Celebrating 27 Years of Home For Christmas!
As the holiday lights start to twinkle and the air grows crisp, we’re wrapping ourselves in one of the warmest pop-holiday memories: *NSYNC’s Home for Christmas. Yes — it’s been 27 years since the album arrived on November 10, 1998.
This album holds a special place for *NSYNC fans who still make it part of their holiday tradition — pressing play from start to finish every year. It’s the record that turned cozy holiday moments into pop-chorus sing-alongs, from “Under My Tree” to the unforgettable “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.”
That lead single — co-written by Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez — instantly hooked listeners with its joyful chorus:
It’s a wonderful feeling / Feel the love in the room from the floor to the ceiling / It’s that time of year / Christmas time is here / And with the blessings from above / God sends you His love / And everything’s OK / Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!
The song became an instant seasonal favorite, reaching No. 37 on Billboard’s Mainstream Top 40 chart and earning a permanent spot on countless holiday playlists.
The music video is pure ’90s festive fun: Santa gets sick, and Gary Coleman — playing a mischievous elf — snaps his fingers, and poof — *NSYNC appears to save the day. The guys step in to take over Santa’s sleigh and deliver gifts, with plenty of playful chaos along the way. And if you look closely, the “snow” falling around them is actually white feathers drifting through the air. It’s got all the sparkle and cheer to fill the North Pole, and the holiday spirit is 100% real.
Beyond the fun, the real magic of Home for Christmas comes from the five-part harmonies that made *NSYNC who they are. It’s also one of the rare albums where Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass each get moments in the spotlight. Chris leads tracks like “I Guess It’s Christmas Time” and “All I Want Is You (This Christmas),” while Joey, Justin, and Chris shine together on “It’s Christmas.” And on “The Only Gift,” Chris, Joey, and Lance share vocals, giving fans a real treat to hear every member’s voice take center stage.
The group’s a cappella rendition of “O Holy Night” remains one of their most impressive vocal showcases — a reminder of just how beautifully their voices blended long before studio polish.
Most of the album’s original songs — like “Under My Tree,” “The Only Gift,” and “I Never Knew the Meaning of Christmas” — strike a perfect balance of pop and holiday cheer. Alongside these originals are classic carols that *NSYNC makes entirely their own, including their soulful cover of K-Ci & JoJo’s “In Love on Christmas,” featuring stunning verses from JC and Justin.
With over 2 million copies sold in the U.S. and a spot among the top holiday albums of the SoundScan era, Home for Christmas remains a must-play every December. These 14 (or 16, on the deluxe edition) tracks walk the perfect line between nostalgia and timeless pop warmth.
So whether you’ve been playing this record since ’98 or you’re discovering it for the first time, raise a virtual mug of cocoa to 27 years of *NSYNC holiday magic. Press play, let the harmonies warm your heart, and sing it loud: “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!”
🎧 Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music below!
🎥 Watch the original music video and the 2023 animated version below, where *NSYNC takes to the skies in paper-doll form, delivering gifts across a bustling city on Christmas Eve.