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Christmas Promos. Every year, dozens of promotional albums are issued by records labels, radio stations, and retail stores. Some are intended for airplay only, while others are sold for a limited time. During the 1960's, series of these records - especially those sold by Firestone and Goodyear tire dealers - were among the most popular Christmas albums on the market. Usually, promotional albums are compiled from widely-distributed major label catalogs. But, occasionally - and with increasing frequency these days - promotional albums contain exclusive or hard-to-find tracks to drive record collectors wild.

This page lists the mere handful of Christmas promos that I have picked up for various reasons, some enumerated below. What qualifies an album as promotional can be fuzzy, but the common thread here is that these records were not widely available for sale - if at all. So, if you want to track them down, you'll most likely have to do it the same way I did - by scouring used record stores or by haunting eBay and other websites. As always, your feedback is encouraged. Please send additions, corrections, criticisms, and suggestions via email.

Title	Date	image	Buy	Review
A&M Records 1997 In-Store Christmas Sampler	1997	image
A&M Records Christmas Sampler - above two catalog surveys from Universal-distributed label; all tracks commercially available elsewhere	1993	image
Capitol Records Chestnuts - 18 tracks from Capitol Records and associated labels; includes rare tracks from Luscious Jackson, Dexter Freebish	1999	image
Christmas All Over The Place - 13 tracks taken from the eclectic Rykodisc catalog; similar to commercially-released Xmas Marks The Spot (1997)	1994	image
Christmas Chaos Compilation - 6-track Warner Music Group alternative EP, no front cover; includes non-LP tracks from Guster and Sixpence None The Richer	1999	image
Christmas Stocking Stuffers - catalog sampler from Sony labels Columbia and Epic; all tracks commercially available elsewhere	1998	image
Christmas Twist - sold only in Pier One Imports stores; several rare songs including Dada's "My Baby Fell For Old St. Nick"	2000	image	buy
Columbia Christmas Classics - catalog sampler from Sony's flagship label; includes Zebrahead's rare "Deck The Halls (I Hate Christmas)"	1999	image
Delivering Real Holiday Refreshment - sampler from Coke, EMI, and now-defunct retailer CDNow.com	1998	image
December Songs - new songs (Smithereens) and catalog classics (Elvis) from RCA	1994	image
Deck The Halls - 5-track EP from Houston-based indie label Compadre Records; includes a previously unreleased track by Billy Joe Shaver	2003	image
Flip For Toys five varied modern tracks plus interactive content; distributed exclusively through Target stores	2001	image
Fruitcake - five-track alternative rock EP from Tim/Kerr and Capitol Records; given away through the Coalition Of Independent Music Stores	1997	image
Happy Holidays - From Your Friends at Redeye Distribution and Yep Roc Records!	2006	image
Holiday Cheers From Quincy Jones Music Publishing - eight exclusive tracks, gospel, hip hop, and rhythm & blues	1997	image
Hope: Island Radio Holiday Sampler - twelve tracks from the Island Records catalog 1973-1995	1995	image
In The Spirit - 9-track compilation from Elektra Records, sticker on jewel case for front cover; includes rare tracks by the Old 97's, Luna, and Freedy Johnston	1998	image
Island holiday sampler - 11 tracks in a red-and-white, round, cardboard slipcase	1994	image
Jingle This - Atlantic/Lava alternative sampler, no front cover; two different editions issued - each with slightly different track listings and CD label artwork (one red, one green)	2004	image
KLBJ Local Licks: Yule Rock! - local talent compiled by mainstream rock station in Austin, Texas; all exclusive tracks	1999	image
KROX 101X-mas - local talent compiled by alternative rock station in Austin, Texas; largely exclusive tracks, including one by the Butthole Surfers	1995	image
Mad Tidings - jazz, gospel, and rhythm & blues from Polygram family of labels	1993	image
A Merry Little Christmas - 7-song adult-alternative sampler from Elektra/East-West Records; includes rare tracks from Freedy Johnston and Ween	1994	image
Mojo Blue Christmas - 15 rare and/or classic tracks from English music magazine; includes several songs recorded specifically for project	2005	image
Nine Capitol Christmas Singles On One CD - title pretty much says it all...	2000	image
Peeing In The Snow: New Carols For Modern Times - compiled by Austin-based recording studio Tequila Mockingbird	2001	image
The Right Stuff Christmas Sampler/Holiday Guide - 10-track catalog survey from EMI-distributed reissue label	1996	image
Sampler Claus: A Columbia Stocking Stuffer	1992	image
The Return Of Sampler Claus	1993	image
Sampler Claus Volume III	1998	image
Sampler Claus 2006 - above four issued by Sony-distributed Columbia Records; series includes a few rare or previously unreleased tracks	2006	image
Seasons Greetings From Warner/Chappell Music - great CD sent to business associates by music publishing giant	1998	image
So This Is Christmas - 8-track alternative rock CD from Atlantic Records; cover art by Daniel Johnston	1996	image
Something Festive - A&M Records sampler sold through B.F. Goodrich tire dealerships	1968	image
Songs Of The Season 2003 - part of a series sold only in Kohl's department stores; contains exclusive Lisa Loeb track and rare Rob Thomas single	2003	image
Sounds Of The Season: The Country Collection - compiled by BMG primarily from their catalog	2003	image
Sounds Of The Season: The NBC Holiday Collection - compiled by EMI primarily from their catalog; includes rare tracks from Liz Phair, Coldplay, Lisa Marie Presley	2003	image	buy
Sounds Of The Season: The R & B Collection - compiled by Universal exclusively from their catalog; above three sold only in Target stores	2003	image	buy
Sub Pop Holiday Sound Spectacular - five track sampler hosted by Combustible Edison's The Millionaire; includes two songs from 1994 Sub Pop Christmas Card	1997	image
Sweet Tracks 2003	2003	image	buy
Sweet Tracks 2004	2004	image	buy
Sweet Tracks 2005 - above three sold only in Best Buy electronics stores; all tracks exclusive, rare, or previously unreleased; packaged in specially-designed tin cannisters; series moved to digital-only in 2006, then discontinued	2005	image	buy
A Taste Of Triple A, Vol. 13 - holiday-themed radio promo from "adult album alternative" series	2005	image
Universal Records Christmas Sampler - four previously unreleased alternative rock songs	1997	image
Virgin Christmas CD - UK 2-disc set promoting holiday catalog of Virgin Records	2000	image
Westwood One: A Holiday Happening - part of syndicated radio network's 'Rarities On Compact Disc' series; 24 tracks, some still quite rare, others now common	1992	image
White Christmas Album - Doctor Dream CD sampler packaged like the Beatles' White Album; 10 exclusive tracks featuring Tiny Lights, Walking Wounded	1991	image
Winter Warnerland - exclusive tracks and holiday greetings from Warner Brothers; released as 2-LP set and single CD	1988	image
Wishing You A Way-Cool Yule - produced by EMI Special Markets for Standard Federal Bank (MI)	1999	image
You Sleigh Me - early 9-song promotional version of 12-song 1995 Atlantic album; track selection varies considerably from officially released version; cover art by Daniel Johnston not used on commercial release	1994	image
Yule Fuel: 1992 Rhino Christmas Sampler - 28 tracks taken from the label's varied, voluminous catalog	1992	image
Yulesville - Warner Brothers radio promo with holiday greetings from artists; exclusive songs from Aztec Camera, Los Lobos, and Book Of Love; 12-inch red vinyl LP, never issued on CD	1987	image