The cold winter breeze, the smell of pine trees, and the scent of cinnamon are all signs that the year is coming to an end. After a chaotic and unexpected year with various challenges towards humanity, ending it with positive energy would be the best option for all of us. One way to do so would be by raising our holiday spirit — drinking hot chocolate, sitting by a warm fireplace, and listening to Christina Perri’s Christmas album A Very Merry Perri Christmas (Extra Presents). Her album emits emotions that may not only raise one’s holiday spirit but also help one to prepare for a merrier end-of-year celebration.

Christina Perri is an American singer and songwriter who gained recognition after her single “A Thousand Years,” which appeared on the soundtrack of the movie The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. On October 16, 2013, she released her album A Very Merry Perri Christmas, which had one original song, “Something About December,” and five cover songs. After the popularity of her album, she added two more covers, “Let It Snow (Acoustic)” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and named her new album A Very Merry Perri Christmas (Extra Presents).

In her video “A Very Merry Perri Christmas: The Making of the EP,” she mentions that “there is something that happens at Christmas where everything is more heightened.” Perri always had a dream of writing her own Christmas song. When she was a child, the very first song she ever sang was a Christmas carol, which still lives in her memory. This personal memory is what inspired Perri’s original song, “Something About December,” which was written alongside her brother, Nick. According to an interview with Pop Dirt, a music news website, Perri mentioned that the song is very personal, but at the same time, can be relatable to any listener. The song contains a soothing melody that is produced by the piano in the background. With her soft vocals, she makes the song heart-warming and joyful.

On the album, Perri covers seven songs. One of her most popular covers is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” originally sung by Bing Crosby. This song was originally recorded in 1943 from the perspective of a United States (U.S.) soldier in World War 2 that could not go back home for Christmas. The lyrics read, “I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams,” portraying a sad reality to the listener. The original song is accompanied by the violin, which creates a gloomy ambiance. On the other hand, Perri’s cover is accompanied by piano sounds instead, giving a twist to the song and making it upbeat and hopeful. Another notable cover is the fourth track, “Ave Maria.” Although the song’s lyrics are written in French, it transmits Perri’s emotions perfectly even to international listeners. Through this song, Perri gives a lesson to the listeners that music has no boundaries.

Although Perri’s album mainly consists of covers, the way she sings gives warmth to the listener and brings Christmas joy. In particular, her love for Christmas carols has helped her emit those emotions to the songs in the album. This is one of the reasons why so many listeners are able to feel the same Christmas spirit she experienced when she was a child. Her album A Very Merry Perri Christmas (Extra Presents) plays a big role in making anyone’s holiday season a special one. Her music not only gives Christmas jingles but also leads people back home.