The playlist to play at your friendmas dinner to get everyone rockin around the Christmas tree

Tis the season … for DnB remixes of the classics

1 year ago | UPDATED 1 year ago

A Christmas playlist is a tragically overlooked part of a successful Christmas dinner and at this time of year it can be hard to cater to everyone, with food and with music.

The complexity of the characters at Bristol means that you can’t just put on any old Spotify Christmas playlist, it’s a real art form.

From your music snob friends, who only listen to indie covers that sound like every other song just with a few extra jingle bells, to your Mariah girlies straight out of Haitt Baker, this playlist’s got something for everyone.

On arrival

It’s important to start on a positively festive note to set the vibe for the rest of the night. Maybe you’ve invited people who haven’t seen each other since last year’s flatcest situation went south, so I recommend commencing your ‘friendmas’ with an agreeable classic: Last Christmas – Wham!

As long as nobody’s reeling from a heartbreak fresher than the winter air, this should get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

When everything’s in the oven

If you’re the chef, it’s likely you’re slightly resentful that you’ve been slaving away for hours before anyone got here. It’s time to treat yourself so that you don’t end up starting the new year friendless, put on your guilty pleasure Christmas song whatever that may be. No one can say anything without the risk of their dinner being tampered with.

My guilty Christmas pleasure is one that has previously raised more than a few eyebrows: Santa Baby – Taylor Swift

You may joke, but a country twang is exactly what the original was missing.

Time to tuck in

The music at this stage has to be versatile because there are a few ways the evening could go from here. You want a song that fits under conversation as well as hopefully satisfied silence but will provide the good vibes that can cancel out any faults in the cooking: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Mariah Carey

This ones good because of the pretty straight forward words that people can sing if they don’t like the person they’ve been put next to at the dinner table.

Turning up the festivity

At this point in the evening, it’s time to head over to Soundcloud. There’s only so much wholesomeness Bristol students can take at any one time, so next up is something baby Jesus certainly wouldn’t approve of.

If the name of this one doesn’t get you interested enough to give it a listen I don’t know what will: Brenda Lee – Rockin Around the Christmas Tree VS. Need for Mirrors Peng A Leng Rollers Mix (Soundcloud)

Please forgive me for this one.

Sounds for when you’re stuffed

It’s time to turn your kitchen into a festive Thekla Thursdays. When everyone’s too full from mince pies and Baileys to do anything but slightly sway, indie covers are the way to go. There are lots to choose from but this is a personal favourite of mine that compliments a game of half-assed charades perfectly: In the Bleak Midwinter – Wolf Alice

This one comes on when you reach the point in the evening where at least a couple of people have had to lie down because they’ve had too much (Christmas) spirit.

Getting everyone to leave

You’ve been slaving away over the stove and you’re knackered. Nobody wants to instigate a departure but you know if ‘friendmas’ doesn’t end soon you’re going to start debating the Bandaid song and somebody’s going to say something that gets held against them ten years from now. The solution: Mistletoe – Justin Bieber

There’s nothing like a bit of prepubescent Bieber to get people heading for the door.

The next day

Success. You made it through another festive season without loosing any friends and you want to be able to say the same about your deposit, it’s time to clean. Here’s one to help you persevere: Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea

The important thing here is the minimal appearance of jingle bells, for when you’ve already got one annoying ringing in your ear.

That’s a wrap on the ‘friendmas’ playlist, arguably the most important ingredient in any Christmas dinner. Now you can go into the new year with the confidence that you successfully managed to bring everyone together with the power of music, and probably more likely the effects of a little too much mulled wine.