These Are the Most Valuable Christmas Records of All Time
It’s the time of year when Christmas music gets stuck in all of our heads by the day after Thanksgiving. We’re not talking about being haunted by Mariah Carey’s smash hit, though; we’re thinking about those old-school tunes. Some of those vintage vinyl records command a lot of money these days, too. Here are the records of Christmases past that are worth a small fortune.
1. ‘Elvis’ Christmas Album’ (1957)
Highest listing price on eBay: $500
Home to the iconic “Blue Christmas,” Elvis’ 1957 Christmas record marked his triumphant foray into the world of Yuletide tunes. The now legendary album has been re-released several times in different formats, but if you can get your hands on a vintage vinyl, you’ve got the MVLP (see what we did there?). While the priciest one we found on eBay is $500, the same record sold from Heritage Auctions for $750 in 2022.
2. ‘Elvis’ Christmas Album’ (1970)
Highest listing price on eBay: $2,626
Elvis’ initial Christmas record was such a hit that RCA re-released a revised, truncated version in 1970 under its budget label, RCA Camden. The revised record replaced a couple of tracks and, these days, it’s worth even more than the O.G.
3. Bing Crosby’s ‘Merry Christmas’ (1945)
Highest listing price on eBay: $2,089
Can we all agree that Bing Crosby is one of the best Christmas crooners there ever was? His 1945 vinyl “Merry Christmas” is full of Christmas classics from “White Christmas” to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Crosby also had a couple of songs recorded with the Andrews sisters featured on the album, including “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” As a festive favorite, this record, in excellent vintage condition, is now worth a couple thousand dollars.
4. ‘The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album’ (1964)
Highest listing price on eBay: $600
Spearheaded by one of the catchiest Christmas tunes, “Little Saint Nick,” “The Beach Boys Christmas Album” was a smash in the ’60s, and is worth a bunch of money today. For this album, the boys recorded a bundle of redone classics like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Auld Lang Syne” mixed with some of their own upbeat jams.
5. ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas Album’ (1965)
Highest listing price on eBay: $380
What’s better than listening to Schroeder shred the piano at Christmastime? Alright, technically the soundtrack really belongs to Vince Guaraldi, a celebrated jazz pianist, but it just feels more nostalgic when we picture those little Peanut feat whirring around Schroeder’s blond head and quick fingers. The original vinyl version of the soundtrack released in ’65 is the most valuable of them all.
6. ‘The Beatles Christmas Album’ (1970)
Highest listing price on eBay: $750
We have to admit: “The Beatles” really dropped the ball on making their album art festive for their Christmas album, but it didn’t prevent it from becoming one of the most valuable Yuletide vinyls. We’re going to go out on a limb and guess that has something to do with the band’s widespread fame, legacy, and highly collectible nature.
7. ‘Seasons Greetings from Barbara Streisand’ (1969)
Highest listing price on eBay: $1,150
Babs outdid herself with her 1969 Christmas album. While it wasn’t her first foray into Christmas carols, it’s her most valuable version these days, with the going rate stretching well beyond $1,000 on eBay. This album was a compilation of some of her most beloved Christmas songs, and the artwork was top-tier (a photo of a beautiful Barbara softly smiling in front of a festive Christmas tree … c’mon!).
8. ‘A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records’ (1963)
Highest listing price on eBay: $700
Produced by Phil Spector, this album featured Christmastime favorites like “Winter Wonderland” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Songs were performed by a combination of artists, including Bob B-Boxx and the Blue Jeans, The Crystals, and the Ronettes. The album was released the same day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and was overshadowed by the significance of the event, making it a flop for the time. These days, however, the vinyl is one of the most valuable and beloved.
9. Wayne Newton’s ‘Songs for a Merry Christmas’ (1966)
Highest listing price on eBay: $650
Post-“Danke Schoen,” Wayne Newton released a Christmas album that has only grown in value since. Newton’s velvety vocals showcased renditions of festive standards like “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” The fireside photo with presents surrounding him on the cover of the album undoubtedly adds to its appeal.
10. ‘A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra’ (1957)
Highest listing price on eBay: $500
There are few crooners we’d rather listen to at Christmastime than Frank Sinatra. Released by Capitol Records in 1957, this album was Sinatra’s very first full-length Christmas collection. Since its debut, the record was re-released and re-branded several times, but the original is still the most valuable.