When the holidays come around, there are a number of very important decisions to make, such as what family you're going to see, what food you'll eat and, perhaps most importantly, what music you're going to listen to.

Holiday music can open our hearts and connect us to the warmth that this celebratory season nurtures, and it can also become a soundtrack on repeat that we can't wait to turn off.

There are some classic songs that never get old, such as "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" -- originally sung by Vaughn Monroe -- Bing Crosby's "Silver Bells" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Frank Sinatra. When we put on these iconic tunes, they bring us back to that core remembrance of why we are celebrating in the first place. Bing Crosby's version of "White Christmas" is the best-selling single of all time.

Among the less valiant attempts at capturing the spirit and essence of these holy days are Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe" and 'N Sync's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays." Though all songs carry with them messages for the people, these pop culture crossovers didn't quite hit the mark.

The Temptations' version of "Silent Night" and Mariah Carey's classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You" have stood the test of time as songs that fill our hearts with love as we sip eggnog and go back for seconds. Although, some people might include "All I Want for Christmas Is You" on their "no-play" list; we all find a balance of old and new for ourselves that hits the spot just right.

Some songs are so epic that they get covered by thousands of people. According to a December 2017 press release from Music Reports, there are 137,315 recorded versions of "Silent Night," while "White Christmas" has been recorded 128,276 times. "Jingle Bells" is third, with 89,681 versions. Many of these songs are now in the public domain, which means that people are free to make their own versions. That may be part of the reason so many people choose to cover them.

Christmas music usually dominates the airwaves during December, but one song has solidified itself as the go-to Jewish tune. That song is, of course, Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song," which humorously reminds the world about how many famous Jews there are. The classic Jewish dance song "Hava Nagila" has been known to be put on repeat in many households to keep the vibration high.

Secular songs that cross the barrier include "Deck the Halls," "Winter Wonderland" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside," as well as "Here We Come A-Caroling" and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Everyone, regardless of one's religion, wants to experience good music, and these are just some of the amazing options for people looking to remain neutral in their celebration of faith.

It's interesting to think about why we wait until the holidays to play such spirited and loving music. It's almost become a cycle that we only play these tracks during certain months, and then the rest of the year we go back to turning on the radio and not caring so much about the message of the music we listen to.

There is one song that gets played as much as, if not more than, any other song during parties and gatherings, and that is "Feliz Navidad," by Jose Feliciano. That song -- a unifying anthem of celebration and joy -- could be played on repeat for years. A good mariachi band's playing "Feliz Navidad" can make an event worth remembering.

An interesting fact about "Jingle Bells" is that its writer, James Lord Pierpont, originally penned the score to celebrate Thanksgiving, but it ended up fitting better into the Christmas carol playlist.

Whatever you choose to listen to around your loved ones, make sure that everyone gets to hear his or her favorite song so that you can hear all of the classics and avoid getting in a rut of playing the same song over and over again.

When it comes to music filled with love and joy, you really can't go wrong. Fill your cups this holiday season and let the music open your heart and remind you of how powerful love really is.