December 25 looms, and for most people, their holiday shopping is finally done. But there's always that last-minute gift you need to bring the host of the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day party that you've suddenly decided to attend or something to be sent to a relative who's sent you a present out of the blue. And since the idea of dropping into an actual store at this point fills even the heartiest shopaholic with a little dread, let the power of digital music allow you to look like you've put a lot of time into a gift.

With a few mouse clicks, a host of music is available through iTunes, Amazon.com and other online outlets. You can download a dozen or so songs and drop 'em onto a CD and create a nicely crafted gift that doesn't break the bank. Furthermore, if you need to get the music to someone you won't actually be seeing, you can "gift" the music to his or her email address and let the recipient bask in your thoughtfulness.

So, in the holiday spirit, TheaterMania has put together a quintet of playlists from recordings released in 2010 that have been curated (down to the play order) to make the process as easy, and hopefully ear-pleasing, as possible!

A Holiday Mix

This playlist features a baker's dozen of seasonal tunes that range from inspirational to ironic, starting off with Annie Lennox's soaring "Angels From the Realms of Glory," along with two other exceptional traditional tunes, before moving into original songs by Josh Groban, Jason Forbach, and Everett Bradley that bring New York at this time of year to life in wonderfully different ways. This compilation then moves into a mix of the classic and the original, featuring both well-known voices (Bing Crosby's oh-so-smooth "White Christmas" and Natalie Cole's glorious "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) and some less familiar (Sue Matsuki and The Puppini Sisters). The disc ends with Roy Zimmerman's wonky, but delightful, "Christmas on Mars."

1. Angels From the Realms of Glory - Annie Lennox - A Christmas Cornucopia (Decca Records)
2. Es kommt ein Schiff geladen - Berlin Voices - About Christmas (Hanssler Classic Records/Naxos)
3. Away in the Manger - Bryn Terfel - Bryn's Christmas (Deutsche Grammophon)
4. Bells of New York City - Josh Groban- Illuminations (143 Records/Reprise Records)
5. Remembering to Dream - Jason Forbach - Remembering to Dream (4:59 Records)
6. New York Sleigh Ride - Everett Bradley - Holidelic (Big Black Booty Records)
7. Let It Snow - Christmas With the Puppini Sisters (Verve)
8. Christmas Angel - Sue Matsuki - Christine Lavin Presents: Just One Angel (Yellow Tail Records)
9. Yes, Virgnia (There's a Santa Claus - Ann Hampton Callaway single (Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group)
10. White Christmas - Bing Crosby - Christmas Sessions (Collector's Choice)
11. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Chris Colfer/Darren Criss - Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album (Columbia)
12. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Natalie Cole & The Mormon Tabernacle Choir - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (101 Distribution)
13. Christmas on Mars - Roy ZImmerman - Christine Lavin Presents: Just One Angel (Yellow Tail Records)