Christmas Past

Yes, it's the most famous newspaper editorial of all. It's also the untold story of two skeptics addressing disillusionment, and the iconic statement on the magic of childhood, and belief, and Christmas that resulted. Links The Marvelous and the Mundane Anthony Barthel Jack Billings Presents: Me and my Neighbor, Michael The Newseum Music in this episode " Fig Leaf Rag " — Kevin...

We've treated mistletoe specially for thousands of  years. But how did it go from being an ancient medicine and superstitious talisman to a festive—and smoochy —Christmas custom? Links Kiss Me Mistletoe Farm Music in this episode " Nostalgic Resonance " — Scott Holmes, via Free Music Archive " The Little Drummer Boy " — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist " Carele...

We're back for the fourth and final part of this special four part miniseries. Rikki Meece from the Sleigh Bells & Mistletoe Christmas Podcast narrates the classic story, When the Yule Log Burns, by Leona Dalrymple. Episodes arrive on four consecutive days starting December 12.  Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmai...

We're back for part three of this special four part miniseries. Rikki Meece from the Sleigh Bells & Mistletoe Christmas Podcast narrates the classic story, When the Yule Log Burns, by Leona Dalrymple. Episodes arrive on four consecutive days starting December 12.  Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of...

We're back for part two of this special four part miniseries. Rikki Meece from the Sleigh Bells & Mistletoe Christmas Podcast narrates the classic story, When the Yule Log Burns, by Leona Dalrymple. Episodes arrive on four consecutive days starting December 12.  Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Ch...

In this special bonus miniseries, Rikki Meece from the Sleigh Bells & Mistletoe Christmas Podcast narrates the classic story, When the Yule Log Burns, by Leona Dalrymple. This is a four-part miniseries, with episodes arriving on four consecutive days starting December 12.  Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books...

It's the best known Christmas song in the world, but the story behind it less well known. Maybe that's because so many myths, legends, and half truths have been added to the origin story over the years. With the help of Wayne Bronner of Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, we'll go back to 1818 for the birth of an accidental Christmas hymn and its unlikely ascent to history's m...

We’re taking a trip back to the 80s. It was a time when it was not only possible, but likely, that any popular toy would have its own line of spinoff merchandise, a breakfast cereal, and a Saturday morning cartoon. And if it was popular enough…it got a Christmas special. 1985 gave us The Glo Friends Save Christmas. A half-hour special in which the Glo Friends must save Santa Claus from the clutche...

The traditional Christmas dinner of a turkey, potatoes, green beans, and fruit pie has been around for nearly two hundred years. But why? The story of how we got here is one of ancient winter feasting, agricultural societies, socio-economics, religion, a pig that’s technically a fish, and turkeys on stagecoaches. In this episode, Brian and historian Judith Flanders explore why the standard Christm...

Here on Christmas Past, I dig in to the backstories behind Christmas traditions. But what happens when you can’t even verify that the thing you’re researching even is a tradition? That’s what happened when I started looking into the Christmas Pickle. You’ve probably seen pickle tree ornaments, or maybe seen posts about them in your social media feeds. The story goes that it’s an old German traditi...

Nowadays our Christmas stories are mainly warm and cozy. They’re about reunions and homecomings. Romances and magical journeys and visits from St. Nicholas. But not so very long ago, and especially for the Victorians, Christmas stories could also send chills down your spine and make you think twice about things that go bump in the night.  In this episode, professor Tara Moore tells Brian about thi...

Barbara Hinske is an attorney turned full-time novelist. Her 2016 novella, The Christmas Club is the basis for the 2019 Hallmark Channel movie of the same name. In this Ber Months Bonus episode, Brian and Barbara discuss writing, Christmas stories, Hallmark movies, and much more. Music in this episode " Deck the Halls A " — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech Announcements There’s still time...

It's Christmas Past's first live show! Join Tim Babb from Can't Wait for Christmas and Brian Earl for an hour of games, music, and conversation, recorded outside the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco. This is the first time the Dickens Fair has hosted a live podcast recording.  About the fair The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a one-of-a-kind holiday adventure into Vict...

At the turn of the 20th century, the idea of kids writing letters to Santa Claus was still new. Post offices, newspapers, and charities publicly disputed how to handle the letters. It was a logistical and public relations problem, which would take a clever plan to address. Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of...

John Gluck was a workaday customs broker who dreamed of bigger things. So when he heard that the Postal Service needed help with letters to Santa, he came forward with a plan to get the letters into the hands of donors. With a little help from a troop of boy scouts, John Gluck and his Santa Claus Association did the (seemingly) impossible. Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmasp...

What happens when a charitable endeavor starts looking more and more like an elaborate con? As Gluck sought to expand operations, he started playing fast and loose with the facts in order to raise money and hobnob with the rich and powerful. Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surp...

During the Great War, fraudulent wartime charities abounded in New York City. When the district attorney started a sweeping investigation, John Gluck found himself in his crosshairs. But that was just the beginning of his troubles. Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Tra...

You'd think that Gluck couldn't make things worse for himself...but you'd be wrong. He finds himself the subject of more investigations, and gets himself into hot water with the state Attorney General. But this isn't the end of the Santa Claus Association. But...that is coming. Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpo...

In the early 20s, John Gluck wanted to reinvigorate the Santa Claus Association to its original glory, with the help of some high profile endorsements. But along the way, he crossed the one man who figures out the stunningly simple way to shut down Gluck once and for all. Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of C...

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode. Your favorite Christmas radio station may have you thinking that there are only about two dozen Christmas songs (mostly from the 1940s and 50s) worth listening to. Nonsense! In this episode, I share some new music worthy of your next Christmas playlist.  Announcements There's still time to get tickets for Christmas Land in Los Angeles on De...

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode. This week, I read the classic short story by Hans Christian Andersen: The Little Match Girl.  Announcements Brian and Tim Babb from Can't Wait for Christmas will record a live episode on November 24 at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco There's still time to get tickets for Christmas Land in Los Angeles on December 15 A...

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This week, I'm taking you inside Christmas Con 2019.    Announcements If you leave a review I’ll send you a Christmas card containing a Christmas Past sticker. Write me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com for details.  Send your Christmas memory for the 2019 season. Record yourself on your phone’s voice recorder app and send it to the email a...

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This time, I read you the short story "Keep it all the Year" by Sarah Tipper. You can find her short story collection, Tales to take you to Christmas , on Amazon.  Announcements If you leave a review I’ll send you a Christmas card containing a Christmas Past sticker. Write me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com for details.  Send your Ch...

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This time, I have the honor of sharing an audio piece by Chantelle from All Things Christmas. Learn all about Christmas in Japan! And then, check out Chantelle's blog and YouTube channel .  Announcements If you leave a review I’ll send you a Christmas card containing a Christmas Past sticker. Write me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com for d...

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This time, I read the 1921 short story, "A Christmas Adventure," by J. E. Chamberlin. Hope you enjoy! Announcements If you leave a review I’ll send you a Christmas card containing a Christmas Past sticker. Write me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com for details.  Send your Christmas memory for the 2019 season. Record yourself on your ph...