Far be it to argue with Kassi. Some people say that depression rates go up during the holidays, and they're wrong. It's just that incidents of goth occur more frequently. So for your listening pleasure we've put together a special playlist so that Santa knows to drop off some boots and stuff with ankhs on it this year. A little black tape for a blue Christmas, if you catch our drift.

Sorry, it's cliché, but all goths love this movie and for many it's the gateway drug into spookiness anyway. It would just be weird to neglect a track from the Burton classic film.

Most of the really traditional carols really are kind of creepy when you take a look at them. Think of Nox Aracana as a kind of goth Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Their rendition of "Coventry Carol" from Winter's Knight haunts beautifully.

Rocks Off: Hey! Alien Sex Fiend has a gothic Christmas song called "Stuff the Turkey!" The Wife With One F: Isn't that more of a Thanksgiving song? Rocks Off: It walks the line.

Cruxshadows has grown on us since we heard their song "Wake the White Queen" on Where's Neil When You Need Him? The really do one of our favorite John Lennon tunes justice here.

We officially drafted the Kinks into goth when we included them in our Bela Lugosi tribute, so we don't want to hear any argument.

Then again, not everyone gets into the Christmas spirit. On other hand, no one's ever put techno in our stocking, and we would really like some.

What would Gothmas be without a visit from the Cthulhu Mythos? The H. P, Lovecraft Historical Society doesn't do anything that isn't brilliant, and Old One carols are no different.

Damnit, Peter, why did you have to go? No one will ever define goth metal like Type O Negative did, and murder on Christmas is just one of the many delights they offered. We miss you, dude!

Have you ever wondered what a Christmas special starring Tom Waits and Peter Murphy would be like? No? Just us? Well, you're going to listen to it anyway, little missy.

We couldn't let you go out on a funny note. It doesn't get any better than "O Holy Night."

• Gothtopia