It’s not the trees, decorations, or recipes that people turn to when they want to kick off the Christmas season, but rather it’s the music that provides them an anthem as they walk into their own winter wonderlands.

Songs like “Last Christmas” by Wham!, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey, and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee have become staples among many others as Christmas anthems that are perfect to get one into the holiday mindset.

Even though there is something sweet and nostalgic about listening to the same songs over and over as the calendar nears December 25, it can get old very quickly. To avoid becoming annoyed with your favorite Christmas music before the holiday even arrives, try listening to some original Christmas music produced by some of this decade’s most notable artists and musicians.

A great place to start on your new Christmas music journey is to look towards one of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century: Elton John. Last year John released a single with pop artists Ed Sheeran titled “Merry Christmas.”

Both major artists of their times, the musicians collaborated to make a fun, upbeat Christmas song that has influences derived from modern pop while keeping a classic Christmas tune with jingle bells helping keep beat. The song is sure to please both fans of the classics and those who prefer something a little more current.

Another artist offering both spectacular covers and her own original music is country singer Kacey Musgraves. Approximately a year after Musgraves received the prestigious award for Album of the Year at the 2019 Grammy Awards, she hosted her own Christmas special on Prime Video during which she performed songs off her 2016 album titled A Very Kacey Christmas.

Among her covers, listeners will find original songs like “Present Without A Bow” featuring Leon Bridges, “Glittery” featuring Troye Sivan, and “A Willie Nice Christmas” featuring none other than Willie Nelson.

The songs are reminiscent of other Christmas favorites like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Santa Baby” with similar instrumentals but with a country twist.

Musgraves’s beautiful voice accompanied by her charming southern accent gives the music a friendly and welcoming tone, a necessity for all Christmas music.

Taylor Swift, a top artist across the genres of country, pop, and folk, is sure to make this list given that she grew up on a Christmas tree farm. Her 2019 single, appropriately titled “Christmas Tree Farm” immediately became many of Swift’s fans’ go-to holiday song.

The track sounds like something out of a Hallmark movie in the best way possible. Violins, jingle bells, and beautiful layered background vocals make this song feel like a classic although it has been around for less than four years.

Adding her trademark charm onto her third Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, Dolly Parton reminds listeners that she makes music for all occasions. Like Musgraves, her album consists of both covers and original music with featured artists sprinkled in throughout the track list. New songs by Parton include “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas” featuring Michael Bublé, “Comin’’ Home For Christmas,” and “Pretty Paper” featuring Willie Nelson.

Whether you are the kind of person who only listens to Christmas music during the month of December or prefers to blast it all year round, new and original music for the holiday season is abundant and ready to help celebrate this time of year.