Songs for Christmas (Sufjan Stevens album)

Songs for Christmas is a box set of five extended play (EP) albums by Sufjan Stevens, released in 2006. The collection comprises Christmas-themed songs recorded between 2001 and 2006. The project began as an annual Christmas gift for friends and family. Over the years, it evolved into a diverse collection of original compositions, traditional carols, and covers of popular Christmas songs.

The music within Songs for Christmas showcases Stevens’ signature eclecticism, ranging from lo-fi bedroom recordings to lush, orchestrated arrangements. Instrumentation is equally diverse, including guitars, banjos, strings, woodwinds, and electronic elements. The tone of the albums fluctuates between sincere reverence, playful experimentation, and melancholic introspection.

The individual EPs within the box set are titled: Hark! Songs for Christmas, Vol. 1, Noel: Songs for Christmas, Vol. 2, Christmas: Songs for Christmas, Vol. 3, Ding! Dong! Songs for Christmas, Vol. 4, and Joy to the World: Songs for Christmas, Vol. 5.

Songs for Christmas has been praised for its breadth, originality, and heartfelt delivery. It's become a beloved part of many listeners' holiday traditions and remains a significant work in Stevens’ discography.