We are approaching that time of year again, where Mariah Carey has been defrosted just in time for the radio to shimmer with Christmas cheer, and our annual love/hate affair with Christmas songs is reanimated.

As it is a surprisingly heated topic, we asked readers what the best Christmas song is, and here’s what they had to say.

1 FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
It should come as no surprise that this classic from Celtic punk band The Pogues placed so highly in the hearts of our readers, as it was voted as the nation’s favourite Christmas song in 2012 on ITV.

2 WHITE CHRISTMAS
The classic from old-timer Bing Crosby still warms the hearts of us all, and has us all wishing for Christmastime snowfall.

3 LAST CHRISTMAS
Performed by ‘Wham!’, fronted by the more well-known George Michael, this Christmas classic hits differently now, given George Michael’s passing on Christmas Day 2016.

4 DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS?
This song by Band Aid makes a good point about how commercial and material Christmas has become, while so many go without.

5 DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Perhaps considered the patrician’s choice, this Chris Rea song is probably the least memorable, despite it playing every year.

6O HOLY NIGHT
One must pay tribute to the star of the show at Christmas, and what better way than with this classic carol?

7 CHRISTMAS (BABY PLEASE COME HOME)
Recorded by Darlene Love, in December 2010, Rolling Stone magazine ranked “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” first on its list of The Greatest Rock and Roll Christmas Songs, noting that “nobody can match Love’s emotion and sheer vocal power”.

8 ALL ALONE ON CHRISTMAS
Also recorded by Darlene Love, this song is probably best known and associated in memory for its appearance in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, another Christmas classic.
The song returned Love’s name to the music singles charts.

9 I WISH IT COULD BE CHRISTMAS
Glam rock band Wizzard break out once a year with this hit, clearly written from the perspective of a child, but reignites a childlike wonder in all of us, and the demand for more presents.

10 MARY’S BOY CHILD – OH MY LORD
If any song told the story of Christmas, it would be this one by German band 
Boney M. 
Slightly preachy, but just as catchy.