There have been many cultural changes when it comes to celebrating Christmas since the 1990s.
The decade saw the rise of Britpop and the Spice Girls’ own brand of “girl power” as well as the release of iconic festive films such as Home Alone.
But for many, thinking of the festive period in the 90s brings back nostalgia-tinted memories of colourful tree lights, homemade decorations and listening to the radio to find out who was crowned Christmas number one – a British festive tradition in its own right.
The official race to become Christmas Number 1 was exciting not just for the musicians in the running, but for those at home gathered around the radio waiting to hear the victorious song with tapes at the ready.
It may not feel quite as monumental in the age of streaming, but being named number one at Christmas is still held in high regard by many.
In the nineties, one band managed the achievement not just once, but three times while boy bands also managed to climb to the top. And that’s without mentioning… some of the more unexpected songs on the chart.
So, without further ado, here is every Christmas number one from the year 1990 all the way to 1999. How many do you remember?

5. 1994: East 17 – Stay Another Day
In 1994 it was boy band East 17 who took home Christmas Number 1 with their iconic Christmas anthem Stay Another Day which is still popular during the holidays three decades on. | Getty Images

6. 1995: Michael Jackson – Earth Song
In 1995, Michael Jackson was the UK’s Christmas Number 1 with Earth Song. While the track may have saw the singer urging the public to consider the planet, it is perhaps more famous for Jarvis Cocker’s onstage interruption of Jackson’s Brit Awards performance. | Getty Images

7. 1996: Spice Girls – 2 Become 1
The Spice Girls won their first Christmas chart battle to become Number 1 in 1996 with one of their early hits 2 Become 1. It sat at the top of the charts for six weeks, selling 209,000 copies within three days of its release. | Getty Images

8. 1997: Spice Girls – Too Much
The Spice Girls’ cemented their chart dominance in 1997 with their second Christmas Number 1 track Too Much. | Redferns


