Christmas Past

For something so closely tied to Christmas — whose very image and flavor is practically synonymous with the season —  it may be surprising to realize that origins of candy canes are something of a sweet mystery. Thanks to Kirk Vashaw, CEO of Spangler Candy Company , for appearing in this episode. Be sure to check out the " Definitive Directory of Christmas Podcasts " Share a Christmas me...

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Well here we are at the beginning of another Christmas season together. This is Christmas season number five for Christmas Past. Today we're ringing in the 2020 Christmas season with a reading of the 1922 story, The Velveteen Rabbit.  Be sure to check out the " Definitive Directory of Christmas Podcasts " Share a Christmas memory on...

We're kicking off November of 2020 with a visit from an old friend. Alex Palmer, author of  The Santa Claus Man , appeared in Christmas Past's miniseries,  My Dear Santa,: A True Crime Christmas Caper . Now he's back with a new book,  The Atlas of Christmas .   Join Alex and me for a discussion some of the fun, quirky Christmas traditions around the world that we miss out on here in...

Just in time for Halloween, it's a story about a very creepy game of hide that takes place on Christmas Eve. Happy Halloween! Christmas Past is back for another Ber Months Bonus episode, for those of us getting an early start on the Christmas season.  Share a Christmas memory on the podcast! Just record a voice memo into your phone and send it to christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com. Keep it reason...

We're almost to the end of October. The countdown to Christmas is in full swing, and I'm back again with another Ber Months Bonus episode. This time it's another forgotten work of Christmas fiction: the 1917 short story "It was the same Christmas morning," by Cyrus Townsend Brady. Be sure to check out the " Definitive Directory of Christmas Podcasts " Share a Chr...

It's mid-October and that means the countdown to the countdown to Christmas is in full swing! Christmas cards and panettones are starting to appear on the shelves. Maybe you're even starting to think about Christmas dinner. So was the protagonist of this episode's short story. I'm reading the 1895 story, published anonymously, called My Christmas Dinner. It's a comedy of m...

In today's episode, Brian reads the1917 short story titled 'The Lone Scout's Christmas,' by Cyrus Townsend Brady. It's the story of a grieving boy facing a Christmas in an unfamiliar place, when he finds himself stranded in the snow. But he uses his scouting skills to bring everything to a satisfyingly Christmassy conclusion. Be sure to check out the " Definitive Dire...

We’re back for the ninth and final installment of the 1918 YA novel, “Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains (or: A Christmas Success Against Odds).” It’s part of Christmas Past’s “Ber Months Bonus” series of episodes for those of us getting an early start on the Christmas season. Be sure to check out the " Definitive Directory of Christmas Podcasts " over at christmaspast.media Music...

We’re back for the eighth (and next-to-last) installment of the 1918 YA novel, “Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains (or: A Christmas Success Against Odds).” It’s part of Christmas Past’s “Ber Months Bonus” series of episodes for those of us getting an early start on the Christmas season. Stay subscribed for more Christmas fun throughout the Ber Months all the way up to Thanksgiving Day when...

We're back for the seventh installment of the 1918 YA novel, "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains (or: A Christmas Success Against Odds)." It's part of Christmas Past's "Ber Months Bonus" series of episodes for those of us getting an early start on the Christmas season. As the countdown to Christmas grows shorter, the danger grows higher for the girls of th...

We're back for the sixth installment of the 1918 YA novel, "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains (or: A Christmas Success Against Odds)." It's part of Christmas Past's "Ber Months Bonus" series of episodes for those of us getting an early start on the Christmas season. We're now about halfway through the story and in this installment, the action takes a...

Continuing our "Ber Months Bonus" series, we're back for the next installment of the 1918 YA novel, "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains (or: A Christmas Success Against Odds)." The plot takes a bit of a breather in this installment, as everyone reacts to the harrowing events from last time. Stay subscribed for new installments every few days over the next couple of...

Welcome to the next installment of Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains (or: A Christmas Success Against Odds). Brian is reading this 1918 YA novel to kick off the Ber Months for those of us getting an early start on the Christmas season. This time, we check in on the boy scouts as they set out on their own holiday plans, only to stumble upon a devious plot!  Music in this episode “ Relaxing...

