Produced by Nick Martinelli, whom Ross worked with several times around the early nineties, it is a lush, soulful pop album, consisting mostly of traditional Christmas standards as well as takes on more contemporary songs by Burt Bacharach, John Lennon, and Stevie Wonder.

The set was only released for the international market where it peaked at number 37 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

[3] Ross promoted the release with performances in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and at the Rockefeller Center Tree-lighting concert special in November 2018.

Allmusic editor Jose F. Promis found that A Very Special Season "easily ranks among the diva's best of the '90s.

The songs are all lovingly produced, and Ross effectively wraps her silken pipes around each tune with utmost sincerity.