Christmas Past

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This time, I present a special "best of" sampler from Todd Killian's podcast, Christmas Clatter. 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...

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This time, I read you a forgotten Christmas short story, "The Christmas Present" from 1922. 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 voic...

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This time, I read you the classic Christmas story, "The Gift of the Magi."  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 a...

We're in the Ber Months now, so get ready for some bonus episodes as we ease our way into the 2019 Christmas season! In this episode, author Kyle Bullock shares an extended preview of the audio version of his new Christmas story, Mister Christmas .  Take a listen to the first two chapters of Mister Christmas. And then, if you want to hear the rest, Kyle has extended a special offer to Christm...

We're in the Ber Months now, so get ready for some bonus episodes as we ease our way into the 2019 Christmas season!  Announcements in this episode I am appearing at Christmas Con on Nov 9! I am appearing at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair on Nov 24! The coming season of Christmas Past includes a special 6-part series...details to come About this bonus episode Joanna Wilson is an author, blo...

It's June 25, and that means we're exactly halfway to Christmas! The occasion has come to be known as Leon Day, but nobody's really sure how that all got started. But one thing's for sure: many crafters recognize it as the day to get started on their Christmas crafting. In this episode, I get some insight from Holly, a crafter from Missouri. We also hear from Mary in Ireland, w...

In a few short days, Christmas of 2018 will belong to Christmas Past. So in this final episode of the 2018 Christmas season, Brian looks back at some of the news and trends that defined this year's Christmas. There's also a little year-end wrap up for the show and the world of Christmas podcasts in general.  Thank you all for being part of the 2018 season of Christmas Past! Everyone who...

It's my favorite episode of the Christmas season: the one dedicated to you sharing your favorite Christmas memories and traditions. Thank you to everyone to shared a part of their Christmas with us in this episode!    Music in this episode "Night Light" - Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive   Visit http://christmaspast.media  for more Christmas fun! Connect with Me Links to al...

In this bonus episode, Brian answers questions from the listener mailbag, and we also here a a few Christmas memories.    Music in this episode "Relaxing Piano Music" - Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas...

In 1955, a misplaced phone call unwittingly created an annual Christmas tradition. It's a story shrouded in a bit of mystery, a lot of Christmas spirit, and a sworn duty to ensure Santa’s safe passage through open airspace. Find out why NORAD tracks Santa on Christmas Eve.    Music in this episode "Escape"— Chris Holmes, via Free Music Archive "A Little Powder"— Blue Dot S...

Shortly after Thanksgiving, certain cable news and talk radio pundits remind you that it’s that it’s time once again to be outraged. Because sinister forces are working to take Christmas away from you. Is there really a war on Christmas? Listen to this episode and then judge for yourself.  Music in this episode "Undercover Vampire Policeman"— Chris Zabriskie, via Free Music Archive &quot...

Usually on Christmas Past, I share your Christmas memories. But this episode is dedicated to me sharing one of mine. It’s a memory you have too, in some form, because it’s inevitable for everyone who grows up celebrating Christmas and believing in Santa Claus. It should go without saying that this episode is for the grownups only!   Music in this episode "Relaxing Piano Music" — Kevin Ma...

Twelve days of Christmas? What's up with that? And who ever thought turtle doves and partridges make good Christmas gifts? (Come to think of it, just what the heck is a turtle dove?) We'll get to the bottom of it all with the help of language professor Mark Sundaram. Music in this episode "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" — Doug Hammer, via Feels Like Christmas "Wish Backgroun...

Welcome to Tinsel Town is a new Christmas adventure podcast that arrived on Thanksgiving Day. Join me as I talk to Jenna Knorr and Adam Ganong to discuss the making of a new audio drama. And then check out their show wherever you get podcasts, or https://trianglecontent.com/podcasts/welcometotinseltown/ Music in this Episode "Night Light" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive Rate...

Few things are more Christmassy than the flickering glow of a log on the fire. Even when that fire is experienced on a TV or device screen, it still conjures up a cozy and festive atmosphere. A New York city TV station introduced the  televised Yule Log in 1966. What began as a quirky experiment would eventually take on a life of its own! Music in this Episode "Let There be Joy" — Cathy...

Miracle on 34th Street doesn't fit today's standards for what makes a movie Christmassy. It involved a cynical child and a Santa Claus who gets locked up in a mental health institution before undergoing a public psych hearing. Not only that, but the movie was released in June of 1947. And yet, it has gone on to become not only a beloved movie, but also a cherished tradition. How did that...

It's the Christmas cake we love to hate. But why? How did a cake steeped in history and tradition, tied closely to the Christmas celebration (and often soaked in booze, no less) go on to become so widely mocked?  Music in this Episode: Night Day: Dan Yan Key Blue Highway: Poddington Bear Dowl: Poddington Bear Wish Background: Kevin MacLeod  Rate Christmas Past on Apple Podcasts, and I'll...

Christmas wouldn't be the same without the influence of Charles Dickens and his most famous work: A Christmas Carol. Some have even gone as far as saying he basically "invented" Christmas as we know it today. So...did he? In this episode, I get answers from the man himself! Music in this Episode: Traditional tune played by band at Dickens Fair Snowfall: Shady Dave Wish Background: K...

Have you ever wondered why we say "merry Christmas" and not "happy Christmas"? And why the word "merry" seems to exist nowadays only to be used for spreading holiday cheer? We'll get it sorted out with the help of linguist Arika Okrent.  Music in this Episode: Gaena: Blue Dot Sessions March: Kai Engel Delicant: Podington Bear Suppose it Is: Podington Bear Wish Ba...

We're kicking off the 2018 season with a Thanksgiving family gathering of Christmas podcasters. Join members of the Christmas Podcast Network as we share our thoughts about one of our favorite topics: Christmas music! Thanks to these great podcasts for lending their voices:  Tinsel Tunes Can't Wait for Christmas Christmas Creeps Weird Christmas Tis the Podcast Advent Calendar House And a...

It's the basis for summer sales, Hallmark movie marathons, and memes and hashtags strewn across social media. But what exactly is Christmas in July? And where did it come from?  Music from this episode "Turning" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Tessalit" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Heliotrope" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archi...

The this final episode of the season, we take a look back at Christmas of 2017 and do a year-end wrap up for the show. Music from this episode “ Deck the Halls A ” — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech Be sure to follow Christmas Past on social media. I'm posting fun extra Christmassy content on  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  Instagram . I also sometimes post things to  Pinterest . You can send me me...

By popular request, this episode is dedicated solely to your Christmas memories! Thank you to this episode's contributors Claudia, in Italy Ana and Hector, in Mexico Jake, in Australia Anne, in California Jessie, in Pennsylvania Julie, in New York Rose Marie, in Chicago Keith, in New York Andrea, in Washington (host of the baking podcast, Preheated) Gabe, in Michigan (host of the gaming podca...

  In 1983, moviegoers were introduced to little Ralphie Parker. And even though A Christmas Story looms large today with 24-hour marathons, sequels, and merchandise, but it was a slow climb to the top. Fun Links A Christmas Story House : Web site for the house / museum from the movie Triple Dog Dare : Book by Joanna Wilson (who appears in episode 16 this season), recounting her experience watching...

We've drunk some form of eggnog since medieval times. But it didn't become a Christmas beverage until it reached America. Fun Links Tis the Podcast : Check out the gang from Tis the Podcast. They share their favorite Christmas movie memories in this episode Jeffrey Morganthaler : Author and craft bartender Jeffrey Morganthaler shares his signature eggnog recipes The Bar Book : Jeffrey&ap...