Christmas songs: the best and the worst

Whack on some Mariah Carey but leave the Cliff Richard to grandma

Mariah Carey's Christmas classic 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' is still guaranteed a spin at the office party

With Christmas Day just two weeks away, we are officially in the midst of festive party season.

Mulled wine, check. Sparkly dress, check. Mistletoe and baubles, check.

But what about the all-important soundtrack?

See here for the top 50 Christmas songs

Surefire hits to kick-start your office do include Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" and "Step Into Christmas" from Sir Elton John.

Long-term favourite "Fairytale of New York" from The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl is the ideal emotional closer before stumbling home, while Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" has mistletoe kisses stamped all over it.

Cliff Richard? Not so hot. Neither is anything by Justin Bieber - give us one day's breather please, Biebs. Lady Gaga may have dressed up as a Christmas tree for the Jingle Bell Ball last weekend but she, too, is best steered clear of when compiling your party playlist.

The top ten Christmas crackers...

"Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree" - Brenda Lee

"Santa Baby" - Eartha Kitt

"Just Like Christmas" - Low

"Fairytale of New York" - The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl

"Merry Xmas Everybody" - Slade

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" - Mariah Carey

"I Wish It Was Christmas Today" - Julian Casablancas

"Jingle Bell Rock" - Bobby Helms

"Step Into Christmas" - Elton John

"Lonely This Christmas" - Mud

...and ten to leave off the party playlist

"Mistletoe and Wine" - Cliff Richard

"Christmas Lights" - Coldplay

"Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" - Ben Crosby and David Bowie

"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)" - Alvin and the Chipmunks

"Mistletoe" - Justin Bieber

"Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" - Elmo and Patsy

"Christmas Tree" - Lady Gaga

"Funky, Funky Xmas" - New Kids on the Block

"Have a Cheeky Christmas" - The Cheeky Girls

"Silent Night" - David Hasselhoff

This article features "Listen With Spotify"