Anyone up for some Christmas caroling? Before you say no, you don’t have to join the church choir and sing all the bazillion verses of “Away in the Manger” to go Christmas caroling.
There are plenty of fun, light-hearted Christmas songs that are pure silliness. The majority of these songs are made for kids, but some will have grownups rolling on the floor, too.
That’s why we rounded up the best funny Christmas songs for kids (and adults) to add some extra cheer to your holiday season.
29. The 12 Pains of Christmas VIDEO
Year released: 1987
Written by: Bob Rivers, Brian Silva and Dennis Amero
Artist: Bob Rivers
Why kids love it: We all thought getting presents was the best part of being a kid at Christmas. We were wrong.
The best part was that we didn’t have to climb in the attic to dig up last year’s lights, spending a fortune on presents that will totally be regifted anyway, and trying to find a parking spot at the grocery store for last-minute eggnog.
Basically, “The 12 Pains of Christmas” is funny because it’s true.
28. Didn’t I Get This Last Year VIDEO
Year released: 1993
Written by: Bob Rivers
Artist: Bob Rivers
Why kids love it: Bob Rivers is the king of funny, sassy Christmas songs for grownups. “Didn’t I Get This Last Year” is a lament shared by everyone who is looking forward to receiving yet another pair of socks for Christmas.
A box? For me? What could be inside? Socks? Quelle surprise.
27. Rusty Chevrolet VIDEO
Year released: 1987
Written by: Joe Potila and Jim DeCaire
Artist: Da Yoopers
Why kids love it: Kids might find this silly Christmas song to be funny, too, but they won’t relate to it like adults will.
Here’s to hoping that you remembered to change your oil and schedule that tune-up.
Or at least that your beat-up car will make it to Grandma’s without stalling.
26. What’s This VIDEO
Year released: 1993
Written by: Danny Elfman
Artist: Danny Elfman
Why kids love it: Actually, grownups love this one, too. Written for Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Danny Elfman does it again with “What’s This.”
The song portrays the journey of Jack Skellington, a tall, ghostly figure from Halloween Town, as he discovers the existence of Christmas.
It’s comical to watch a grownup delight in ordinary holiday decorations, but it also serves as a reminder: Christmas magic doesn’t have to disappear when you grow up.
Stay delighted.
25. Santa’s Solar Sleigh VIDEO
Year released: 2016
Written by: Bryant Oden
Artist: Bryant Oden
Why kids love it: Being environmentally friendly is a requirement for everyone these days, even Santa.
The image of jolly old Saint Nick trying to figure out how to drive a brand-new smart sleigh is funny to kids and parents alike.
24. I Really Don’t Hate Christmas VIDEO
Year released: 2009
Written by: Dr. Doofenshmirtz
Artist: Heinz Doofenshmirtz
Why kids love it: This one is mostly for fans of the show “Phineas and Ferb.” In the show, the evil villain, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, goes on a musical rampage to express his ambivalence about Christmas.
He detests every other holiday, but Christmas? Not even a villain can hate sugar cookies.
23. The Very First Christmas VIDEO
Year released: 2005
Written by: Paul Tibbitt
Artist: Spongebob Squarepants/Tom Kenny
Why kids love it: Ah, a song that will either warm the cold, dead hearts of millennials, or send them off the deep end.
The song was written for a Spongebob Christmas special in which Spongebob eagerly (and irritatingly) awaits Santa. Santa’s running late, so an irritable Squidward shakes off his Grinch-like attitude and brings Christmas to Bikini Bottom.
Kids will relate to Spongebob, while parents will come to the grim realization that we’ve all morphed into Squidward.
22. Space Unicorn Holiday VIDEO
Year released: 2011
Written by: Parry Gripp
Artist: Parry Gripp
Why kids love it: “Space Unicorn Holiday” was written to capitalize on the unicorn craze that took place a decade or so ago. Kids were obsessed with unicorns and rainbows.
While trends have shifted from unicorns to mermaids, this funny Christmas song has techno undercurrents that’ll have teenagers rolling their eyes and everyone else tapping their toes.
21. Santa Bring Me a Dinosaur VIDEO
Year released: 2000
Written by: Bob Brown
Artist: John Williamson
Why kids love it: “Santa Bring Me a Dinosaur” is sweet, catchy nonsense. It’s repetitive and easy to remember, and preschoolers will delight in coming up with unreasonable Santa requests.
