Of course this year is going to be like none before it. But, there’s still plenty to be merry about. Not least, that there is already enough Christmas content to keep us entertained for five festive seasons indoors! So in celebration of this, we have compiled our Top 5 Trippy Christmas Music Videos!

Ah Christmas songs! Whether you love them or hate them, they really do mark the season. You might squeal with joy when you hear the opening notes of Mariah Carey’s classic… you might growl and cover your ears, reminded of umpteen holiday seasons working in retail. There really isn’t an in-between. However, in amongst all the video clips featuring Santas, fairy lights, snow and cosy cottages — there are a few that lean towards the festive season’s more psychedelic history. We’ve taken some of the best with that trippy flavour — some well-known, so less so — for you to enjoy this holiday season. ( No Mariahs here — sorry!)

Whether you munch on mince-pie or magic mushroom while watching is up to you!

*NSYNC – Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays (1998)

Perhaps the most ’90s thing that ever happened — you can’t blame the festive season for all the frosted tips going on here. Disaster! Santa has a fever (or heartburn or something), and a green PVC wearing elf played by Gary Coleman proclaims ‘Christmas is cancelled!’ It’s up to a hilariously baby-faced Justin and co to take over and deliver the presents. They zoom around in Santa’s sleigh against a very green-screeny backdrop, surprise some ’90s chicks, cuddle some confused babies. In the end, all is well. We don’t find out what happened to ol’ Santa Claus though… with that fever, we hope he’s quarantining at home…

The Darkness – Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) (2003)

The Darkness were the noughties glam-rock revival that no-one asked for, but was definitely needed. These long-haired rockers indulge in all the classic festive fun — snow, twinkling lights, presents — with a knowing look at the camera, as they sneak innuendo after innuendo into their lyrics. (Can you spot them?!) A modern classic.

Run-DMC – Christmas in Hollis (1987)

Would you believe we nearly didn’t have this classic tune? Initially, Run- DMC refused to do a Christmas song, not wanting to become “corny” after having fought so hard for hip-hop’s recognition. Thank goodness they were convinced by the chance to sample Clarence George Carter’s 1968 funk-hit ‘Back Door Santa’. The result is a catchy-as-hell brass hook, and a wholesome rap about all the best holiday foods, as cooked by your mom. The video features a rather suspect-looking Santa, sorting through good and bad children, in what looks like a mall security room. The houses are decorated like a Christmas cartoon, a cheeky elf steals mom’s presents and… is that a dog pulling Santa’s sleigh?!

Wizzard – I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (1973)

The 1970s seemed to be a boom-time for Christmas songs. Maybe because everyone was dressed-up like a Christmas tree all the time anyway. Whatever the reason, this is one of those tunes that, depending on your point of view, has either stood the test of time, or really overstayed its welcome. If one was to try and imagine a psychedelic Santa, you probably couldn’t do better than Wizzard’s singer Roy Wood. With long white hair, and groovy face paint, he’d definitely share some shrooms he’d foraged from the North Pole with you!

Andy Williams – It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (1963)

Just to add some real old-school festive madness, we’ve included this kitsch 1960s fantasy. It may be the most wonderful time of the year but it looks like Williams is deep in his own technicolour trip. Are these luminous Victorians really there? Or just a figment of his imagination? Why won’t they talk to him?! In the end he throws some magical glitter on to them, and they come to life, twirling and whirling like some Dickensian fractal patterns. Why not throw some glitter on your family this festive season and see what happens?

Tips For A Magical Christmas…

We hope you’ve become rosy cheeked and full of seasonal wonder at our top 5 trippy Christmas music videos. And, if you fancy taking that wonder further, why not check out our range of magic truffles and magic mushroom grow kits! A perfect gift for yourself or your loved ones, to sprinkle some magic into what might be a tougher-than-usual Christmas. You’ll be seeing angels in no time!

And! If we’ve missed your favourite festive tune, name-check it in the comments below!

Happy Holidays!