Fri Dec 05 13:00:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christmas Music Debate Heats Up: Campus Newspaper Staffers Reveal Their Holiday Hits and Misses

Storrs, CT – As the familiar jingle of Christmas carols fills the airwaves and shopping malls, staffers at The Daily Campus, UConn’s student newspaper, are weighing in on the holiday music landscape. From overlooked gems to perpetually overplayed tunes, their opinions offer a fresh perspective on the sounds of the season.

Life Editor Dan Stark champions Rob Thomas’ “A New York Christmas” as an underappreciated masterpiece. Written in the wake of 9/11, Stark praises its message of peace and unity, particularly lines about “sidewalk angels.” His holiday pet peeve is Wham’s “Last Christmas,” lamenting the “dated 1980s synths” and his early loss in the annual “Whammagedon” challenge.

Staff Writer Elijah Polance also has strong opinions, disliking Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” and José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” for becoming repetitive. He spotlights the experimental and expansive Christmas compilations of indie artist Sufjan Stevens, particularly the 12-minute “Christmas Unicorn,” complete with a surprising interpolation of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”

Campus Correspondent Alex Klancko throws his support behind Bing Crosby’s “Mele Kalikimaka” for its unique Hawaiian Christmas vibe. His target? The ubiquitous “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. Klancko, a former retail worker, cites overexposure as the reason, describing it as “giving PTSD” to those who’ve endured countless replays in retail settings.

With diverse tastes and perspectives, The Daily Campus staff highlights the wide spectrum of Christmas music and the strong emotions it evokes. As the holiday season unfolds, one thing is clear: the debate over the perfect Christmas playlist is just getting started.

About The Daily Campus:

The Daily Campus is UConn’s independent, student-run newspaper. They strive to provide the UConn community with fair, accurate, relevant, and editorially independent content.

Read More