Christmas music is one of my passions (I have over 130 Christmas CDs), and I can say without any hesitation that this is the best Christmas recording I have ever heard! The Carpenters were one of the early pioneers of blending Christmas instrumental tracks along with vocal ones. Although there are better versions out there of a few of these songs (some of the arrangements have more regard for keeping strict tempos than for the meaning of the words), overall you can find no album that better captures that old-fashioned Christmasy sound that instantly conveys the beauty, nostalgia, and spirituality of the holidays. If you only have the single-disc version that came out in the mid-Eighties, you owe it to yourself to get this complete 2-disc set. Not only will you be getting the 2 complete albums (instead of an edited highlights edition), you'll be getting better sound. Disc 1 (Christmas Portrait) was remixed and remastered and sounds much better that it did on the original release. Disc 2 (An Old-Fashioned Christmas) sounds fine, but it's not quite as clear and full as Disc 1 since it was only remastered but not remixed. There is not as much of Karen on Disc 2 since there were only a few of her tracks left from the "Christmas Portrait" sessions--but that does not detract from this wonderful collection. Like others have mentioned, even non-Carpenters fans enjoy this album. It's probably the most beautiful work they ever did. If you buy no other Christmas album this year, make it a point to buy this one. I can't imagine that anyone would be disappointed.

Since so many people have already reviewed this I will keep my comments short. In one word: MAGNIFICENT! INCREDIBLE! AMAZING! (Ooops, that's more than one word, isn't it...) My family has gone through two sets of these albums on vinyl and I'm on my second set of cassettes. I'm very excited about them finally being on CD. CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT (CD 1) was the Carpenters' first Christmas album, and its awe-inspiring beauty does not let up for even one second. Karen's vocal talents shine for all to hear as do Richard's wonderful gifts of arranging and playing. His "one person chorus" on "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is a powerful opening. It is an equal match to the beauty of Karen's closing "Ave Maria". AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS (CD 2), which was put together after Karen's tragic death, is a wonderful companion to the first. Although the circumstances which made it possible are very sad, this album necessarily gives a greater amount of the spotlight to Richard's genius. His performance of works like "O Holy Night" and excerpts from Tchaikovsky's NUTCRACKER ballet are brilliant examples of his amazing talent. Both of these albums are standards of excellence as to what Christmas albums should be. Even what were less-known works have become staples of the season because of the "Carpenters' touch" they received on these albums. What more can I say other than this: GO GET THESE IMMEDIATELY--IF NOT SOONER!!!

Christmas is always special,especially when you hear these unforgettable holiday classics by The Carpenters. This collection features their classic,original 1978 Christmas album,"Christmas Portrait",which is one of my all-time favorite Christmas albums.Their wonderful renditions of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas","The Christmas song",and their own holiday classic,"Merry Christmas,Darling",are truly legendary Christmas gems! The second CD,which is their 1984 posthumous holiday album,"An Old-Fashined Christmas",contains more great stuff,including wonderful versions of "Home For the Holidays","Little Altar Boy",and,"What Are you doing New Year's Eve?'however,"O Holy Night",and a couple of others,make me sad. Overall,this truly is a fantastic collection,by a legendary musical duo,and your Christmas music collection,would not be complete without it. You will definitely enjoy spending Christmas with The Carpenters!

Christmas Collection brings the Carpenters' two holiday albums together for one double-cd. "Christmas Portrait", the duo's 1978 release, still stands as perhaps the greatest Christmas album ever recorded. Karen's soft, warm voice over a dazzling selection of beautifully arranged Christmas songs, is a perfect cup of hot chocolate for the season. There are just enough standards and new songs to keep everyone happy, while interested. And Richard's choral and orchestral arrangements allow one song to flow gently into the next, creating a symphony of sound that communicates Christmas better than any other CD on the market.

The second disc "An Old-Fashioned Christmas" was released in 1984, a year after Karen's death. Without the same amount of material, Richard re-entered the studio and arranged several additional songs. "Old Fashioned Christmas" is beautiful and perfectly arranged, yet features much less of Karen, understandably. The highlight is the slow-down ballad version of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" - one of the most romantic versions of a children's Christmas song ever attempted. Still, even without Karen on every track, Richard manages to engage the listener with beautiful music that again captures the essence of the season.

Mesmerizing. What beautiful work; glorious arrangements and heavenly production sung by the voice of an angel! Superb!