For all the family festivity and Christmas cheer we tend to absorb this time of year, the holiday season is actually a very sexy time of year as well. Sure, we might first notice the twinkling lights and decorations in windows, the wonderful smells that tend to waft out of kitchens, and, if we’re lucky, the beautiful snow on the ground outside. But beneath the beauties and comforts of the holiday season, there are endless opportunities for romance and sex appeal that rarely go unnoticed for those who are looking.

So, just as a celebration of the sexy part of the Christmas season, here’s a brief look at some of the sexiest holiday traditions in food, drink, gift-giving, and even film and music. Enjoy!

Sexiest Holiday Foods

Truth be told, just about every holiday meal has a certain sexiness to it – rich flavors, vibrant colors, etc. tend to do the trick! But if you’re looking for a particularly sexy holiday feast, there are a few routes you can take. Oysters are part of the holiday tradition for many families, and if you subscribe to the idea that they’re aphrodisiacs, they certainly qualify! Additionally, certain desserts – raspberry tarts, flourless chocolate cakes with raspberry drizzle, etc. – are a bit sexier than the average pecan pie!

Sexiest Holiday Drinks

Of course champagne and fine wine will always top the list, but the holidays inspire some sexy cocktail ideas as well. Cosmopolitan has a great rundown of holiday cocktails, and we can’t imagine it gets a lot sexier than the “Peppermint Kiss” featured there.

Sexiest Holiday Gifts

If you’ve ever spent the holidays with a significant other, you certainly know the value of a sexy Christmas gift. It’s romantic, exciting, often playful, and perhaps most importantly, it sets a mood! Lingerie is a popular option here, and actually a fairly simple one for men looking for great holiday gifts, but if you want to get a bit more adventurous Adam & Eve is a great place to start exploring as well. Lingerie is available, but a wide variety of sex toys, games, and couples’ accessories can inspire some wicked holiday gifts.

Sexiest Holiday Movies

Really, this depends on what you consider sexy. Love Actually is a popular pick these days, though it’s a bit more on the light, fluffy romance side; The Holiday certainly has its moments if you enjoy watching Cameron Diaz dance (you probably do); but as for new films, there was something irresistibly sexy about this season’s The Best Man Holiday.

Sexiest Holiday Music

This is actually a shockingly extensive category, giving you plenty of options for music to throw on during a late night, romantic evening by the fire. “Merry Christmas Baby” by Christina Aguilera will always be a nice selection, as will Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” And, if you’re going for an old school twist, Dean Martin’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is always fun to throw on!