Hit right note with the perfect holiday CD

> "And There Was Christmas," a contemporary gospel collection including Kirk Franklin & The Family, Marvin Sapp and Mary Mary.

If they'd prefer anything but a "Silent Night"

> The ever-classic Tony Bennett's "A Swingin' Christmas," featuring the Count Basie Big Band.

> Spirited jazz singer Ledisi's "It's Christmas".

> Rocker Little Steven Van Zandt's "Christmas A Go-Go," an Underground Garage production that includes Keith Richards' "Run Rudolph Run" and the Ramones' "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)."

> Al Jarreau's "Christmas."

> Bela Fleck & the Flecktones' "Jingle All the Way."

> Putumayo's "A Jazz and Blues Christmas" compilation, featuring the late Ray Charles' "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the Mighty Blue Kings' "All I Ask For Christmas."

If they enjoy the company of others

> Yo-Yo Ma & Friends' "Songs of Joy & Peace," with friends including James Taylor, Renee Fleming and Chris Botti.

> Natalie Cole's "Caroling, Caroling: Christmas With Natalie Cole," with assists from the London Symphony Orchestra.

> Sarah Brightman's "A Winter Symphony."

> Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey's "Christmas at St. Michael's Abbey: The Three Masses of Christmas."

If they need a soundtrack to match their prize-winning light display

> Mannheim Steamroller's "Christmasville," focusing this year on music from "The Grinch."

If they're forever stationed under the mistletoe

> R&B crooner Brian McKnight's "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

> Rahsaan Patterson's "The Ultimate Gift."

> "Pushing Daisies" co-star Kristin Chenoweth's "A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas" (she's even got mistletoe on the cover).

If all they want for Christmas is ...

> a new tin of hair grease: Elvis Presley's "Christmas Duets"; the Boxmaster's "Christmas Cheer" (including Oscar-winning Boxmaster Billy Bob Thornton);

> a 10-gallon hat: Faith Hill's "Joy To The World";

> a Cliff Huxtable sweater: Spyro Gyra's "A Night Before Christmas";

> a CD they'll want to play holiday after holiday: Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin's first-ever holiday CD, "This Christmas."

If they barely know what a CD is (much less an album)

> "The Essential Now That's What I Call Christmas" has a wide range of seasonal fare, including Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad," Wham!'s "Last Christmas" and the Temptations' "Silent Night."