VA - Putumayo Presents - A Family Christmas (2009)

VA – Putumayo Presents: A Family Christmas (2009) is a festive world-music compilation released by Putumayo World Music, known for its globally inspired collections. Designed to be family-friendly and culturally diverse, the album presents Christmas classics and seasonal songs interpreted by artists from different countries and musical traditions.

Unlike traditional Christmas albums focused only on Western pop or classical carols, this collection blends Latin, African, Caribbean, folk, and acoustic styles, creating a warm and multicultural holiday atmosphere. The arrangements are generally light, joyful, and accessible—perfect for background listening during holiday gatherings.

Musical Style

The album features

Gentle acoustic guitars and folk instrumentation

Latin rhythms and Caribbean grooves

Soft world-music percussion

Multilingual vocals and international interpretations of holiday themes

The mood is relaxed, cheerful, and inclusive, reflecting Putumayo’s signature approach of presenting world music in a friendly, approachable way for listeners of all ages.

Notable Artists on the Compilation

Some contributors include

Teresa Andersson

The Christmas Jug Band

Ruthie Foster

Badi Assad

Each artist brings a different cultural flavor, ranging from blues-gospel interpretations to Brazilian and acoustic folk renditions of seasonal songs.