People have some pretty strong opinions about Christmas music.

For some, it ushers in the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

For others, not so much so.

And ironically, there are articles literally claiming each side, with this one saying that, "...listening to Christmas songs may make you feel nostalgic for your childhood or just generally happy".

While a competing write-up says that, "Studies show that hearing Christmas songs too many times increases stress."

So, which is it?

Well, that depends on you, and depending on which way you lean you probably either love or hate these 5 Christmas songs that, let's just say they evoke strong emotions:

Dominick The Donkey - Lou Monte

I was surprised to learn that Dominick has mostly been a New York and New Jersey phenomenon. Like Mischief Night, most people outside our area have never heard of an Italian Christmas donkey. For some, Dominick is an adorable image of a happy helper to Santa, while others just keep hearing the incessant "hee-haw hee-haw" over and over again.

Oh, and then a few years ago it went viral in the U.K. Go figure.

The Christmas Shoes - NewSong

Love it or hate it, can we all agree that there's nothing uplifting about this song? It's about a kid who wants to buy shoes for his/her dying mother at Christmas. Sweet? Sure.

Uplifting and happy? Not so much so. And then Hollywood had to go and get involved, too.

Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord - Boney M.

Categorized as a "Euro Disco Christmas Song"  (which I'm willing to go out on a limb and bet is a category of one), the 1978 recording by German disco group Boney M. (which, for just a little context on the mind behind it, was the brainchild of the same guy who was responsible for Milli Vanilli) isn't exactly a traditional Christmas carol. But hey, if you like some variety in your Christmas music, here it is!

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas - Gayla Peevey

It was 65 years ago that 10-year-old Gayla Peevey pleaded with Santa for an animal that scientists have referred to as, "the most aggressive animals on Earth". Cute? Sure, the adorable little girl surely had no idea that she was hoping for the beast that, "kills more people in Africa than any other animal".

As a fun post-script to the whole thing, by the way, 7 decades later, wouldn't you know, Gayla Peevey got her hippo.

The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't be Late) - David Seville and the Chipmunks

In 1958, Ross Bagdasarian Sr. needed a hit record, pitched up the speed, and the rest is history. For some, the song evokes happy childhood memories of the misadventures of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, while others just hear some dude squeaking out of their speakers.

"Some dude", by the way, who became quite rich thanks to that clever trick.

So where do you stand on these 5 polarizing Christmas songs? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

What songs would you add to the list? Stop by our Facebook page and join the debate!