LeAnn Rimes plotting Christmas album and festive tour

Country star Leann Rimes is embracing the Christmas spirit early by unveiling plans for a new holiday album trilogy.

The Blue singer reveals she will release One Christmas later this year (14) and follow it up with two more instalments in 2015 and 2016.

The first festive project will feature her renditions of Silent Night and White Christmas, among other traditional songs, and will be promoted with an accompanying tour.

Rimes announced the live dates in a bizarre YouTube.com video clip, which features the singer on a beach in a bikini, surrounded by three elves who attempt to cover her up.

In a press release, she writes, "I love everything about the holidays and want to share the magic and joy of the season with my fans. I look forward to playing some of my favorite Christmas classics for music lovers in an intimate, cozy setting."

The One Christmas tour will kick off in Vermont on 5 December (14) and wrap up in Michigan days before the festive holiday.

The album will be Rimes' first themed project since her holiday debut What a Wonderful World in 2004.