The Perfect Playlist: Tunes for Your Traditional East Coast-y Toasty Celebration

Time Several Hours

Budget $ $$$

Skill Level

WORDS BY Gillian Grefe

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Published on November 15, 2017

No celebration is complete without an appropriate soundtrack, so we’ve created a playlist that will perfectly complement your East Coast-y Toasty celebration. It’s full of roots-influenced folk that brings to life a winter among the mountains and forests of the northeast. Warm and welcoming, it’ll be the perfect backdrop to whatever your holiday celebration entails: dinner, a family gathering, or just sitting in front of a toasty fire.

The Stable Song- Gregory Alan Isakov

Mellow and simple, but with the weight of an orchestral arrangement behind it, this song feels as if it has been around forever.

White Winter Hymnal- Fleet Foxes

If a snowy winter morning had a soundtrack, this one might be just the right tune. Jangling guitars and melodic vocals make it hard to keep from tapping your toes to this one.

Our Lady of the Tall Trees- Cahalen Morrison & Eli West

With a banjo arrangement that’s about as trad as it gets, this beautiful song benefits from old-school storytelling in its lyrics. It’ll make you feel like you’re surrounded by tall pines, even if you’re in the middle of the urban jungle.

Real Love Baby- Father John Misty

Let the good spirits that radiate from this song wash over you in their vintage-feeling groove. The holidays are the time to celebrate love of all kinds, and this might just be the perfect anthem for the season.

Old Pine- Ben Howard

Ben Howard’s ethereal arrangement bring to mind dusk settling over a snowy scene. It’s simple and beautiful, and celebrates the feeling of standing “happy hearted in the warmth.” Doesn’t get much better than that.

Old Ties and Companions- Mandolin Orange

A new song with the bones of a traditional folk tune, this song is just really beautiful. It’s about old traditions, and that’s pretty darn East Coast-y Toasty.

January Hymn- The Decemberists

While we might be jumping the gun a ~little~ bit (it’s not January yet!), this song feels a winter meditation that’s almost a holiday song without naming any specific celebrations.

Season Song- Elephant Revival

As the evening winds down, let the sleepy vibes gather with this gorgeous tune. It dwells on memory and introspection, which feels right for the time of the season.

O Come O Come Emmanuel- The Wilds of Manitoba

The only truly traditional holiday song on this playlist, this version blends its hymnal feel with stripped down instrumentation. It’s beautiful enough to listen to all year long, in our opinion.

The Parting Glass- The Wailin’ Jennys

If this celebration style is all about tradition, there’s no better way to end the night with this ultra old-school parting toast. If everyone knows the words, it makes for a truly beautiful farewell.

With this playlist in your back pocket, your traditional holiday style is sure to be the star of every celebration. Don’t forget to check out our drink recipes, design inspiration, and shopping list that’ll complete your holiday in style!