lyric: It’s a yum-yummy world made for sweethearts/Take a walk with your favorite girl

13. All My Christmases – Jillian Edwards
Even in NZ, true Christmas lovers can relate to the desire for a festive winter wedding; there’s the romance of twinkling lights, snow, and the promise of lasting love to get you through many winters to come.
Lovely lyric: Every Christmas from now on /I’ll be here, by your side

14. Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) – Elvis Presley
One sure to strike a chord with those in long-distance relationships, Elvis perfectly captures the antsy feeling of waiting to spend some time with your beloved.
Lovely lyric: It sure won’t seem like Christmas/Until my baby’s here

15. Sleigh Ride – The Ronnettes
Sometimes all you need to make a hit Christmas love song is sheer, adorable enthusiasm.
Lovely lyric: We’re snuggled up together/Like two birds of a feather would be

READ MORE: Are you feeling your festive enthusiasm flagging? Get re-inspired with these love lessons from romantic Christmas movies

16. That’s What I Want for Christmas – Nancy Wilson
The Beatles say all you need is love; Nancy Wilson proves that’s even true at Christmas.
Lovely lyric: Kiss me, and say you love me, love me, love me/That’s what I want for Christmas

17. Winterlude – Bob Dylan
While not strictly a Christmas song this is still one of the prettiest wintertime waltzes out there – and the love pouring out of the lyrics makes it a must-listen.
Lovely lyric: Oh, I see by the angel beside me/ that love has a reason to shine

18. May Ev’ry Day Be Christmas – Irma Thomas
Although this tune sounds like an old beloved jazz standard, it’s actually from 2012 – showing that the desire for happy Christmas love is timeless.
Lovely lyric: At night time comes a longing to be with ones you love/ To sit around the fireside and dream of stars above

19. I’d Like You for Christmas – Julie London
Of course there is something special about the real old standards, like this sexy-sweet-lovely number from the incomparable Julie London.
Lovely lyric: I’d like you for Christmas/ Please make my wish come true

20. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm – Dean Martin
Speaking of classics, this is surely one of (if not the) greatest Christmas love songs. There are many versions out there but no-one nails it quite like Dean Martin.
Lovely lyric: What do I care if icicles form/I’ve got my love to keep me warm

READ MORE: Love mushy music? We’ve found 100 of the best love songs for all seasons

21. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Michael Bublé
If there’s a modern-day singer who can make a famous Christmas love ballad his own, it’s Bublé, you can count on that.
Lovely lyric: Christmas eve will find me/Where the love light gleams

22. Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea
Not all love songs are romantic, some are simply about the love of family. Chris Rea perfectly captures that half excited, half frustrated feeling you get when heading home for the festive season.
Lovely lyric: I’m driving home for Christmas/Oh, I can’t wait to see those faces

23. Underneath the Tree – Kelly Clarkson
Love sing-shouting to Mariah at Christmas? Then this equally joyful festive belter will appeal.
Lovely lyric: Presents, what a beautiful sight/Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight

24. Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt’s ode to spoiling oneself at Christmas has to be one of the all-time best festive love songs for singles. Even for those in couples, this is the ideal reminder to treat yo’ self, too.
Lovely lyric: Santa baby, a 54 convertible too, Light blue/I’ll wait up for you dear

25. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? – Nancy Wilson
And so Christmas arrives, and with it the next big question for anyone with a crush or who is in a new relationship: what are you doing New Year’s Eve?
Lovely lyric: Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight/When it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night