Zooey Deschanel plays 'Little Saint Nick' to get into the festive spirit.

The 33-year-old actress likes playing the Beach Boys' 1963 hit single so much that her band She & Him - also consisting of M. Ward - covered the track for their third studio album.

She told NME magazine: ''This is a '60s Christmas miracle. It has the warmth of a holiday classic, plus the charm of early Beach Boys. We included it on a 'Very She & Him Christmas' because I love it so much.''

However, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas' is a karaoke favourite for the 'New Girl' star.

She & Him tried to play it at one of their shows but it didn't quite work, but she feels the need to sing the song anyway.

Zooey explained: ''Matt [M. Ward] and I tried to do it at a She & Him show once but it just didn't quite come together so I'd have to do it at karaoke instead.

''When we're playing shows we'll sometimes throw in covers that we literally just decide an hour before the show. There's something pretty scary - but fun - about that.''