Darius Rucker’s Most Memorable Christmas Gift Foresaw His Future

Darius Rucker released a Christmas album called Home For The Holidays in 2014 and included an original song he co-wrote called “What God Wants For Christmas.” In the project, Darius also covers such classics as “Let It, Snow, Let It, Snow, Let It, Snow,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and the fun “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” He also featured Sheryl Crow on a version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

When he first released the album in October of 2014, he said, “I am so excited to finally make a Christmas album. This has been a lifelong dream, and I hope my fans enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making it.” As for his favorite Christmas album of all time, he said, “It’s probably that Motown Christmas album that’s probably my favorite; I’ve heard that so many times since I was a kid. I just love that record. I mean, the takes on all the classic Christmas songs by those Motown producers, it’s definitely my favorite Christmas album.”

A few years ago, Rucker shared with us his favorite memory from Christmas, “I was like 10 or 11, and I really wanted a guitar and didn’t think we could afford it, and didn’t think I was gonna get it and when I woke up Christmas morning I had a guitar under the tree. And I remember crying. I was so excited; that was a big moment for me.”

The holidays are all about family for Darius. He noted, “Christmas is really that time where that’s another thing with family. You get together, and the celebration of the birth of Christ is one of those things that I never take for granted. We always try to make it special. Because Christmas comes just once a year, and it’s a holy, great holiday, and we try to make it special for the family.” He added, “I don’t want anything for Christmas. I bought all my stuff all year; if I see it and I want it, I buy it, so Christmas is that time where I really go out of my way to make sure everybody else feels special.”

Darius recently posted a photo of himself with a Mike Tyson Christmas sweater. He wrote on Instagram, “The only Christmas sweater I need!!! @miketyson.”

GALLERY: 25 Of Country Music's Best Christmas Songs

• 25. “The Christmas Guest” – (1987) Reba McEntire – Merry Christmas To You

  Share

  This song was written by Grand Ole Opry star Grandpa Jones and was a fan favorite on Reba’s very first Christmas album.

• 24. “Feliz Navidad” – (2016) Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood (2016) – Christmas Together

  Share

  A Christmas song written and recorded in 1970 by Puerto Rican singer/songwriter José Feliciano. Garth and Trisha sang the song together at Disney Park’s Christmas celebration in 2016.

• 23. “Glow” – (2021) Kelly Clarkson with Chris Stapleton – When Christmas Comes Around…

  Share

  It’s a brand new gem from Kelly’s newest Christmas album. Stapleton previously co-wrote a song for Clarkson with Justin Timberlake called “Born To Die” on the soundtrack to the feature film ‘Trolls World Tour.’
• 22. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (2007) Martina McBride – White Christmas (2007 Reissue)

  Share

  A classic done to perfection. This was on Martina’s second reissue of her 1998 White Christmas album. She kept adding more songs with each reissue.

• 21. “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy” (2006) Brad Paisley – Brad Paisley Christmas

  Share

  A song originally record in 1965 by Buck Owens. A true classic that has been done by Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt and even the cast of Duck Dynasty. Paisley, who was a friend of Buck for years before he died in 2006, does it best.

• 20. “Frosty the Snowman” (1986) George Strait – Merry Christmas Strait to You

  Share

  George’s first Christmas album, this classic is pure Strait, a fun version of a song we all know the words to, thanks to Gene Autry.
• 19. “Run, Run Rudolph” (2008) Luke Bryan

  Share

  Luke’s take on the Chuck Berry classic. Luke is one country star who has yet to do a whole Christmas album.

• 18. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (feat. Camila Cabello)” Kacey Musgraves (2019) – The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show

  Share

  A solid version of one of the best Christmas songs of all time. Kacey performed it with Camila on her Amazon holiday TV special.

• 17. “Winter Wonderland” (2012) Blake Shelton – Cheers, It’s Christmas

  Share

  This song has been covered by so many country stars, but Blake’s is one of the best. Shelton reissued this album in 2017.
• 16. “O Holy Night” (1998) Martina McBride – White Christmas

  Share

  Of all the versions of this song, Martina McBride’s 1998 version is still the very best. Which is saying something: the song has been around since 1847.

• 15. “Mary, Did You Know?” (2020) Dolly Parton – A Holly Dolly Christmas

  Share

  This was the song Dolly released before the album and her version is so touching. The whole album is nominated for a Grammy at the upcoming 2022 show in January.

• 14. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (2016) Chris Young – It Must Be Christmas

  Share

  Chris Young loves Christmas and a holiday album was on his wish list from the beginning of his career. In 2016, his wish came true and this is the highlight of the project.
• 13. “Baby It’s Cold Outside (feat. Ronnie Dunn)” (2013) Kelly Clarkson – Wrapped In Red

  Share

  Kelly’s version with Ronnie Dunn rises to the top as their voices sound so natural together.

• 12. “The Christmas Song” (1987) Reba McEntire – Merry Christmas To You

  Share

  Yeah, it’s that familiar song and Reba does it better than anyone.

• 11. “Little Drummer Boy (feat. Isaiah Fisher)” (2020) Carrie Underwood – My Gift

  Share

  This song will make anyone smile and hearing Carrie’s young son sing with his mom is just adorable.
• 10. “Little Saint Nick” (2012) Lady A – On This Winter’s Night (Deluxe Version)

  Share

  Charles Kelley’s singing of this classic Beach Boys Christmas song is infectious. It even holds up to the original.

• 9. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (2016) Brett Eldredge – Glow

  Share

  This is only Brett’s third album and timed just right to show everyone just who is “Mr. Christmas” in country music. All the songs on this amazing album are great.

• 8. “Hell of a Holiday” (2021) Pistol Annies – Hell of a Holiday

  Share

  The title track of this brand-new album from the Pistol Annies. This original song might just be a future holiday standard.
• 7. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside (feat. Meghan Trainor)” (2016) Brett Eldredge – Glow

  Share

  Yes, we already included a version of this song by Kelly Clarkson and Ronnie Dunn, but Brett and Meghan Trainor’s version is just magical. It would have made Dean Martin proud.

• 6. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (2014) Darius Rucker – Home For the Holidays

  Share

  A fun song and one that is rarely covered. Darius said when the album came out, "I am so excited to finally make a Christmas album. This has been a lifelong dream, and I hope my fans enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making it."

• 5. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (2012) Lady A – On This Winter’s Night

  Share

  One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs and Lady A’s version of the song is one I put on repeat. Hillary Scott sings with such fun and excitement in her voice on their version. It’s a mood lifter for sure.
• 4. “I’ll Be Your Santa Tonight” (2019) Keith Urban

  Share

  Keith Urban needs to do a holiday album if all the songs on it will be as good as this Christmas single he released in 2019.

• 3. “A Christmas to Remember” (1984) Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers – Once Upon a Christmas

  Share

  An original song written by Dolly that has become a true classic.

• 2. “Hallelujah” (2020) Carrie Underwood & John Legend – My Gift

  Share

  This song is sung so very beautifully and so was the video that Carrie and John Legend filmed during 2020. The video won a 2021 CMT Music Award.
• 1. ”You Make It Feel Like Christmas (feat. Blake Shelton)” (2017) Gwen Stefani -You Make It Feel Like Christmas

  Share

  You can say Gwen isn’t country but with her husband Blake Shelton she has charted two number one country songs. Their voices together and the song’s sweet message are all number one material.