'I can't hear Mariah Carey for the 1,000th time!' Professional Santas on their most loved – and hated – Christmas hits

The universal language of Christmas: what people put up with (and can't stand) about holiday tunes.

In a country where Christmas music is ubiquitous, we asked some of Britain's most beloved Santas to share their favourite festive tracks - and the ones that drive them absolutely bonkers. Meet Paul Fessi, aka Green Santa; Arnold Warneken AKA Green Santa; Cleve Freckleton, aka Rasta Claus; Joseph Ridgely; Keith Leech; Nigel Harvey AKA Santa Himself, and Simon Anthony.

The list of favourite festive tunes is a diverse one, reflecting each individual's unique personality. From the sultry sounds of Eartha Kitt to the jolly jingles of Jingle Bells - we asked our subjects to tell us what gets them in the holiday spirit. The result? A lively mix of classics and guilty pleasures.

So who can't stand Christmas music? Well, it seems that Arnold Warneken is a bit of a grump when it comes to Spike Jones's 1948 hit All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth. "It's just so cheesy," he admits. Keith Leech, on the other hand, confesses that Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses leaves him "driven bananas". And then there's Simon Anthony, who can't help but roll his eyes at Donny Osmond's festive fare - "you grin and bear it for the love of Christmas".

But what about Mariah Carey fans? It seems they're not as popular with Paul Fessi, aka Green Santa. "I've heard that tune one thousand times," he complains. "It's a bit of an earworm, to be honest."

The power of music to move and uplift is clear in the stories shared by our subjects. From Nigel Harvey AKA Santa Himself's poignant Stop the Cavalry to Joseph Ridgely's touching tale of bringing joy to a young hospital patient - it's clear that Christmas music can be more than just festive fare; it can be a source of comfort, hope and connection.

So what do our Santas hope you'll take away from their stories? "Be open to the magic," says Cleve Freckleton, aka Rasta Claus. And as for Arnold Warneken? "Just stop singing All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth."

ugh mariah carey's christmas album is literally EVERYWHERE rn i get it, it's catchy but like a million times is just too much lol gotta be an earworm for some people but not everyone can handle that kinda vibe and omg spike jones's song is so cheesy who else cant stand those annoying renditions of "jingle bell rock"

I'm still team Platform all the way ! I mean, can you blame Arnold Warneken for not being a fan of that old Spike Jones tune? It's a bit cringeworthy even now. And don't even get me started on Mariah Carey fans - I get it, it's catchy, but come on, Paul Fessi, give the girl some love . But in all seriousness, it's awesome to see our Santas sharing their favorite festive tracks and what gets them going during the holiday season. Cleve Freckleton's advice to be open to magic is a great one - I'm all about spreading that positivity!

I'm so over that one song that just won't quit . You know what really gets me? How some people love a good ol' fashioned musical earworm, while others can't stand it . Like, I get it, Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" is catchy, but come on, Paul Fessi, you've heard it 1000 times? Can't you just skip to the good part? On a more serious note, though, it's amazing how music can evoke such strong emotions and memories. I love that Nigel Harvey's song brought him joy when he brought happiness to a young hospital patient . And let's be real, some people are just grumps during the holidays, but hey, at least they're consistent .

I gotta say, some of these festive tunes are just cringy . Don't get me wrong, I love a good ol' fashioned Christmas jingle as much as the next person, but some of this stuff is like nails on a chalkboard . Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is just so overplayed it's not even funny anymore . And can we please talk about Donny Osmond for a second? That guy's got some serious pipes, but his music is just not my cup of tea .

I also feel you, Paul Fessi (Green Santa) - 1000 times is way too many times to hear that one song . But on the other hand, I can get behind Cleve Freckleton's (Rasta Claus) vibes - "be open to the magic" is so true . And Keith Leech's reaction to "Christmas Wrapping" is pretty relatable too - driven bananas? .

It's also awesome to see some of these Santas sharing their personal stories and what Christmas music means to them ️. Nigel Harvey (Santa Himself) and Joseph Ridgely's tales are really touching, and it's great to see how music can bring people together and provide comfort during tough times .

Anyway, I'm glad I got to read this and share my thoughts . Maybe some of these festive tunes will start growing on me (but probably not ).

I'm like, totally with Cleve on that one "be open to the magic" is so true. You know what's not magical? When Mariah Carey comes blasting out of someone's speakers and just won't stop . And don't even get me started on Paul Fessi's earworm problem... 1000 times is way too many! But you know who gets it right? My grandma, she still listens to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" every year without complaint . That's the kind of holiday spirit I'm all about.

Music is a universal language that can bring people together and lift our spirits during the holiday season . Even if it's cheesy or overplayed, songs like Jingle Bells and Stop the Cavalry have a way of evoking strong emotions and creating a sense of community . As Cleve Freckleton says, "Be open to the magic" - and maybe even find a way to enjoy that earworm Mariah Carey song

omg i feel u arnold warneken his take on spike jones is lowkey hilarious but also kinda relatable tbh i mean who hasn't had to endure some cringeworthy christmas tunes at some point

i love that cleve freckleton aka rasta claus says be open to the magic tho it's so true, christmas music can be so much more than just cheesy jams and earworms what really gets me is when it brings people together like nigel harvey aka santa himself's story about stop the cavalry

ugh i feel u arnold warneken about spike jones's song its like so cheesy and overplayed lol but at the same time i get why people love it its just one of those annoyingly catchy tunes that gets stuck in ur head anyway i think christmas music is def supposed to be fun & festive so let's just agree to tolerate all i want for christmas is my two front teeth

Ugh, can you believe some people just can't handle a little festive cheer? Like, come on, if a song makes someone go "driven bananas", maybe it's not for everyone . But at the same time, I get it, music is super personal and what gets one person in the mood, might be a total grinch for another . And honestly, I'm kinda surprised by how many people can't stand Christmas tunes . Like, don't they know that's what the holiday season is all about?