The Ringer writer, Rob Harvilla, stated that "December belongs to Mariah Carey". He went on to say that "the very first time you the song, it sounds classic [...] timeless, like it was playing in the manger when Jesus Christ was born." Critics also noted the song a tad reminiscent of the works of Judy Garland and Nat King Cole, while also describing it as hearkening back to "'60s and '70s Motown covers of prewar Christmas classics, such as The Jackson 5's Stevie Wonder".