The Treasury of Christmas Music
A Perfect Blend of Holiday Classics
When you think of Christmas music, what’s the first song that comes to mind? For most folks, I’d bet that Bing Crosby’s smooth baritone crooning about a “White Christmas” is in the conversation, if not at the top. Or maybe Nat King Cole, whisper-singing about chestnuts roasting on an open fire and singing flowers where the birds should be. Or maybe the mischievous jingle about a certain bulbous-nosed reindeer. But if you grew up in the second half of the 20th century, the soundtrack of your holiday season was more likely the Time-Life Treasury of Christmas.
A Personal Christmas Treasure
In 1992, Ryan was living with a couple of other guys he went to college with. It was the sort of rambunctious “college guy house” that probably should have appeared in Animal House, but thankfully didn’t. But one night, as Ryan and his roommates were milling about the living room, this one commercial came on TV and it made Ryan stop in his tracks. He wanted the Time-Life Treasury of Christmas.
The only problem? Ryan didn’t have a credit card. So he convinced one of his roommates to place the order for him on his credit card — with the promise that Ryan would reimburse him with cash. To this day, it’s one of Ryan’s favorite Christmas CD collections.
The Original Treasury of Christmas CDs
The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas is an original collection of more than 40 Christmas classics from Time-Life Music. It’s still a favorite CD collection in many American homes for the holidays. The two-disc set offers a mix of the most recognizable, traditional, and just plain classic Christmas songs ever recorded.
From the 1970s through the 1990s, Time-Life Music was a leading provider of various music collections. For whatever reason, they had a reputation for making excellent music collections that everyone seemed to love. They were very meticulous about song and album selection, and just about everything they produced was met with overwhelming demand. This is precisely why their Treasury of Christmas was a smash hit when it was originally released in 1987. Click on the cover of the album below to see the original commercial that hooked Ryan all those years ago…
As far as Christmas soundtracks go, it’s a good one. A really good one. The songs are well-selected and the sequence is well-thought out. The audio quality is excellent, and the music, the cover art, and the packaging all have that wonderfully warm, cozy, wintry feeling. Oh, and many of us who grew up in the ‘90s can’t help but smile every time we see the adorable TV commercials that aired all over the country in the early-to-mid ‘90s to promote the collection. Time-Life really nailed it when they consistently marketed the collection as the “perfect gift for family and friends.”
And while it was that, it was more than that too. It was Christmas. It was a stroll down memory lane. It was those songs you heard every year when you were growing up. It was memories. It was nostalgia.
Voices of the Holidays Past
As a holiday collection, it truly offers something for everyone. Disc 1 leans upbeat, filled with legendary voices that have become synonymous with the Christmas season — Bing, Perry, Andy, Dean, Frankie, and Nat. These are timeless voices, instantly recognizable and forever tied to the warm, fuzzy feelings we associate with the holidays.
Just a few highlights include:
- “White Christmas” – Bing Crosby
- “Home for the Holidays” – Perry Como
- “Silent Night” – Jim Reeves
- “The Christmas Song” – The Carpenters
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Gene Autry
- “Feliz Navidad” – José Feliciano
- “Here Comes Santa Claus” – Elvis Presley
In addition, medleys and orchestral arrangements — like those from the Robert Shaw Chorale and Arthur Fiedler & the Boston Pops — bring a touch of grandeur and elegance to the mix.
The Peaceful Side of Christmas
Disc 2 shifts to a quieter, more sacred tone. It includes gentle hymns, reflective carols, and traditional arrangements that capture the peace and reverence of the season. Whether you prefer spirited songs or peaceful melodies, the Time-Life Treasury of Christmas has something to match your mood.
Some standout tracks include:
- “Do You Hear What I Hear?” – Bing Crosby
- “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” – Perry Como
- “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” – Julie Andrews
- “Adeste Fideles” – Luciano Pavarotti
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Judy Garland
- “Mary’s Boy Child” – Harry Belafonte
- “The First Noel” – Sergio Franchi
Together, both discs strike a perfect balance between celebration and reflection.
The Treasury of Christmas in 2023
Needless to say, the collection is no longer sold new and, these days, it’s very much a thrift-store find. It’s available here and there on eBay, too. But if you’ve spotted it, you know it: that big white CD case, adorned with gold accents and the obvious “Christmas” logo in the center, is a real standout. Those of us who still own it, it’s something we hold near and dear. It’s one of those collections that every other music collection is compared to, unfairly or not. Is it outdated? Sure. Are there better playlists on Spotify and Apple Music? Absolutely. But in terms of aesthetic and packaging and overall nostalgia…well, you just can’t beat it.
Interestingly, various takes on the collection seem to be still for sale online, including on Amazon — although some of the track listings are different from the original CD release.
A Holiday Staple
This collection of holiday classics is more than a collection of music, to be honest. It’s a snapshot in time. It’s when families used to gather around stereos and Christmas trees dusted with twinkling lights. It’s when music filled the air instead of just serving as a wallpaper. It’s Christmas.
And for the folks that still have their original CDs, pressing play is like opening a snow globe filled with all those wonderful memories. But if you’re one of the many who don’t have it — and have maybe even been living under a rock without hearing it for a while — well, there’s no time like the present to track it down and bring it home. Dust off that old CD player, or maybe rip a digital version or two, and let the Time-Life Treasury of Christmas take you back home to the sounds, the sights, and the smells of your own happy holidays.