Entertainers from across the West Rand shared which Christmas carols they love the most, and which ones they can’t stand.

• Actor Oluhle Ncele

Oluhle has acted in movies such as My Brother’s Keeper and Ben Made It. She has expressed her opinion about the songs people might hear in local malls and well-known restaurants.

To her, Christmas songs set a warm, nostalgic tone that brings people together. Personally, she favours the classic song, Silent Night. She describes it as calming and timeless. Her all-time favourite Christmas tunes include Silent Night, O Holy Night and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

However, she cannot stand any overly remixed pop version of Christmas Jingles. For her, it removes the spirit of Christmas.

“I prefer the classics because they hold so much tradition and emotion. I also enjoy modern versions when they bring a fresh twist,” she said.

If Oluhle could write her very own Christmas carol, she would call it Between Snowflakes and Streetlights and she added that it would capture intimate holiday moments.

• Artist Kagiso Segone

Local singer and songwriter Kagiso draws inspiration from personal experiences as well as those of others to create his songs.

His annual Christmas tradition includes listening to Mary’s Boy Child by Boney M. When it comes to a Christmas song that would make him leave the room, he cannot help but choose Jingle Bells.

Even though he enjoys classic Christmas songs, he prefers the modern pop version and explained that it livens the spirit and allows people to have more fun.

If Kagiso could write his own Christmas song, he would name it If Every Day Was Christmas.

• Double Impact music group

Onkabetse Tshoketsi from Double Impact (a music group consisting of nine artists) has a desire to create unique sounds and has been actively performing for two years. He, too, voiced his opinion about his favourite and least favourite Christmas beats.

A Christmas song he will never get tired of is the group’s own songs, namely I’m Ready, Buckle Up and Shap Fede. He also appreciates the infectious joy that Biri Marung, sung by Tebogo G, brings.

“These songs bring the excitement and energy that would make any Christmas playlist unforgettable,” he noted.

When it comes to his least favourite, he is not fond of songs that are overly repetitive or modern enough to lack soul. A song that fits the bill for them is the globally recognised All I Want for Christmas Is You.

“It’s not because I dislike it, but because it’s been overplayed to the point where it loses its magic,” he said.

He appreciates both classic and modern Christmas songs. He explained classics like Jingle Bells and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas bring back nostalgic memories, while newer songs add a more vibrant spirit to Christmas.

If he could write his own song with his group, they would call it Joy in the Moment.

“The song would focus on embracing the spirit of Christmas while spreading love and cherishing time with family and friends.”