Mariah Carey's Christmas Time

Critics felt the concert's Christmas theme came across effectively. In The Arizona Republic, Ed Masley viewed it as "sweet and old-fashioned and corny as hell in a way that was utterly entertaining, hitting all the notes you'd want this sort of Christmas show to hit".^[1] Houston Chronicle critic Joey Guerra called the concert "a joy — equal parts Nutcracker fantasia, holiday pageant and TV variety show".^[2] Referring to the presence of "reindeer, sleighbells, carolers, and even Santa Claus", DeVaughan Douglas described it as "a full Christmas production" in the Houston Press.^[3] For The Desert Sun's Brian Blueskye, the show "brought out the traditional feels celebrating all the usual themes of family, giving and Christmastime love".^[4] MusicRow's Sherod Robertson remarked that Carey's inclusion of her children "added a personal touch to the concert, emphasizing the themes of love and togetherness central to the holiday season".^[5] Mars Salazar of the Austin American-Statesman and Desiree Gutierrez of the Dallas Observer said Carey evoked Christmas sentiments despite performing in November.^[6][7]

Carey's vocals received praise. Jasmine Osby of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said she "delivered, showcasing her powerhouse singing and mind-blowing vocal range from beginning to end".^[8] Blueskye agreed: her voice was "stunning and powerful from start to finish".^[4] The Tennessean's Melonee Hurt thought Carey "showed the crowd she still possesses the five-octave vocal range that made her famous".^[9] Guerra said "she pulled it all out of the bag: whistle notes, belts, falsetto."^[2] In USA Today, Melissa Ruggieri felt Carey "still lands those signature dog-whistle notes quite impressively".^[10] Salazar thought her "powerhouse vocals were the highlight, with vibrato so effortless that it almost looked like she was lip syncing."^[6] According to Rodney Ho of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Carey's "voice remained supple and smooth."^[11] Writing in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Stefan Stevenson suggested her "vaunted vocals, while still smooth and powerful, seemed muted at times, as if she was struggling with a throat issue of some kind."^[12]