Hit right note with the perfect holiday CD

They're stocking sized, and if you make the right choice, stocking stuffer perfect. Yes, we're talking holiday CDs. In hopes of making your shopping experience a less hectic one, we've picked out albums among this year's seasonal offerings that could be a musical fit for that particular fan on your list:

If they would rather say "Merry Christmas" than "Happy Holidays"

> McDonough Christian act Casting Crowns "Peace on Earth."

> "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."