We're continuing our Ber Months bonus series for those of us getting an early start on the Christmas season. Brian is reading the 1918 YA novel, Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains (or: A Christmas Success Against Odds). Last time we left the girls, they were on a train ride, and hostess Marion was disturbed by a mysterious letter. Let's see what happens next! Music in this episode...

Welcome back. We're continuing where we left off from the 1918 YA novel, "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains (or: A Christmas Success Against Odds). It's a fitting kickoff to the Ber Months Bonus episodes of 2020. Stay subscribed as I continue bringing a few chapters in each installment every few days until the story is complete.  Music in this episode “ Relaxing Piano Music...

For many of us, the start of the 'Ber Months' marks the beginning of the holiday season. So today, on Ber Months Eve, I'm launching a new Story Time miniseries. Because COVID will make Christmas of 2020 a Christmas against the odds, I thought it would be fitting to read the 1918 YA Novel, Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains (or: A Christmas Against Odds).  I'll read one o...

Happy Leon Day, everyone! We're at the exact halfway point to Christmas. Christmas in July is just days away, and so is the start of the 2nd Annual Christmas Past summer cookie swap . I hope you're feeling as festive as I am! Leon Day is the unofficial start of the Christmas crafting season, so I asked crafter Juliette Williams to join me to discuss the magic of a handcrafted Christmas....

I'm back with another installment of story time. Here's a great one for the whole family: "Lill's Travels in Santa Claus Land," a story from 1878. And though she isn't mentioned by name, it's one of the first times that a Mrs Santa Claus shows up in print!  Enjoy the story, and stay safe! Music in this episode “ Relaxing Piano Music ” — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompe...

Welcome to another game where you need to spot the lie! This time, I'm joined by Todd from Christmas Clatter, Carrie from Christmas Book Review, and Chris from Yuletide TV.  Oh, and after more than 100 episodes, this is the last time you'll hear me sign off from "sunny San Mateo, California." Christmas Past is moving to new headquarters, so stay subscribed to hear where. (Spoil...

It's another installment of Christmas in Quarantine! I hope you're staying safe and healthy and keeping your spirits up. Today's episode is another edition of story time. This one's on the sad side, but it is a classic story from Dostoevsky. Enjoy!  Music in this episode “ A Little Powder ” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive “ Relaxing Piano Music ” — Kevin MacLeod, vi...

It's another installment of Christmas in Quarantine! Today we're getting bookish with Carrie Mercer, host of Christmas Book Review . Join us for a literary celebration of the season, and discover some new stories to add to your reading list.  And listen for details, because Carrie is giving away a copy of Jon Clinch's new novel, Marley!  Music in this episode " Harp Lullaby &qu...

It's Christmas Past's 100th episode! Join me and some special guests for a look back at how Christmas Past came to be and where it's going. Thank you so much for being part of the Christmas Past family and coming along for the ride!  Music in this episode " Turning " — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive " Night Light " — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music A...

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 22. Today's installment is the second half of yesterday's classic Christmas story. It's Miss Mant.'s 1832 "Christmas, A Happy Time: A Tale, Calculated for the Amusement and Instruction of Young Persons." Christmas Past's 100th episode is coming soon. I'd love for you to be on it. Record a voice memo into your phone -- anything at...

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 21. Today's installment is the start of another classic Christmas story. It's Miss Mant.'s 1832 "Christmas, A Happy Time: A Tale, Calculated for the Amusement and Instruction of Young Persons." Christmas Past's 100th episode is coming soon. I'd love for you to be on it. Record a voice memo into your phone -- anything at all you'd...

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 20. Today's installment is another game of separating fact from fiction. It's two truths and a lie! Join me, along with Julia from Tis the Podcast , Duane from Tinsel Tunes , and Craig from Weird Christmas as we trade some festive fibs. Play along with us! Christmas Past's 100th episode is coming soon. I'd love for you to be on it. Record a voice me...