Christmas music is one of the most recognizable and heart warming kinds of music in America.

As a child, you dream of this eggnog and cookie filled time of the year. The one thing that signals that the season has begun is those merry jingles that erupt out of department stores.

It is one of the most profitable and short-lived music sectors with albums raking in tens of millions.

Albums like Kenny’s G’s “Miracles: The Holiday Album,” which was the number one Christmas album in 1994 and 1996 made a total of $7.23 million, while the newer Josh Groban album “Noel,” the number one Christmas album in 2007 and 2008, made $5.28 million.

But no one can ever shake a good classic Christmas album like the unforgettable “Merry Christmas” by Bing Crosby, which made the miraculous yet expected claim of the number one Christmas album title from 1945 through 1950.

Though newer albums of today reclaim the classic “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” feel, like Michael Buble’s album “Christmas,” which claimed the number one Christmas album in 2011, releases this year may push boundaries like “Holidays Rule,” which incorporates many new age indie and alternative bands covering classic seasonal songs.

But modern Christmas music stretches across many genres. New releases like “Merry Christmas, Baby” by Rod Stewart provide a raspy easy listening vibe that proves to bring a welcoming and mellow festive environment.

Country has many takes on the Christmas music industry. The new Lady Antebellum Christmas album, “A Merry Little Christmas,” provides a very at home southern feel while Scotty McCreery’s new album, “Christmas with Scotty McCreery,” uses his famous raspy and deep voice to create a totally different feel. Blake Shelton’s new album, “Cheers, It’s Christmas,” provides an infusion of the two.

Or for a sound that creates a genre all to it’s self, the new Celtic Woman album, “Home for Christmas,” combines classical orchestra with an all woman’s choral addition that creates not only a sound all it’s own, but a feel that is all it’s own too.

Christmas brings joy to all those involved whether you pick the classic music route, or shoot for the new age music. Either way the biggest and most largely celebrated holiday is just around the corner. Pull up those striped socks and throw on your ugliest Christmas sweater in preparation for family and food galore. Do not forget to throw on some festive tunes while your at it.