 Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated that " any fan of Dion , or of ' 90s adult contemporary pop in general , should find this [ album ] very enjoyable . " Although according to him , " at times , the production is too slick " and " at other times Dion 's vocals are a little mannered , " overall , These Are Special Times " is very effective , because the songs are good and she 's committed to the material . " Erlewine wrote that These Are Special Times is " an especially successful holiday album since Dion wisely balances " popular carols ( " Blue Christmas , " " The Christmas Song , " " Feliz Navidad " ) with new songs ( " I 'm Your Angel , " " Don 't Save It All for Christmas " ) , hymns ( " Adeste Fideles , " " Ave Maria " ) , and Christmas songs with a distinct religious theme ( " The Prayer , " " O Holy Night " ) . " 
