With vinyl record sleeves, all themes are possible. And if there's one that has been exploited to the fullest, it's Christmas. So here is our inevitably subjective selection of the best Christmas sleeves, across 10 unofficial categories.
The most "ho ho ho ho ho"
A clear victory for this sleeve of a work by Brazilian harpist Silvio Solis released in 1979.
The most "will it snow for Christmas?"
A beautiful contribution from the "Chorale à Voie Libre de l'Union Artistique Intellectuelle des Cheminots Français" with this sleeve showing the magnificent onion dome bell tower of the Combloux station.
The most Tino Rossi
The author of "Petit Papa Noël" (a song that will now accompany you for the rest of the day after reading this article) deserved a category all to himself, a category won by this sleeve on which he finally reveals his terrible secret about the existence of Santa Claus.
The most psychopathic
Will this little girl, straight out of the movie The Exorcist, eat daddy and mommy's figurines?
The most passé
Sacha Distel, looking haggard and "biscotte-shaven" like after a hangover, seems to have been hit by a guano attack from the lake seagulls in the background. Really sorry, Sacha.
The most large family
Four children (one of whom is sticking a candle up their nose) in four years: good score, madam!
The sexiest
At this rate, he's going to be late for deliveries, Santa! Blame Montreal Sound and their Christmas Disco Party.
The most graphic
We were struck by this sleeve of a 1963 compilation sponsored by Mobil. And to think we believed Santa's reindeer ran on water...
The most "BAT error"
Major printing error for this CBS compilation: everyone can clearly see it's an image for Little Red Riding Hood!
The most Rock'n'Roll
Easy one: a 1970 compilation on which Elvis was still in shape.
