For the past two weeks I've been waking up to what's inevitable this time of year — Christmas music. Uhg, the same ole same ole can get a little monotonous after a while for music snobs such as myself. So, before you dust off Bing Crosby's White Christmas or dig through your collection to find that compilation of unknowns doing the all too familiar — let Whalereviews give you some suggestions. Maybe it'll keep you dashing through that Winter Wonderland instead of slaying someone in it.

They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants In Holidayland, 2001
Always spunky, this EP is a good starter for a long night of hanging lights, pounding beers, shaving kittens, or whatever you do to get ready for Christmas.

Sufjan Stevens
Songs For Christmas, 2006
If you're looking for every Christmas song ever made (and then some) this is for you. Clocking in at just over 2 hours and spreading over five volumes this is the most beautiful holiday compilation I've ever found — it's sure to relax and cater to any Christmas spirit.

Vince Guaraldi
A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965
Probably not a new addition to your stack but who can argue with this one? Seriously, I don't know if this'll ever go out of style. Religion!

Various Artists
Christmas On Death Row, 1996
Hey, remember 2Pac and how he was the shining beacon of Death Row Records? Well... he's not on this album, sorry. This album isn't even particularly good — you just can't not love not loving it. You laugh now but all your friends will think you're cool for owning one of the few Christmas albums to brandish a parental advisory sticker.

The Flaming Lips
Christmas On Mars, 2008
Oops! There's that parental advisory again... Is this even technically a Christmas album? Who Cares, it's the Flaming Lips!

Bootsy Collins
Christmas Is 4 Ever, 2006
Have you ever heard this? Yeah, neither have I but it somehow made the list — on sheer merit.

Various Artists
Elf Soundtrack, 2003
This is a great collection of classics — and if you're a fan of the film — it's sure to strike a chord in your Christmasy heart. At least, until the New Year rolls around and you get too shitty to remember any of it.

Henry Rollins
A Lump Of Coal, 1991
When he's not yelling at you he's lining up other bands to create what I can only describe as a "rather interesting" Christmas compilation. I've only heard this album once — like in ninth grade — and the remembrance of it never fails to peek out from behind my hippocampus during the holiday season. But by January it creeps back inwards to hang out with Crystal Pepsi and that time I farted in gym class.

Al Green
White Christmas, 1986
What would seem to be a very vanilla holiday album, isn't. Al Green charms the pants off of the holiday season without becoming dull — so much so that I wanna lay down with the Yuletide and show it some tenderness.

Various Artists
A Colbert Christmas – The Greatest Gift Of All!
This album is the accompaniment to his televised Christmas special of the same name (aired almost an entire month early!). I haven't actually heard this one either but you can't go wrong with Stephen Colbert. It's sure to be a blast of hilarity and a zap of freshness to your holiday music lineup. It's only available for download on iTunes.

Twisted Sister
A Twisted Christmas, 2006
When that fourth cup of egg nog has pushed you over the edge you know it's time for this gem. With Dee Snider's magic touch on the classics you'll be able to trick your brain into thinking it's getting festive traditions when it's really getting men who wore make-up and stretchy-pants. Go ahead, pass out in your Santa suit with class.

And there you have it. Happy holidays.