Merry Christmas. This is the one time of year that we hear or use that word — merry. It means festive, high-spirited, jolly. What a happy word. And nothing makes merry like Christmas music.

No matter what kind of music you prefer or what mood you’re in, you can find it wrapped up in Christmas. You find a reggae version of “Silent Night” and a heavy metal version of “Winter Wonderland.” Do a search on iTunes or Amazon.com and you will find your favorite artist or the ever prolific “various artists” with a Christmas album. The list is longer than Santa’s flight schedule. Even the Ramones have a few Christmas tunes.

So, as my present to all music lovers, I thought I’d put together my own Top 20 list and share some holiday cheer. This isn’t a best-ever or top-selling list. These are just Christmas albums that I consider essential, nostalgic or just plain merry. (I recommend CDs as opposed to downloads, depending on your ear and sound system, for better sound quality.)

At the top of the list has to be “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Originally released in 1965, the album has gone through a few re-releases with changes in cover art, additional songs or other alterations. I prefer the 2006 edition. Guaraldi’s spirited jazz piano and memories of Linus’ soliloquy are reasons why the Charlie Brown in all of us never loses hope.

If you like Guaraldi, chances are that you’ve long been a Dave Brubeck fan. Perhaps more than anyone else, he and Charlie Brown brought jazz to a younger generation. “Hot Jazz for a Cool Night,” released in 1992 includes a Brubeck recording of “We Three Kings” that swings through unconventional time. The rest of the album offers solos from jazz instrumentalists and vocalists who put their own finishing touches to Christmas favorites.

And, of course, Christmas music seems tailor-made for crooners. Harry Connick Jr., Tony Bennett and Michael Buble pour through speakers in malls, restaurants, elevators and offices during the entire commercial season. But the star crooner has to be Frank Sinatra. His 1957 “A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra” can transport you from the rush of Christmas shopping to a relaxed candlelit evening with someone you love.

While we’re at it, let’s throw Dino into the mix. Dean Martin’s 1959 “A Winter Romance” turned “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” into the ultimate snow bunny snuggle fest. Frank’s vocals may be better, but nothing warms the insides like a good shot of Dino. This album is a rarity, so the next best thing is a 2011 Martin compilation “My Kind of Christmas.”

Believe it or not, my other crooner on this list is Rod Stewart. He’s come a long way since his rocker days with Faces and slightly disturbing dabble with disco. “Merry Christmas, Baby,” released this year, injects a healthy splash of spirit with featured guests Cee Lo Green and Trombone Shorty. And if you just can’t live without a splash of Buble, he’s on there, too. The best track is one of my all-time favorite holiday songs. Stewart, with his raspy North London voice, delivers “Auld Lang Syne” with a simple eloquence that lifts a heart-felt glass to all those who have mattered in your life.

For a little whimsy, Leon Redbone’s “Christmas Island” (1988), John Prine’s “A John Prine Christmas” (1993), Jethro Tull’s “The Jethro Tull Christmas Album” (2000) and Los Lonely Boys’ “Christmas Spirit” (2008) prove that Christmas belongs to the wily, the wry, the weird and the rambunctious just as much as it belongs to the reverent.

And like a dash of cinnamon, a little R&B can add spice to anything. “This Is Christmas” (1995) by Luther Vandross lends a sultry sway to the festivities. You might be surprised when you open these packages at just how rich their musical gifts are.

Let’s not forget that Christmas is actually a religious holiday. The story of Christ’s birth and the messages of hope and peace continue to reach us through music. A true testimony of ceaseless faith, Mahalia Jackson sang with powerful conviction. “Silent Night: Songs for Christmas” (1962) includes a recording of “Go Tell It On the Mountain” that will lift your spirits beyond the holiday season. For absolute grandeur, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s 1990 “Joy to the World” resounds in perfect, glorious vocal harmony.

Now for the truly classical classics. Christmas has to include Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite.” Two wooden soldiers sit on top of our piano to guard against evil rats and to make sure that sugarplum fairies have a place to dance. You can find dozens of recordings, but this year’s release by Andrw Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra is superb. If you want to turn the volume down, I recommend “String Quartet Christmas Vol. 1-3” with Arturo Delmoni, released in 2010. This three-CD set completes a classical music library that provides pleasure all year. Of course, no one can deliver “Ava Maria” as spectacularly as Luciano Pavarotti. For a truly exquisite audio feast, “Luciano Pavarotti: O Holy Night” (1976) delights the palate and satiates the soul.

For really low-key Christmas music, try “A Steinway Christmas Album” (2011) by Jeffrey Beigel. An unadorned piano never fails to bring out the simple pleasures like icicles sparkling in the morning sun and snowflakes fluttering on moonlit nights.

Even more crystal clear than winter’s ice is Celine Dion’s voice. Her “These Are Special Times” (1992) album is understated beauty. Adding a different kind of charm and equally touching is Willie Nelson with his 1979 release “Pretty Paper.” George Strait sends a “Merry Christmas Strait To You” (1986) with a Texas swing attitude that makes up for the lack of snow.

My list cannot be complete without “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957). His version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” makes me think of the many homes I’ve had but especially my childhood one on the Mississippi River. In addition to the ultimate Elvis Christmas song, “Blue Christmas,” this album also includes a couple of my gospel favorites: “Peace in the Valley” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” I miss those hymn books from back home.

But my home is here now. It is with my own family — my husband and children. It is with dear friends past and present. And the music goes everywhere with me and always makes me feel at home. So my wish for you and your family this year is to “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” — and to be merry as often as you can.

Emily Tuttle is a freelance writer living in Minot. Her e-mail address is [email protected].

Rod Stewart’s “Merry Christmas, Baby”

1. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Vince Guaraldi Trio, 1965

2. “Hot Jazz For A Cool Night,” various artists, 1992

3. “A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra,” Frank Sinatra, 1957

4. “A Winter Romance,” Dean Martin, 1959

5. “Merry Christmas, Baby,” Rod Stewart, 2012

6. “Christmas Island,” Leon Redbone, 1988

7. “A John Prine Christmas,” John Prine, 1993

8. “The Jethro Tull Christmas Album,” Jethro Tull, 2000

9. “Christmas Spirit,” Los Lonely Boys, 2008

10. “This Is Christmas,” Luther Vandross, 1995

11. “Silent Night: Songs for Christmas,” Mahalia Jackson, 1962

12. “Joy To The World,” Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 1990

13. “The Nutcracker,” Andre Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra, 2012

14. “A String Quartet Christmas, Vol. 1-3,” Arturo Delmoni and friends, 2010

15. “Luciano Pavarotti: O Holy Night,” Luciano Pavarotti, 1976

16. “A Steinway Christmas Album,” Jeffrey Beigel, 2011

17. “These Are Special Times,’ Celine Dion, 1992

18. “Merry Christmas Strait To You,” George Strait, 1986

19. “Pretty Paper,” Willie Nelson, 1979

20. “Elvis’ Christmas Album,” Elvis Presley, 1957