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."

Here are our 25 favorite country music Christmas songs. We’ve included some newer ones, so hopefully you’ll find some new favorites for your next holiday gathering!