I love listening to festive music at this time of year. In the car, on the radio and via YouTube playlists when I’m in the bath. But most of all I love listening to music on a record player. I have countless Christmas compilation LPs, from carols to contemporary, and there’s nothing better than listening to chilled-out festive tunes on a mid-century record player.

In fact, I’ve written about my love of our vintage Dansette in Reclaim magazine this year. And it was while doing my research into these vintage players that I discovered just how important it is to use the right machine to listen to older LPs.

Did you know that new record players often have a heavier weight on the arm, and can cause damage to a vintage record? This is precisely why I’ve stuck with my Dansette all these years, as most of my albums are inherited originals and I don’t want to scratch them!
My Dansette has been repaired in the past, and it’s just gone back to our local radio restorer to have a tune-up in time for Christmas. I think there’s no better way to listen to festive music than on a record player, and especially retro record players. I can’t wait to get my Dansette back in the living room this December.

A crackling Christmas carol playing on a record player is the perfect soundtrack for decorating the tree or baking mince pies. Even your Christmas dinner should be accompanied by a vintage festive tune. And what better way to get people rocking around the Christmas tree than with a classic seasonal song blaring out of the speakers.

While it is possible to find reconditioned originals online, if you’re planning invest in a record player you might like to buy retro designs through retailers like Rockit. That way, you won’t have the ongoing repair bills that we have to endure to keep our Dansette going!

We keep our record player on our vintage Ladderax shelving unit, which has a built-in LP storage cupboard, but in the past I’ve DIY’d an 80s style neon, paint-splattered record player unit from some old shelving. So, it doesn’t really matter what your style is – you’ll be sure to find a record player that suits your home.

It’s also really easy to find festive LPs in your local charity shops – I’ve even got multiples of the NOW Christmas record because I’ve picked it up on more than one occasion, not realising that we already had it! Just go for a rummage while you’re out doing your festive shopping and I’ll bet you’ll come away with a few albums for less than a fiver.

That’s an instant soundtrack to your entire Christmas right there – whether you’re chilling out at home, baking, wrapping gifts or having a party. And how cute would it be for the kids to fall asleep on Christmas eve while listening to carols on an LP! So, what do you think? Will you listen to festive music on a record player this year? Let me know if so in the comments below 🙂

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