"Christmas Carol," Nerissa and Katryna Nields (Zoe/Rounder)

The duo, formerly a band called The Nields, put this sweet angst-y ballad on their 2002 album Love and China. Now that they're no longer a full band, they emphasize the folk and harmony on this reluctant ode to family and togetherness. If mellow isn't your speed, the full band back in 1994 did "Merry Christmas, Mr. Jones," more angst but with a beat, in a holiday tune addressed to a favorite former teacher on the topics of fitting in and greeting a new baby. That's from the album Bob on the Ceiling. (That one's hard to find even via the Amazon link; the band does have it for sale at their website, however.)