Is Your Office Christmas Playlist Hurting Productivity?
It’s officially December, which means the urge to blast Christmas music in the office is stronger than ever. But before you cue up Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, or your perfectly curated holiday playlist, it’s worth asking: Is festive music helping you work—or slowing you down?
The “music at work” debate tends to split offices into camps. Some people can’t imagine working without their merry melodies, while others need gentle background playlists like “coffeeshop jazz” or “LoFi Girl.” And then there are those who swear by total silence.
But as the holiday countdown ramps up, so does interest in holiday music. In fact, Google searches for “Christmas playlist 2025” have already surged this week. Still, catchy as they are, Christmas classics might not always be productivity-friendly.
What Science Says About Music and Focus
Research published in Nature Neuroscience shows that enjoyable music triggers dopamine release, giving you a natural mood and energy boost. But tempo matters. Studies suggest that music between 50 and 80 beats per minute (BPM) is ideal for maintaining focus during detailed or repetitive tasks.
When the office soundtrack veers too far outside this tempo sweet spot, it can subtly impact mood, energy levels, and performance—no matter how festive the tune.
The Most (and Least) Distracting Christmas Songs
TopResume recently analyzed Spotify’s most popular Christmas tracks and ranked them by BPM to see which ones might derail your concentration.
Most Distracting Holiday Songs
These high-tempo favorites may be better saved for the commute or lunch break:
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Ariana Grande – “Last Christmas” | 206 BPM
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Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters – “Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)” | 203 BPM
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Shakin’ Stevens – “Merry Christmas Everyone” | 203 BPM
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Andy Williams – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” | 202 BPM
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Ariana Grande – “Santa Tell Me” | 192 BPM
Most Productivity-Friendly Holiday Songs
These slower, cozier classics fall right within the optimal focus range:
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Brenda Lee – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” | 67 BPM
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Nat King Cole – “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)” | 73 BPM
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Whitney Houston – “Do You Hear What I Hear?” | 73 BPM
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Vince Guaraldi Trio – “Christmas Time Is Here” | 75 BPM
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Ella Fitzgerald – “Frosty the Snowman” | 77 BPM
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Ella Fitzgerald – “Sleigh Ride” | 77 BPM
Creating a Festive—but Focused—Work Environment
“The end of the year is an especially demanding time for many professionals,” says Amanda Augustine, certified career coach and career expert at TopResume. Between year-end deadlines, holiday obligations, and the winter slowdown, stress can climb quickly. “That’s why it’s so important to create a festive atmosphere at work that doesn’t sacrifice anyone’s focus.”
Fortunately, finding balance doesn’t require being a Grinch. Adjusting the shared office playlist can go a long way. Swap out Ariana Grande’s high-energy hits for Ella Fitzgerald or Nat King Cole, and let noise-canceling headphones handle the rest.
Because yes—it is Christmastime. And yes—we can still get things done.