# A Christmas Treasure

A Christmas Treasure is the sixth studio album and first Christmas album by Englishn singer Julie Andrews. It was released in 1967 by RCA Victor and features the participation of André Previn's orchestra. The album was recorded in the summer of 1966 and initially released in the same year by Firestone as Your Favorite Christmas Carols, Volume 5. The track listing was shortened by two songs, "The Lamb of God" and "Greensleeves", resulting in a total of 12 tracks.
The album was one of the seven new Christmas albums released by RCA Victor that year, as part of a major Christmas advertising campaign by the label, which included newspaper ads, promotional materials for stores, and prominent placement at points of sale.

## Commercial performance

The album was expected to be a major success, as Andrews had recently achieved great acclaim with both the soundtrack and the film The Sound of Music, released in 1965. On November 18, 1967, Cashbox magazine featured the album in its review section, highlighting its strong selection of musical tracks and predicting its presence on the charts. The album performed well on Billboard's charts. However, since it was a Christmas release, it was not eligible to appear on the Billboard 200 and was instead featured on the Christmas LP's chart, peaking at #9.
On July 8, 1967, Cashbox magazine published a list of the best-selling albums in Australia over the past 12 months. A Christmas Treasure was featured among RCA's top-selling albums during that period.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Billboard | Favorable |
| Record World | Favorable |
The critic William Ruhlmann from AllMusic website rated the album four out of five stars and describes it as Julie Andrews' first musical project since The Sound of Music and her first non-soundtrack album in four years. He noted the album features traditional and lesser-known Christmas hymns, some with unfamiliar arrangements, such as "Angels from the Realms of Glory". According to him, André Previn's contributions, including unique instrumental versions of classics like "O Little Town of Bethlehem", add a cinematic flair. While praising Andrews' warm yet proper vocals, Ruhlmann characterizes the album as appealing but somewhat formal in its approach to holiday music.
The Billboard review was favorable. The critic praised Andrews' voice, describing it as "sweet and joyful," perfectly suited to the holiday spirit. Additionally, the review highlighted André Previn's arrangements and orchestral accompaniment, noting that they seamlessly complemented the festive mood. The review ultimately concluded that the album is truly a "Christmas treasure," reinforcing its positive assessment.
The same opinion was shared by the critic from Record World. Describing Julie Andrews as singing "like the angel on the highest bough," the review praised her rendition of both familiar and lesser-known carols. It also highlighted André Previn’s arrangements, which were crafted into a "gorgeous Christmas cantata." The critic concluded by calling the album a "stunning, beautiful Christmas gift," reinforcing its highly positive reception.

## Charts

Weekly chart performance for A Christmas Treasure :
| Chart (1967) | Peak position |
| US Top Holiday Albums (Billboard) | 9 |