Tired of Mariah Carey? These contemporary Christmas classics will rock your jingle bells.

The pop trifecta of Christmas chanteuses — Mariah Carey, Brenda Lee and Darlene Love — take over the airwaves just as soon as the door closes on Thanksgiving. While their classics are timeless, it seems like there hasn't been a new entry to the Christmas canon since Carey's 1994 smash hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and it's starting to show.

If radio stations and holiday playlist song choices are starting to sound as if they're stuck on repeat, there are a surprising number of festive bops released since the millennium that deserve more attention. Take a listen to some of our favorite seasonal song choices.

"Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande (2014)

Once upon a time, people were calling Ariana Grande the next coming of Mariah Carey. While that comparison perhaps isn't as apt as it once was, you can hear why on Grande's lone holiday song.

In the nearly 10 years since she dropped it as a one-off single in 2014, Grande's "Santa Tell Me" has proven to be timeless. While it's beat makes it feel inherently current, the sing-song-y chorus, background jingle bells and the songstress's irresistible voice make it a perfect modern holiday song. It's one that I look forward to adding back into my rotation every holiday season. That final minute — when the gospel choir pipes in and Ari delivers her signature falsetto riffs — is a Christmas miracle unto itself. — Gibson Johns

"Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber, Under the Mistletoe (2011)

Even if you say you aren't a Belieber, "Mistletoe" will make you one — at least for the holiday season. It's a much more mellow track than the standard holiday fare this time of year, and while the sleigh bell sounds are kept to a minimum, it still has plenty of cheer. Plus, you get to hear a pubescent Justin Bieber back when he was really at the peak of his teen pop powers. What's not to love? — Lily Herman

"The Christmas Waltz" by JohnnySwim, A JohnnySwim Christmas (2014)

This is a beautiful cover by the soul/folk songwriting duo Johnnyswim. Married duo Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez are truly in love with each other, and you can hear it in how Sudano — the daughter of Donna Summer — opens this enchanting cover.

Whenever they perform, the couple serenades each other onstage, which is very sweet. Give their entire Christmas album a listen if you'd like to inject some romance into your playlist. — Colin Campbell

"Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)" by The Darkness, Permission to Land ... Again (20th Anniversary Edition) (2003)

Unitarded Britrockers the Darkness out-glammed Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" and Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day," out-Tapped Spinal Tap's "Christmas With the Devil" and even managed to slip two naughty double-entendres right past BBC censors to score a No. 2 U.K. single with this brilliantly camp carol in 2003.

As Justin Hawkins rides his sleigh again, if you hear his choirboy falsetto and don't crack a big pinewood smile, clearly you don’t believe in a thing called Christmas cheer and deserve a lump of coal in your (spandex) stocking. — Lyndsey Parker

"Dipset X-mas Time," by Jim Jones feat. Mel Matrix and Stack Bundles, A Dipset X-Mas (2006)

"Dipset X-mas Time" is a modern holiday classic that is somehow as sincere as it is deeply weird. While the opening track from the 2006 album A Dipset X-mas is certainly not the first foray from a hip-hop group into holiday music, it may be the only one to reference narcotics trafficking, presumably unsanctioned street racing and generous holiday shopping for loved ones with such regularity.

Throughout the song, Jones, Matrix and Bundles deftly balance self-satire with genuine holiday cheer — the interpolation of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" is clever and delightful — but the degree to which comedy was Jones's original intention is not entirely clear. The song's unique style of confident whimsy without a hint of sarcasm arguably redefines the holiday music genre, making it an unmissable addition to any discerning listener's festive playlist. — Sam Matthews

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by DMX (2012)

That Power 105.1 interviewer really couldn't have anticipated what she was starting. DMX popped into the New York radio station around Christmastime in 2012 when his interviewer printed out the lyrics to the kiddie holiday favorite, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and asked the late rapper (born Earl Simmons) to sing it. Only he didn't need any lyrics.

In his signature gravelly baritone, DMX belted out every single word with glee, complete with some trademark growls. The video immediately went viral, and has been replayed, remade, remixed and even turned into a cartoon video since. Simmons died in 2021, but his "Rudolph" cover is the gift that keeps on giving. — Kevin Polowy

“Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson, Wrapped in Red (2013)

Hot off her first Christmas album Wrapped in Red, this song from Kelly Clarkson became an instant classic in my household — and I'd argue turned her into the Christmas powerhouse she is today. In this 2013 hit, Clarkson sings about longing for love, rather than presents, during the Christmas season.

And I know I'm not alone, considering some of the top comments on her YouTube page: "Easily one of the worlds most underrated Christmas songs" and "In my opinion, THIS song should have been just as popular as 'All I Want For Christmas is You' by Mariah Carey." — Nicole Darrah

"Snowman" by Sia, Everyday is Christmas (2017)

No religion, a poignant message, gorgeous piano — and that rich, powerful voice! — Beth Greenfield

"Night Before Christmas" by Sam Smith (2022)

Who says Christmas music always needs to be upbeat? With little more than a guitar and a piano, Smith, with their piercing falsetto and deeply intimate lyrics, offers a new kind of holiday tune with "Night Before Christmas."

As Smith explained in a Nov. 2022 Instagram post, he wanted the song to feel like "love on Christmas Eve." In my opinion, they achieved that and so much more. If you want to break the monotony of the bells, drums and whistles heard in traditional Christmas bops, add Smith's song to your holiday playlist. — David Artavia

"A Nonsense Christmas" by Sabrina Carpenter (2022)

Sabrina Carpenter is the pop star of this generation, so it only makes sense that she has a spot on your holiday playlist. First released as a single in 2022, "A Nonsense Christmas" is a spin-off of Carpenter's "Nonsense" on the album Emails I Can't Send. "A Nonsense Christmas" is the perfect thing to play at any holiday soiree to impress Gen Z attendees with your taste in music and to entertain adults with the singer's cheeky innuendos. — Kerry Justich

"You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" by Tyler, The Creator, Dr. Seuss's The Grinch (2018)

It’s always dangerous to attempt a cover of a perfect song — which is fair classification for Thurl Ravenscroft's 1966 diss track — but we're lucky Tyler, the Creator tried for the 2018 animated film because the result is so good.

The rapper kicks off with a speed run of some of the original lyrics' high points (cactus, eel, bad banana, seasick crocodile, etc.) then briefly raps from the perspective of the titular Christmas curmudgeon before bringing it back around for an insulting close. He’s great, but the MVPs are the choir that's having an absolute blast with their backing work, including a series of disgusted "Ewws."

Tyler said his goal for the cover was "keeping 7-year-olds in mind but also wanting the parents to listen." He nailed the assignment. – Christopher Wilson

Listen to our staff holiday picks on Spotify