Your favorite holiday music icons, reimagined as this season’s ultimate style gift guide.
The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without cheerful music filling the air, setting a festive mood for the gift-giving spirit. Everyone has their favorite Christmas tune—some are drawn to slow, heartwarming melodies, while others can’t resist upbeat, dance-worthy hits that bring the celebration to life. Interestingly, these musical preferences can also serve as a fun guide for finding the perfect holiday gifts.
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Nat King Cole
Ever heard of a “Ralph Lauren Christmas”? That’s exactly the energy of someone who has Nat King Cole on repeat all December long. They love their Christmas stockings, real pine trees, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and the soft glow of warm lights. They’re true holiday traditionalists, wrapped in cozy knits, surrounded by loved ones, and letting the vinyl crackle as the classics play.
Mariah Carey
A Mariah Carey holiday music fan can be summed up in one word: diva. This person lives for the glitz and glam of the season. You can bet their house is the most decorated one on the block: complete with twinkling lights, tinsel galore, and maybe even a fog machine for extra flair. They’ll show up to the Christmas party wearing their finest jewelry, carrying the biggest potluck contribution (a lechon, no less), and embodying the larger-than-life holiday spirit that Mariah herself would approve of.
Michael Bublé
Those who gravitate toward Michael Bublé’s Christmas tunes bring a polished kind of warmth into the season. They appreciate the crooner classics and nights out that end with champagne and carols. Expect them to arrive in a sharp suit layered with soft cashmere and a hint of winter tailoring, offering effortless compliments, a reassuring laugh, and a holiday spirit that feels absolutely comforting.
Laufey
Remember how magical Christmas felt when you were a kid? Laufey listeners hold onto that feeling and recreate it every year. They’re Christmas divas too—but with a vintage, eclectic twist. Their ornaments might be a rare find from an antique shop circa 1975, and their gifts are wrapped with silk ribbons that match their retro-inspired holiday outfit. For them, Christmas isn’t just a season—it’s an aesthetic, wrapped in nostalgia and timeless charm.
This article was originally published in our December 2025 Issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Nat King Cole listener tends to be a holiday traditionalist — drawn to cozy knits, warm lights, and classic Christmas aesthetics. Gift ideas for this personality type lean toward timeless, quality pieces: cashmere throws, heritage home décor, classic fragrances, or anything that evokes the warmth of a traditional Christmas rooted in comfort and nostalgia.
A Mariah Carey holiday fan leans into maximalist glamour — think bold jewelry, festive statement pieces, and unapologetically over-the-top holiday dressing. Gift ideas for this personality include fine jewelry, luxury beauty, designer accessories, or anything with sparkle and scale. They are the person who shows up to every Christmas party as its best-dressed guest.
A Michael Bublé fan brings polished, understated warmth to the holiday season — a tailored suit, soft cashmere layering, and a champagne-and-carols kind of evening. Gift ideas for this personality type include refined menswear accessories, premium whisky or wine, leather goods, or elevated grooming products that reflect a sophisticated, classic holiday sensibility.
A Laufey listener approaches Christmas as a nostalgic, vintage-inflected aesthetic — rare antique finds, silk ribbons, and retro-inspired holiday outfits. Gift ideas for this personality include vintage or secondhand fashion pieces, artisan candles, illustrated books, niche fragrances, or anything with an eclectic, timeless quality that feels curated rather than commercial.
The Style Edit: Christmas Playlist Edition is a holiday gift and style guide from Lifestyle Asia that matches four distinct holiday personalities — inspired by Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, and Laufey — to corresponding aesthetics, gift ideas, and fashion sensibilities. It frames holiday gifting through the lens of music taste and personal style identity.
