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Christmas is the time of the year when we’re allowed and encouraged to think more with our hearts than our brains.
People are less uptight and more open to activities they’d otherwise label “ridiculous,” such as singing Christmas carols or spending money on gifts for people they see once a year.
For this reason, it’s the perfect time to convince your family and friends to give Beat Saber a try.
No matter who it is, anyone trying VR (let alone Beat Saber) will look hilarious.
A good hearty laugh and a little exercise are great to get the holiday cheer going – so here’s some custom holiday-themed song map mods to set the mood.
Few songs can stand the test of time like 12 Days of Christmas, a holiday classic sung by the celebrating masses since 1780 – and possibly even beforehand.
Most of you must know this song by heart, but those who don’t might notice something strange as you listen to the 12 gifts.
Items like a pear tree, French hens, and “colly birds” are just plain weird – even for the late 18th century. There are theories, but we may never really know what any of it has to do with Christmas.
The lyrics may be weird, but this version of the song performed by American Christian rock band Relient K is full of youthful energy and Christmas cheer that’ll make you forget about it and enjoy yourself.
Jingle Bells was first composed by James Lord Pierpont in 1850.
Since then, it took the world by storm, becoming a familiar tune for billions of people.
One of my favorite versions of the song comes from American artist Gwen Stefani, who turned the classic Christmas tune into a dance track to get your body jingling.
While the song is still about riding on a one-horse open sleigh, the lyrics have been modernized, removing any mention of the mysterious Fanny Bright.
I guess you’re supposed to picture you’re riding with Gwen.
7. I don’t care about Christmas, though – Camellia ft. Nanahira
Give this eclectic Japanese future funk bop a try for something completely out of the ordinary.
It’s a cheery tune, but it’s actually about the singer’s lack of interest in Christmas.
She says she doesn’t have the holidays marked on her calendar, that Santa doesn’t exist, and that she really doesn’t give a damn.
It’s the perfect song for the smelly weeb in all of us – the one who’d rather spend Christmas playing Beat Saber than partying or celebrating with their family.
Based on the Ukrainian folk song “Shchedryk,” the Carol of the Bells has been playing in Christmas celebrations since 1914.
Unlike most Christmas songs which go for a cheery, fun, and catchy tune, Carol of the Bells has a much more epic feel.
I know that “have an epic Christmas” doesn’t sound quite right, but this song’s popularity proves that the public is open to the idea.
The epicness only increases in this performance by all-female Irish ensemble Celtic Woman. The haunting vocals and dramatic violin are strangely reminiscent of a Dark Souls boss fight or something similar.
We’ve taken a look at several tried-and-true classics already.
But it’s time to bridge the gap between the past and the present with Ed Sheeran & Elton John’s Merry Christmas.
This merry tune was written to become a millennial holiday anthem that could still be enjoyed by the old-timers. There is nothing millennials like more than Ed Sheeran, and Elton John is just timeless.
Personally, I doubt the song will have a tenth of the cultural impact of Jingle Bell Rock or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – but it’s still a fun map to play around the holidays.
You won’t find anything quite as dramatic as Wham!’s Last Christmas on your average shopping mall holiday playlist – and the same goes for your Beat Saber roster.
Whereas most Christmas songs focus on the positive, Last Christmas is about an aching heart. Christmas is a difficult time for many of us, romantically or otherwise, so this song just hits different around the holidays.
Despite its yearning lyrics, the melody itself isn’t sad or slow. If anything, it sounds peaceful and even a little bit romantic.
Maybe you’ll find another broken heart to kiss under the mistletoe after you master this song on Expert+ difficulty?
2. Jingle Bells – Wolfgang Lohr & Balduin ft. Scarlett Quinn
Jingle Bells can’t be missing from any respectable holiday playlist.
It’s among the most popular Christmas songs in the US, and people worldwide know the lyrics.
Electronic musicians Wolfgang Lohr and DJ Balduin team up with hip hop artist Scarlett Quinn for a modernized version of Jingle Bells with deep respect for the original material.
It’s ideal for Christmas Beat Saber!
1. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – Lindsey Stirling
Going out with your family to watch the Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition nearly everywhere where ballet is a thing.
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is the most well-known song in Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s score for the ballet, and this cover by Lindsey Stirling is a beautiful take on this classic.
Lindsey’s violin can make anything sound tense and exciting.
It’s perfect for the challenging difficulty of this map – especially playing Expert+.
If you couldn’t hit the theater with your parents this year, maybe it’s time to introduce them to Beat Saber.
Expect lots of laughter and maybe a pulled muscle or two, depending on their age.
Nelson Chitty is a Venezuelan expat living in Argentina. He’s a writer and translator passionate about history and foreign cultures. His ideal weekend is spent between leisurely playing games of Civilization VI and looking for the next seinen anime to marathon.
