For background music with mostly traditional carols, and beautiful instrumentation, you can't beat Narada's three "Christmas Collection" albums (there's a "Best of Narada Christmas" compilation, as well).

Windham Hill's "Winter's Solstice" series is fantastic, and includes nine entries (including "A Winter Solstice Reunion," "Winter Solstice On Ice," "A Winter’s Solstice – Silver Anniversary Edition," plus a compilation album, "The Essential Winter's Solstice"). Much of the music is "seasonal" (i.e., appropriate to a winter's night), rather than being traditional "Christmas carols"...

My favorite solo piano album with four pieces by David Lanz and Michael Jones. The only complaint is that it's too SHORT! See David's other Christmas album, later in this list.

Story's gentle yet emotional touch with the piano really shines on this solo piano album.

The best from the acoustic duo's two Christmas albums, "The Gift" and "Star Of Wonder."

A timeless classic; this is "real" jazz from a master and his combo, not the commercially-processed "smooth jazz" that cheesy radio stations play.

Not as soothing as "Solstice," David's treatments of traditional carols and some originals are always welcome.

The Japanese keyboardist Kitaro adds an international children's chorus to his usual keyboard mastery.

If you like acoustic guitar, you'll like this album from the Higher Octave label. Also see Ottmar Leibert's "Poets & Angels" (yes, the "Nouveau Flamenco" guy).

A "spacemusic" treatment.

Compilation album of Silver Wave artists like Peter Kater (who has three solo piano albums on his own) and Joanne Shenandoah.

No one knows Herb Alpert and the TJB anymore, but this alternately fun, moving, and stirring album was recorded in their prime.