I’ll take a spaceship and cookie-baking dragon, please.
20. Revvin’ Up the Reindeer VIDEO
Year released: 2017
Written by: Brady Rymer
Artist: Brady Rymer
Why kids love it: The swingin’ beat of “Revvin’ Up the Reindeer” is contagious. The words are all kid-friendly and easy to remember, but this is a better song to launch a family dance party than to sing along with.
Even the grumpiest of 11-year-olds will begrudgingly get up to dance at this one.
19. Second Tier Reindeer VIDEO
Year released: 2014
Written by: Denver Casado
Artist: Beat by Beat TV
Why kids love it: It’s hilarious and sad at the same time. When you think about it, there have to be more reindeer than the ones Santa usually mentions.
In fact, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen sound more like a clique than a friendly reindeer family. Remember how they excluded Rudolf until they needed him? That was messed up.
“Second Tier Reindeer” celebrates the contributions of all the less popular reindeer with names, and we’re here for it.
18. Santa Shark VIDEO
Year released: 2018
Written by: PinkFong (originally “Baby Shark”)
Artist: Super Simple Songs
Why kids love it: Sigh. “Santa Shark” is, unfortunately, a thing.
After the “Baby Shark” craze happened, it was only fitting that a Christmas version came out, starring none other than Santa Shark.
It’s not as catchy as the original song, but we are more than OK with that.
17. Alvin and the Chipmunks: All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth VIDEO
Year released: 1944
Written by: Donald Yetter Gardner
Artist: Alvin and the Chipmunks (1961)
Why kids love it: This is just the Chipmunks version of a classic, but kids seem to love their silly, high-pitched voices.
Do chipmunks even lose their baby teeth? If any zoologist parents are reading this, let us know. We’re curious.
16. Raining Tacos VIDEO
Year released: 2013
Written by: Parry Gripp
Artist: Parry Gripp
Why kids love it: Parry Gripp is a pro at writing addictive novelty songs for kids. Some of his songs have even been featured on Disney shows, and we get why.
“Raining Tacos” doesn’t sound like a Christmas song, but it is. It’s about tacos falling from the sky on Christmas Eve.
When your family stops rocking out in the living room, consider getting a family-sized order of crispy tacos delivered.
15. Little Saint Nick VIDEO
Year released: 1963
Written by: Brian Wilson and Mike Love
Artist: The Beach Boys
Why kids love it: Finally, a classic Christmas song that we can all enjoy. This Beach Boys song brings sunshine to the chilliest of winter days, and the lyrics are funnier than we remembered.
Totally worth adding to your sugar cookie decorating playlist.
14. Santa’s Stuck Up In the Chimney VIDEO
Year released: 2007
Written by: Paul Evans and Paul Parnes
Artist: Paul Evans
Why kids love it: We have to preface this by saying that Santa’s waistline is none of our business. Santa, you look great.
If you don’t mind some good-natured jokes at Santa’s expense, you’ll love this funny Christmas song about Santa eating a few too many cookies and getting stuck in the chimney.
Don’t worry, Santa. It happens to the best of us.
13. Jingle Bells, Batman Smells VIDEO
Year released: 1966
Written by: Unknown
Artist: Unknown
Why kids love it: “Jingle Bells” is a cheery Christmas classic written and composed by James Pierpont in 1857 (originally titled “The One Horse Open Sleigh”). The parody version has been around almost as long as the real one.
It’s hard to say where it originated. Historical reports suggest it was in the 1960s when the live-action “Batman” TV series was popularized.
The song also appeared on the first episode of “The Simpsons” in 1989.
12. Run Rudolph Run VIDEO
Year released: 1958
Written by: Johnny Marks and Marvin Brodie
Artist: Chuck Berry
Why kids love it: The bluesy “Run Run Rudolph” is almost identical to Berry’s song “Little Queenie,” which was released around the same time as “Run Run Rudolph.”
The latter, however, was a bigger hit thanks to its silly Santa-themed lyrics.
11. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town VIDEO
Year released: 1934
Written by: J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie
Artist: Sonny Schuyler
Why kids love it: He’s makin’ a list, and checkin’ it twice. You know the rules of impressing Santa Claus, and that’s all thanks to this timeless Christmas classic.
Tons of different versions have been recorded over the years, but one of the first ones, by George Hall and His Orchestra with Sonny Schuyler singing vocals, remains the best.
10. Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer VIDEO
Year released: 1949
Written by: Johnny Marks
Artist: Gene Autry
Why kids love it: This cheerful ditty about Rudolf, the world’s most beloved reindeer, is just as good as the movie it was written for.
While the words are a bit sad if you think about them, let’s just remember the good part: Rudolf gets to show all those rude reindeer who’s really in charge.
9. Frosty the Snowman VIDEO
Year released: 1950
Written by: Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson
Artist: Gene Autry
Why kids love it: Imagine a giant snowman casually strolling across a busy intersection, disregarding both stop signs and an irate traffic director. Funny, right?
The song is a classic, but consider this a sign that it’s time to rewatch the original “Frosty the Snowman” movie.
8. Must Be Santa VIDEO
Year released: 1960
Written by: Hal Moore and Bill Fredericks
Artist: Mitch Miller
Why kids love it: Who’s got a great big cherry nose? One could argue that most people you run into at truck stops do, but in this case, the answer is Santa.
“Must Be Santa” wasn’t written by Raffi, but his version is an indisputable childhood favorite. His entire Christmas album is a hit, so check out the rest after you’re done singing every verse of “Must Be Santa.”
7. Dominick the Donkey VIDEO
Year released: 1960
Written by: Ray Allen, Sam Saltzberg and Wandra Merrell
Artist: Lou Monte
Why kids love it: “Dominick the Donkey” is hilarious. It’s just so, so silly.
Parents want to hate it. Christmas music can be annoying, especially when we’re asked to play the same songs on repeat, but the sheer goofiness of a festive Italian Christmas donkey is impossible to hate.
Try it. We bet you’ll find yourself humming it against your will.
6. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late) VIDEO
Year released: 1958
Written by: Ross Bagdasarian
Artist: Alvin and the Chipmunks
Why kids love it: Of all of the songs produced by Alvin and the Chipmunks, “The Chipmunk Song” is the one they’re known for best. Something about lovable, mischievous chipmunks wishing you a merry Christmas in three-part harmony is endearing.
Impress your kids by breathing in the contents of a helium balloon (probably safe, but do so at your own risk), and showing off your festive chipmunk vocal range.
5. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch VIDEO
Year released: 1966
Written by: Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel (composed by Albert Hague)
Artist: Thurl Ravenscroft
Why kids love it: The Grinch is the Christmas villain no one can really hate. Don’t get us wrong. The line about him being a bad banana with a greasy, black peel is totally on point.
Any creature who wants to spend the holidays alone with his dog instead of buying gifts for relatives they haven’t spoken to all year is too relatable to be all bad.
Plus, his theme song is downright hilarious.
4. I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ For Christmas VIDEO
Year released: 1934
Written by: Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett
Artist: Shirley Temple
Why kids love it: Despite how old this song is, “I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ For Christmas” is still a winner. Kids love songs sung by other kids, and Shirley Temple’s rendition is a classic. The biggest hit was a version sung by 6-year-old Barry Gordon in 1955 with Art Mooney and His Orchestra.
The timeless song takes the audience through a list of bad deeds that keep poor kids off the good boys and girls list.
Hopefully, your girls and boys learn from their mistakes.
3. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth VIDEO
Year released: 1944
Written by: Donald Yetter Gardner
Artist: Spike Jones & His City Slickers
Why kids love it: This funny Christmas song was practically written by kids.
When Donald Yetter Gardner asked his second-grade class what they wanted for Christmas, most of the students answered with a lisp due to their missing front teeth.
This inspired him to write the silly song that every elementary schooler should know.
2. Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer VIDEO
Year released: 1979
Written by: Randy Brooks
Artist: Elmo and Patsy
Why kids love it: Originally performed by the husband and wife duo of Elmo Shropshire and Patsy Trigg, this one’s too funny not to include.
According to the song, grandma has one too many glasses of eggnog, wanders outside, and is accidentally taken out by Santa and his reindeer. It’s tragic, dark and funny as heck.
The details will go over kids’ heads, and they’ll still laugh at the idea of grandma getting squished by Rudolf.
1. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas VIDEO
Year released: 1953
Written by: John Rox
Artist: Gayla Peevey
Why kids love it: If the words of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” aren’t funny enough to win kids over, the backstory will be.
When the song was first recorded by then 10-year-old Gayla Peevey, it became such a huge hit that she was gifted a live hippo.
Thankfully, she and her parents donated the large, potentially life-threatening creature to the city zoo.
