Ever since I was little, my big thing this time of year has been getting into the holiday spirit (I would say Christmas but I don’t need more people complaining).

But now that I’m in college, it’s a lot harder to find that awesome feeling I used to get when I would sit at the base of my parents 10 foot tree with a glass of egg nog (and rum).

The only tree I’ve had at college was this fake one we found in our attic two years ago. But hanging beer cans on it didn’t quite do the trick to get me excited.

And with the pressure of finals and gift buying lingering over my head, time flies and the spirit I yearn for gets lost.

But through my family’s love for music I have learned to embrace Christmas music and use it to brighten my spirit.

I’m not talking about music you hear in church or when those annoying carolers come to your door; I’m talking about Christmas songs done by great artists in the music industry.

It all started when I was younger and my uncle made us a tape of Christmas music. Songs such as “Silver Bells” by Paul Simon and Steve Martin grabbed my attention with Martin saying lines like “feeding the naked” and “clothing the hungry” and “put your feet up on a burning log.”

And who can forget the David Bowie and Bing Crosby pairing for “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth” or Bruce Springsteen doing “I Saw Momma Kissing Santa Claus.”

When we started getting the “Very Special Christmas” volumes I couldn’t wait to hear Run DMC’s songs “Christmas in Hollis” and “Christmas Is . “.

You can’t go wrong with Run DMC during the holidays.

Your holidays must also have hilarious songs like Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukkah Song” and “Twelve Days of Christmas” by Bob and Doug McKenzie.

But it’s difficult to find good Christmas albums anymore. With crap like “TRL Christmas” and artists like ‘NSync and Destiny’s Child putting out Christmas records, everything is too cheesy.

So last year my family hit up the Internet to see what we could rock out to for the holidays. Did you know that bands such as Linkin Park, Deftones, Eve 6, Local H, Blink-182, Weezer, Fuel, Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins have Christmas songs?

These songs are so much better than, say, Christina Aguilera doing an overproduced version of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” because they are real songs made with real instruments and real emotion.

Hearing Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder sing about Christmas is more fulfilling because you know he is singing from the heart as opposed to trying to make a bunch of money like the pop stars.

There is one group who has been making amazing Christmas music for as long as I can remember and is continuing this year with a new album – Mannheim Steamroller. There is just something about the music that group creates that gets the holiday juices flowing.

But no matter how awesome Mannheim or any rock band’s Christmas music can be, there is only one Christmas album that will sit atop the rest.

This record changed my life and restores the Christmas spirit in me every time I hear it – “Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics” from “South Park.”

There is just something about a piece of poo (Mr. Hankey) spreading holiday cheer that puts a smile on my face. With Eric Cartman singing “O Holy Night” and “Swiss Colony Beef Log” and Mr. Garrison’s version of “Merry Fucking Christmas,” this record just won’t stop pumping out the hits.

So if this holiday season isn’t finding you in a loving and giving spirit, just remember one thing.

“Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo, he loves me, I love you. Therefore vicariously he loves you … You can make a Mr. Hankey too!”

Kyle Moss is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale.