I'm a big fan of the Carols for a Cure series. Their blend of classic carols, original songs, and truly bizarre novelty material never fails to put me in the holiday spirit.
What do you think the best tracks, or the standouts that everyone should hear at least once, are? I'm partial to the three-part men's chorus of "We Three Kings" on Volume 2 as far as serious material goes, but Harvey Fierstein and the cast of Hairspray performing the South Park Dreidel, Dreidel fugue on Volume 5 is hysterical.
The Thirteen Days of Christmas from the Addams Family Cast (with Roger Rees after he took over for Nathan Lane) cracks me up every time I hear it.
I don't think I have heard any of the really early CD's. I think the first years I heard were maybe 2007-08 Volume 8..and all since then. I look forward to this years..it's usually a holiday gift for me under the Christmas tree so I haven't bought it yet..but I should have it soon. : )
Variations on The 12 Days of Christmas by the various casts, based on what it's like to be in specific shows, have been popping up since the first volume's "12 Days of Phantom," if I recall. But Putnam has the best one.