It’s official. Mariah Carey is still the reigning Lady of Christmas Carols as “All I Want for Christmas” spends the last days of 2024 atop of the Billboard singles chart. However, I don’t think this beloved song of hers, which formed part of her 1994 album “Merry Christmas” and later gained further fame as part of the soundtrack of the 2003 film “Love Actually,” is a carol in the traditional sense. But it sure has seen enough holidays, twenty years to be exact, to warrant calling it a Yule standard. Written by Carey and Walter Afanasief, having a recurring song every season is a dream for songwriters looking to contribute that will last beyond a fad.  

A close second is Brenda Lee with “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” First released in 1958, this song did not chart until 1960. Brenda Lee, sounding like a robust-voiced singer wise in experience, recorded this when she was only thirteen. This rockabilly-lite-tinged song put some much-needed pep into the Yule playlist of yore, mainly composed of traditional carols and crooning balladeers. This song, written by Johnny Marks, still shines and brings instant yule vibes 65 years after it was first released.

Taking third place is Wham with “Last Christmas.” First released in 1984, “Last Christmas” capped a perfect year for Andrew Ridgeley and George Michaels after a big breakout at the charts with “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” The song is the A-side to the non-yule song “Everything She Wants” and spent 5 weeks at number two on the charts despite being released relatively late as Christmas songs go (Dec. 3). What is the reason why it didn’t reach the top spot then? It was the same year “Do They Know It’s Christmas” was released, and it featured a bevy of UK pop stars on its roster.

Making my Yule playlist this 2024 is Sabrina Carpenter’s “Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I Do.” It's quite understandable, seeing as it’s a breakout year for S.C. There seem to be borrowed bits of melodies from “Last Christmas” in there, but Sabrina only teases it enough not to warrant a lawsuit. But on its own, this is a good song about wanting someone for warmth (wink-wink) this Christmas. Of course, I’m also biased towards short n’ sweet Sabrina Carpenter.  

A special mention to Arianna Grande’s “Santa Tell Me,” whose vibe feels like a much more modern take to “All I Want For Christmas.” But other than vibe and feel, it pretty much stands on its own, and besides, It’s Ariana. Released only last November, its time on the charts will seem like it's fleeting, like the waning days of the Holidays, but let’s see what happens to it down the line.

And with 2025 just a day or two away, it’s time to write down those New Year’s resolutions.

What I can say about that is, do something that you’ve really been wanting to change or do for yourself. Something you’ve been really meaning to accomplish even before this New Year’s resolution nonsense. I have wanted to stop smoking for years and have been at it on and off, only to see myself buying a dating tinge at the neighborhood sari-sari store until, finally, I was ready to give it up. And that was five years ago, back in 2020, when I said no more.    

Yes, I know some resolutions are meant to be thrown out three days into the new year.  But don’t beat yourself up when you do. You have the whole of 2025 to work on yourself.

So make it count.