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Welcome to my specially curated list of delightfully quirky Christmas songs, perfect for adding a splash of fun to your festive celebrations. While they might veer from quirky into weird, they promise laughter, smiles, and a hearty dose of holiday spirit. After all, isn’t Christmas the best time for a sprinkle of joy and whimsy? Dive in and let these tunes set the stage for a brilliantly offbeat festive season!

13 Quirky Christmas Songs

1. All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth by Spike Jones (1947)

It’s the commitment to the lisp, the horse neigh, and the sneeze accompaniment that puts this squarely in the Number 1 spot for me. This quirky Christmas song was written by Donald Yetter Gardner and recorded by Spike Jones and His City Slickers with lead vocals by George Rock. George Rock played Lead trumpet and also sang with the group. Its humor and relatability to 2nd graders everywhere have made it a surprising staple in holiday music.

2. 12 Days of Christmas by John Denver and The Muppets (1979)

Okay, so this is a personal favorite of mine. Makes the Top 10 Best Christmas Songs for me. The track is from the album “A Christmas Together” featuring John Denver and The Muppets. This playful rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas” features all your favorite Muppets, including Miss Piggy’s unforgettable “five gold rings” contribution. But the real star of the show is Beaker with his Meep-Meep-Meep-Meep-Meep-Meep on the 8th day of Christmas. You can’t help but smile when you listen to this one.

3. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer by Elmo & Patsy (1979)

This comedic holiday ballad, written by Randy Brooks, narrates a bizarre holiday mishap involving Grandma, too much of the funny juice, and Santa’s Reindeer. The song was originally sung by, then-husband and Wife duo Elmo & Patsy.

I remember being a kid and being shocked there was a Christmas song where grandma died at the hands of my beloved Santa and his reindeer. Now as an adult, I find it hilarious. Life is funny that way. Despite its macabre theme, the song’s humorous lyrics make it a festive favorite for those looking for a good chuckle.

4. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey (1953)

Sung by 10-year-old Gayla Peevey, this quirky tune quickly became a massive hit and remains a staple in the quirky Christmas classics. The song even inspired a real hippo gift to the Oklahoma City Zoo!

5. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch by Thurl Ravenscroft (1966)

No list of quirky Christmas songs would be complete without this one. Thurl Ravenscroft’s deep voice paired with the eccentric lyrics about the grumpy Grinch perfectly captures this character and makes this tune a holiday standout. It’s become a beloved classic, synonymous with the iconic green character who learned the true meaning of Christmas.

Jim Carry’s version is no slouch either but I had to keep it real and go with the original.

6. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late) by The Chipmunks (1958)

This unforgettable tune features The Chipmunks – Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. It has everything you want from the Chipmunks and a Christmas song. Catchy, cute, and complete with the classic “ALLLLLLVIN!” call from Dave. Despite its novelty, it won three Grammy Awards and remains a peculiar holiday favorite.

7. Nuttin’ for Christmas by Various Artists (1955)

Written by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett, this festive novelty song took the 1955 holiday season by storm. It graced Billboard’s pop charts by multiple artists. The standout version by Art Mooney and His Orchestra, featuring a young six-year-old Barry Gordon as the lead singer, climbed to No. 6 and achieved million-seller status. Its humorous theme, combined with a lively, comedic tune, certainly earns it a place on this list of charmingly unusual holiday songs.

There are many popular versions of this song but my favorite is the version performed by Stan Freberg. It’s exactly what I think the boy singing this song would sound like and at the end a burglar joins in on the final course. It’s adorably hilarious.

8. Christmas in Hollis by RUN DMC (1987)

This track broke barriers as one of the first widely recognized Christmas rap songs. The first 5 seconds of this song are iconic and the only Christmas song to have scratching in it. On top of all that Run DMC gives us a heartwarming tale of finding Santa’s lost wallet and giving back to those less fortunate.

9. Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses (1981)

This is one heck of a Christmas bop and I bet you have heard this song before even if you don’t realize it as it’s been in many movies and shows. This new-wave Christmas song tells a modern, urban holiday story of a single woman in NYC for the holidays, complete with busy holiday schedules and missed love connections. It’s become a quirky holiday classic for its unique narrative and catchy hook.

10. Dominic the Donkey by Lou Monte (1960)

Not the Hee-Haw in a Christmas song. Yup! This wonderfully peculiar song has become a cult classic in recent years. Dominic isn’t your typical Christmas character, but this Italian Christmas donkey has a charm all his own. The catchy melody and Monte’s animated storytelling bring Dominic’s story to life, making it a fun and festive addition to our list.

11. Jingle Bells as Performed by The Singing Dogs (1955)

This unusual version of “Jingle Bells” features a chorus of dogs ‘singing’ along. Danish musician Carl Weismann recorded various dog breeds barking, then edited and pitched the sounds to create this novelty hit.

I mean it’s dogs…barking out Jingle Bells. There is no doubt that’s quirky.

12. I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas by Yogi Yorgesson (1949)

Okay, look…we are starting to get real out there towards the end of this list. Let’s kick off the weird with “I Yust Go Nuys at Christmas”. Written and performed by Harry Stewart in 1949, this Christmas novelty song showcases him as the fictional Swede, “Yogi Yorgesson”.

Part song and part story – Yorgesson’s exaggerated Swedish accent and the hilarious story he tells triggered by holiday-induced stress make this a delightful addition to the weirder side of holiday music.

13. The Twelve Pains of Christmas by Bob Rivers (1988)

A hilarious parody that underscores the sometimes stressful side of holiday preparations, from facing in-laws to rigging up the lights. It’s a relatable and funny twist on the classic “Twelve Days of Christmas”.

YouTube Playlist For 13 Quirky Christmas Classics

Check out the complete playlist below from our HOW TO CHRISTMAS YouTube Channel

So there you have it, a total of 13 quirky Christmas songs to liven up your holiday festivities. They might be a little strange, but they’re sure to bring plenty of smiles, laughs, and festive cheer. Remember, Christmas is a time for joy and a little silliness! Enjoy these tunes and have a wonderfully wacky holiday season!