On November 4, 2010, King's daughter, Louise Goffin, revealed on Myspace that she was working with Carole King on her first ever holiday album, stating "I am currently busy in the studio producing the new Carole King Holiday Record, set to release in 2011.
On July 27, 2011, Billboard posted an article on the home page of its official website, stating various information about the record, including the first official announcement of the title of the album.