Tis the season to be jolly -- especially while listening to all of your favorite holiday music. Many of your favorite artists often release Christmas albums this time of year, and in 2016 that includes Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan. The Canadian singer/songwriter released her first Christmas album in ten years, since 2006's top 10 Billboard 200 record Wintersong, and its' called Wonderland.
Wonderland features 11 Christmas songs , all of which are classics of the holiday, including "The Christmas Song," "Let It Snow," "Silver Bells," and more. The record was released on October 21st via Verve Records, and hit No. 5 on the US Top Holiday Albums chart.
Sarah recently told us all about Wonderland during an exclusive interview when she stopped by iHeartRadio HQ in New York City. She explains that she began creating this album back in January, right after Christmas last year. She says, "I basically kept Christmas going right until June when [Wonderland was] mastered mixed." And her favorite Christmas carols include "All Come All Ye Faithful," "The Huron Carol," and "Oh Holy Night," which are all included in her new Christmas album.
All of these songs are perfect for her holiday traditions, which she tells us include an annual potluck on Christmas Eve, and baking shortbread with her daughters. "We do an open house every December 24th, and anybody and everybody comes over. It's potluck because I want to keep it simple, and we just all hang out, and sing songs. I kick everybody out around ten o'clock, and the kids sleep underneath the Christmas tree waiting for Santa. We do a lot of baking as well. I have two daughters, so we cook a lot and bake a lot."
Sarah McLachlan Picks Songs On 'Wonderland' That Are Perfect For Your Holiday Traditions
Whether it's decorating the tree or baking your favorite holiday treat, holiday music is always great to have on while you're participating in these annual traditions. So, we asked Sarah which songs from Wonderland would be perfect for different holiday activities. Check it out below!
1. The song to listen to as you sip hot cocoa by the fire
"'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire' ['The Christmas Song'] -- that's the first thing that comes to mind. Sitting by a fire on a warm wintery night, and the snow is coming down, and you're all tucked in and cozy with your loved ones -- seems perfect."
2. The song to listen to while you're decorating the tree
"'Let it Snow.' I just think, again, you're tucked inside, and it seems cozy and warm, and you're hopefully with your loved ones decorating the tree. I did it with my daughters and their friends. I sort of put them to work, but it's just really fun. It's something you do every year, and it's just getting into the festive spirit."
3. The song to listen to while you're eating Christmas dinner
"Maybe 'Winter Wonderland.' They are light and sweet songs, and happy, and everybody is hopefully in a good mood not talking about Trump or anything else, no politics, no religion, just spending time together. Loving each other."
4. The song to listen to while you're making shortbread
"Maybe 'All Come All Ye Faithful.' [It] calms everybody down, and puts them in a nice, relaxed mood so they can make sure that they get all the ingredients right."
5. The song to listen to on Christmas eve.
"'Angels We Have Heard on High.' Well, that's my version; it's sort of a little more upbeat, and spiritual, and fun, and kind of effervescent. It's a good one for Christmas eve."