I wasn’t kidding around when I said that Tracey Thorn has a voice like winter.

Thorn has recorded a cover of Sufjan Stevens’ “Sister Winter,” gifting it as part of what the singer is calling her (virtual) Christmas Stocking, a gesture of thanks to everyone who has been so “kind and supportive to me in the past few months,” particularly following her mother’s death. The free download package, which Thorn promises will “warm your winter fireside,” includes the song, an at-home video of Thorn performing “Singles Bar” from her current album, Love And Its Opposite, plus a candid snap taken by her partner, Ben Watt.

Recorded in Berlin with producer Ewan Pearson, Thorn’s take on “Sister Winter” is lovely and atmospheric. Stevens’ song may be about looking beyond one’s broken heart during the holidays, but unless you’re dead inside and absolutely detest Christmas, you won’t be able to resist a tide of warm feelings washing over you when Thorn sings: “All my friends, I’ve returned to wish you all the best / And my friends, I’ve returned to wish you a happy Christmas.”

The mark of a great cover is the interpreter’s emotional investment in the lyrics, and Thorn sings “Sister Winter” from quite personal, recent experience. She delivers the goods just in the nick of time, no chimney necessary:

If, like me, you wish Thorn would stick around all year, every year, following the “singer, gardener, bedsit disco queen” on Twitter (@tracey_thorn) is an excellent start. Her feed is always entertaining, even when chatting about the most mundane details of life. And be sure to follow Thorn’s partner Ben Watt too (@buzzin_fly). The couple’s occasional banter back and forth via Twitter is priceless, as are Thorn’s exchanges with Helen Terry (@telenherry), former backup singer with Culture Club.

Free download of Tracey Thorn’s Christmas Stocking via Strange Feeling Records.

You can also snag free download of Sufjan Stevens’ original “Sister Winter” (plus another of his Christmas tunes, “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!”) via Asthmatic Kitty.