I'll second Vince Guaraldi Trio - Charlie Brown Christmas, Beach Boys Xmas album plus the best of the bunch, in my opinion anyway: Also, no Christmas listening is complete without Bing Crosby. I play these every year!
For tradition, my moms hometown hero the singing barber Then this one by Bugs Bower and the Pickwick gang
Very hard to pick one favorite - most of my faves have been mentioned, but here's the first two I thought of that (surprisingly) haven't been yet:
Michael, I wasn't aware of any CD versions, but a quick search unearthed this... http://www.christmaslpstocd.com/Item/RayCharlesSingersWinterWonderland-E3387 I made a "needledrop" transfer from an old LP copy. It reminds me of my youth with the clicks and pops present. For me the surface noise doesn't detract from the sound, it adds authenticity. Ahh the joys of Christmas past.
By the way, the best mastering I have found of this (and the awesome songs on the 2nd disc) is dirt cheap from a seller on eBay. I bought my copy from them, fast overseas shipping too! Mastering is by Anesini. eBay link
The Spector LP hands down. The new RSD red vinyl release of it sounds fantastic!! The Low Xmas LP is another fave, and the recent Mark Kozolek Sings Christmas Carols LP is fantastic. I've listened to it several times already this week.
Those Goodyear albums are great! All of them have an eclectic variety of artists on Columbia. Pretty easy to scare up in thrift stores.
A Music Box Christmas from the collection of Rita Ford Columbia six eye stereo from around 1960. Amazing timbres and some are really close miked and sound great.
Not mentioned yet, but some favorites of mine are: Rocky Mountain Christmas - John Denver Noel - Joan Baez The Last Month of the Year - Kingston Trio
Gretchen Peters - Northern Lights She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas Oscar Peterson - An Oscar Peterson Christmas Vince Gueraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas Sheryl Crow - Home For Christmas Johnny Cash - The Classic Christmas Album Booker T & The MGs - In The Christmas Spirit
Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas Bing - Merry Christmas Stax - Soul Christmas Carpenters - Christmas Portrait Nat - The Christmas Song NRBQ - Christmas Wish Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Sings Christmas Carols Blue Note - Yule Struttin' Spector - A Christmas Gift For You
My family tradition, as well! One of the first records I bought when I got back into vinyl- it's cheap and easy to find. If I had to pick one favorite, it would be Charlie Brown, but this, Mathis, Bing and Andy Williams get a lot of play every year. While we didn't have it when I was young, I really enjoy the Ventures Christmas album, too.