THE best thing about Christmas must surely be the parties, the get-togethers where you, colleagues, friends and family can let your hair down.

While the booze helps a party along no end, it's the music that really makes it, getting everyone into the festive spirit while they drink the festive spirit.

"The key to having a successful party is the music," says HMV's Gennaro Castaldo. "Make sure you play the right songs for the right audience. What really goes down well at the office party won't always get a good reaction from younger partygoers."

A good mix of old classics with new stuff from the past year is the perfect soundtrack to the perfect Christmas party.

"The music needs to be really upbeat with lots of chart hits, to get everybody dancing," says Gennaro. "Then mix in a few Christmas favourites and ballads later on, when everybody needs to slow down."

OFFICE PARTY

This ultimate Christmas party is usually a drunken affair that will need tried-and-tested cheesy tracks to prolong the fun.

For all those classic tracks from the 80s and 90s that'll have party-goers bellowing along try The Very Best Of School Reunion, which contains classics from the likes of Queen, Kylie and Billy Idol, or Now That's What I Call No 1s for No 1 hits from 80s, 90s and 00s.

And for that, 'Oh my God, I've not heard this for years' moment try Ultimate Boy Bands for some retro and recent pop-flavoured cheese.

TEENAGERS

For fussy teenagers try a mix of pop, R&B, rock and dance music to keep each one happy.

Hit compilations such as Now 65 and Pop Party 4 should provide all the latest chart tunes, while there's a slew of R&B compilations such as The R&B Yearbook 2006 and Massive R&B: Winter Collection 2006.

Rock music has overshadowed most other genres over the past year and there's plenty of rock compilations to soundtrack a rock lover's party - try NME Presents The Essential Bands, The Anthems and The Ultimate Bands: The Classic Anthems.

DINNER PARTY

Traditionally, more mellow music is cited as the best for the more relaxed dinner party - you don't want the music overwhelming the conversation.

Releases from new singer-songwriters on the block such as James Morrison and Scott Matthews should provide such a non-invasive soundtrack, as would the latest album from the more established Damien Rice.

Recent compilation The Definitive Burt Bacharach Songbook should provide some classic easy listening, the old favourites jogging memories, while the more modern Rhythms Del Mundo Cuba should provide talking points.

FAMILY PARTY

The most tricky party of all to soundtrack, thanks to the different generations and potential arguments the music can cause.

Best bet are those compilations that cover hits from different decades, or the fail-safe Christmas album. There's a load of them available this year.

Try The Best Christmas Album In The World, which lives up to its title with classics such as John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War Is Over), Cliff Richard's Mistletoe & Wine and Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody.

Christmas Hits does much the same thing, with the likes of The Pogues Fairytale Of New York and Band Aid's original Do They Know It's Christmas, while Now That's What I Call Xmas has Elton John's Step Into Christmas and Bing Crosby's White Christmas.

* THE battle for the Christmas top spot may be hotting up, but McFly are graciously taking themselves out of the running. The cheeky foursome's double A-side single, Sorry's Not Good Enough/Friday Night, is out now, but the pop sensations are already tipping the X Factor winner to take the coveted spot. "We're not going for it. It would be amazing, but we're not expecting it at all. It will be X Factor for sure," says Tom Fletcher.

"Or something like that," drummer Harry Judd agreed. "We're not bothered."

* MCFLY appear at Harrogate Int Centre on Saturday, March 24, Box Office: 01423-537-230. The tour then moves to the Sunderland Empire on Tuesday, April 3. Tickets are £22.50 and available from the 24 Hour Box Office on 0870 602 1130, from a 24 Hour Credit Card hotline on 0871 2200 260 or online at www.gigsandtours.com