By:  Karli Thode, Contributing Writer

‘Tis the season for peppermint, hot chocolate, warm scarves, and festive music. Christmas time is finally here. What better way to usher in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season than by jamming to some serious tunes? This holiday season, celebrity artists have spiced the traditional carols up a bit. So here’s to the best celebrity Christmas album covers of 2011!

1. “Under the Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber: Justin Bieber is currently the youngest major artist on the list for top new holiday releases. It’s no surprise that the single “Mistletoe” took less than a day to make it to #1 on the iTunes chart. A great album to listen to on the drive home for Christmas break!
2. “Christmas” by Michael Bublé: Michael Bublé’s new Christmas album is his first since the release of “Let it Snow” in 2003. This album features guest artists such as Shania Twain, Thalia and The Puppini Sisters on three out of the fifteen tracks.
3. “A Very She & Him Christmas” by She & Him: Sultry and quirky Zooey Deschanel and her pop partner in crime M. Ward have recorded lots of classic and traditional Christmas carols. And since it is a time for giving, a portion of the proceeds will go to the 826 National Organization, which offers writing resources to students.
4. “Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album”- Volume 2: Glee’s amazing cast has done it again with another spectacular Christmas album! It hit the stores in November, and it seems that everyone has been raving about it since. The best track on the cd? Get ready to ‘gleek’ out after listening to their cover of “Let it Snow.”
5. “Merry Christmas II You” Mariah Carey: Mariah Carey is back with a second Christmas album. What’s not to love about Mariah Carey? Tracks include her own renditions of classics like “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and of course the all-American favorite “All I Want for Christmas.”