Christmas Island is a Christmas album by Jimmy Buffett. It was his first Christmas album and was released on October 8, 1996, by MCA and Margaritaville Records. Christmas Island is an album by Jimmy Buffett that features cover versions of popular Christmas songs done in his signature Caribbean style. The album also includes two original songs that he wrote for the album. "Twas the Night Before Christmas" is a hidden track on the album, which is a recitation of the poem of the same name by Clement Clarke Moore. Christmas Island was Jimmy Buffett's last album for MCA Records. He had been with MCA since the release of his first album with them, Volcano, in 1979. After the release of "Christmas Island," MCA dropped Jimmy Buffett from their label. In 1998, he signed with Island Records.

Critical reception

Reviews tend to be mixed for the album. In a positive review, a reviewer states that "Christmas Island will have you on your feet all through the holidays." Rob O'Connor states that "this may not be the traditional Christmas fare of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but for those who enjoy ocean breezes and 'wasting away' to this most successful beach bum, Christmas Island is exactly what the cruise director ordered." Thom Owens presents a more negative view of the album, describing Buffett as being "relaxed and entertaining" even though, "few of his new Christmas songs are remarkable and his rearrangements of classic carols are rather forced." However, several tracks remain very popular around the Christmas season. "Ho Ho Ho & a Bottle of Rum" was the track chosen to be played live for promoting the album when first released, and seems to remain the most popular off the album. Although no singles were released, "Jingle Bells", "Mele Kalikimaka", "Ho Ho Ho & a Bottle of Rhum", "Merry Christmas, Alabama (Never Far from Home)" and the title track get considerable amount of radio airplay during the season.

Track listing

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic. Vocals and musicians Production and design

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts