Despite causing Radio 1 to change and change again their stance on dubbing certian lyrics from the Pogues' hit Fairytale of New York, the song's endurability has proved a clear favourite among contributors.

As for my own choice it has to be Mariah Carey's All I want for Christmas. I know it's cheesey as, but that's exactly the point of Christmas songs!

Rosalind Lowery, Arts Development Office, The Braid: "My favourite Christmas song is Away in a Manger - only because I had organised a Christmas switch-on ceremony at the Bandstand in Ballymena a few years ago and we printed a few hundred copies of carol service sheets with all the carols printed so everyone could sing along - all was going fine until someone spotted a misprint on this carol - it read Away in a Manager! It still makes me laugh."

Cherith Boyle, local singer-songwriter: "One of my favourite Christmas songs is Silent Night sang by Stevie Nicks, Silent Night has a timeless quality and instantly gives me that Christmas feeling of nostalgia. I also love Stevie Nicks voice in this, it has a vunerability but yet powerful emotion."

Catherine Pollitt, Madd House Studios: "My favourite has to be Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty Macoll. I was blown away by the irreverant humour of the song which manages to be so poignant at the same time, as a fighting couple look back on how they met. I particularly love the line when she accuses him of stealing her dreams but he replies that he "kept them with me babe, and made them my own" - now that's romance!"

Desima Connolly Community Arts Outreach Officer with Antrim Borough Council: "It has to be Frankie Goes to Holywood The Power of Love. It's not really a Christmas song but it was released in December 1984 and I think was the Christmas No1?. It was the first single (vinyl I have to add) that I bought along with Prince's album Purple Rain. I was still at primary school, and gave my big sister my pocket money to get it for me. I was so excited when she returned home with my first ever record! It's just a lovely atmospheric song that still manages to give me goosebumps and reminds me of the excitement of Christmas when you're a kid. Dark evenings and a bit of magic!"

Jayne Clarke, Curator of Ballymena Museum: "I don't like most Christmas music as most of it has become very ubiquitous - bah humbug! - I do have a soft spot for Fairy Tale of New York by the Pogues and Kirsty McCall because it's atypical and because oddly it's very romantic."

Ciaron Nelson, Team Leader at Ballymena HMV: "Like many I've chosen Fairytale of New York but I'm going to be controversial and opt for the Christy Moore version. It's basically the same as the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's version but with Christy and an acoustic guitar. The version on the Live at the Point is super and Christy throws in some funny remarks which show his admiration for Pogues' frontman Shane McGowan. Plus when you hear that song, you know Christmas is just around the corner."

Karen Elliott, Starburst Theatre School: "The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot. This piece conjures up the image of what Christmas is about. Because the little boy didn't have a daddy, Santa didn't come and he went home to broken toys. I get a lump in my throat when I picture the image."

Rodney Beggs, local singer-songwriter: "It would be easy to pick the Pogues' Fairytale of New York for the simple fact its such a great party tune but I have to say, Oh Holy Night is my personal favourite. I think of carols, snow, carol singers, the cold, the family and everything that I feel christmas should be all about when i hear this song. The story behind Christmas I feel is evident in this song, the birth of Christ and why we celebrate this time of year; it takes away the madness of the shopping, presents and greed that surrounds Christmas so much now."

Dessie Blackadder, Ballymena and Antrim Times editor: "I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake. The bassist with Emerson Lake and Palmer scored a huge solo hit with this number. A firm fixture in Christmas compilations which have obviously been made up by people who have never truly considered the lyrics to this song."

Karen Fullerton, Ballymena Times Deputy Editor: "Let it Snow by Dean Martin. I love the snow - when I's inside looking out the window at it! I love the thought of curling up in front of a roaring open fire with a good book and all the time in the world to enjoy it. Sadly, I don't have an open fire or much free time... but it's a nice thought!"

Joe Boyd, Ballymena and Antrim Times Churches correspondent: "Christmas Time (Don't let The Bells End) by The Darkness. This is an absolute screamer of a Christmas song, which although it was only released four years ago, is a throwback to some of the classic festive tracks from the 1970s. The whole concept is a gem."