To me, Perry Como means two things: Christmas and, of course, sweaters. Although, as a kid, I didn't really pay a lot of attention to his annual Christmas television shows, it just wasn't Christmas without them being there year after year. So no, I can't tell you what tracks should be included on a definitive collection of Perry Como's greatest Christmas songs or compare and contrast his different recordings of certain songs over the years. What I can tell you is that this is one of the "biggest" collections of his Christmas music, with 21 songs (over an hour of music) varying from traditional Christian classics such as "O Holy Night" and "Ave Maria" to children's favorites like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman" to more modern classics such as "White Christmas" and "Silver Bells."

In other words, there's really something for everyone to be found on this album, and most listeners will no doubt enjoy every single one of the tracks.

Perry Como was as laid-back of a crooner as there ever was. The man was a terrific singer (one listen to "Ave Maria" will cast aside any doubt on that point), but his music probably won't increase any child's excitement for Christmas morning or send shivers down the spines of many Christians. Instead, Como instills a remarkable calmness to the atmosphere, and that's something that many seek to find during the hustle and bustle of the season.

This album would make for wonderful background music at parties, and I played it this year while I wrapped presents (an activity that can sometimes become rather frustrating on its own) -- but these songs are also quite worthy of the listener's serious and careful attention, as well. I believe that most adults struggle with the feeling that Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas anymore, and I think Perry Como's Christmas music offers us a way to reconnect -- no matter how slightly -- with some of the memories of what seems to have been lost in recent years.

Perry Como and Christmas just belong together.