It's Christmas Eve Eve Eve! The big day is almost here. Friends and loved ones are starting to gather and prepare, ready to add a new chapter to their Christmas story, and to reminisce about Christmasses past. And today, so are we…as the Christmas Past family. It’s another episode all about you. About sharing your stories and memories, your traditions and love of our favorite holiday! Marv from the UK shares a memory in this episode. Check out his podcast, Pods Like Us . Thanks to him and everyo...
Dec 22, 2021•21 min
Christmas is often abbreviate as Xmas, but why? Why does X make a suitable abbreviation, and why does Christmas need abbreviating at all? To find the answers, we'll have to go back to the earliest days of Christianity, and and explore the world of symbology and word origins. Thank you to Mignon Fogarty, from Grammar Girl for joining me in this episode! Music in this episode " Golden Hour " — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive "Prelude No. 11" — Chris Zabrieski, via Free Music Archive " Silen...
Dec 21, 2021•10 min
Welcome back for the second consecutive day of Christmas trivia! It's the conclusion of our special double header. Join us today when Rachel plays quizmaster to Brian in a game of "Sheperdy." We're in the final countdown to Christmas of 2021, but rest assured: there's much more Christmas cheer on tap between now and the big day! Music in this episode " Turning " — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive Share a Christmas memory on the podcast! Just record a voice memo into your phone and send ...
Dec 19, 2021•21 min
In a first here on Christmas Past, we're doing a double header of Christmas trivia. Join me today and tomorrow for back-to-back episodes where you put your Christmas spirit to the test. Today, the name of the game is "Two Truths and a Lie," where your deception detection skills are just as important as your knowledge of Christmas history. All questions in today's game are related to the 1970s. Tomorrow, come back for Sheperdy, a Jeopardy inspired Christmas trivia game. Today and tomorrow, I'll b...
Dec 18, 2021•37 min
Victorian carolers wouldn't go until they got some. But many Americans wouldn't know one if they saw one. The figgy pudding (or plum pudding or Christmas pudding) has been with us for many centuries, and in many forms. How did a Medieval savory soup become a fruity, boozy and exclusively Christmassy dessert? Glen Warren from the Seasons Eatings podcast joins Brian in this episode. Mentioned in this episode Seasons Eatings: Podcast Instagram The Village Carolers: Website YouTube channel Instagram...
Dec 16, 2021•12 min
When this episode arrives, there will be only 10 days remaining until Christmas of 2021. It's a good point in the season to take a breather and snuggle up with a story from the world of classic Christmas fiction. Today, I'm reading The Christmas Fairy, an 1878 story by John Strange Winter. It’s a story for the whole family, about a schoolboy whose plans for Christmas take an unexpected turn. Music in this episode " Relaxing Piano Music " — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech " Holiday is Coming " — L...
Dec 15, 2021•14 min
Christmas and charity are as natural a pairing as you might imagine. But the long history of charity at Christmas time has a few things worth exploring. For example, who has historically done the charitable giving, and why. And how the Victorians generally, and Charles Dickens specifically, laid the foundation for the modern form of Christmas charity that we know today. Thank you to Martin Johns, professor of history at Swansea University in Wales, and author of Christmas and the British: A Mode...
Dec 13, 2021•13 min
In 1945, when songwriter Bob Wells first penned the line "chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." chestnuts were as much a part of the Christmas season as eggnog and gingerbread. And then, just a few years after Nat King Cole recorded his iconic version of that song...they weren't. What happened? It's one of the few examples from recent history of a Christmas tradition dying out — literally — in a single generation. Is it lost forever? Or are we poised for a roasty toasty Christmas comeback story...
Dec 11, 2021•12 min
It's our first family gathering of the season...the kind dedicated to members of the Christmas Past family and their Christmas memories. Pour the hot chocolate and snuggle up by the tree! It's time for a trip down memory lane. Music in this episode "Just Stay" — Aakash Gandhi, via Youtube Audio Library "Frozen in Love" — Aakash Gandhi, via Youtube Audio Library "Waterfall" — Aakash Gandhi, via Youtube Audio Library "Arms of Heaven" — Aakash Gandhi, via Youtube Audio Library "Falling Snow" — Aaka...
Dec 09, 2021•16 min
In 1937, radio audiences were introduced to The Cinnamon Bear, a magical twenty-six-part Christmas miniseries. Twins Judy and Jimmy search through the enchanted world of Maybeland for their lost Christmas ornament with the help of a talking bear. The series delighted audiences for many seasons before falling out of the mainstream. But a new audience is discovering the program in the Internet age. Thank you to Jack French from the Metropolitan Washington Old Time Radio Club for appearing on this ...
Dec 07, 2021•12 min
Today is an episode for the whole family! A Christmas story about two elves who decide to bring their special month-long celebration to humans. I'll narrate Festive of the Elves, a 2020 book, as told by Holly Figgyworth. After the reading, I speak with Angeli Elliott about the origins of the story, and how families can bring a little elfin magic to their own Christmas! Visit www.festivaloftheelves.com to find out more about the book, and to register for Elf Notes. And find Festival of the Elves ...
Dec 05, 2021•15 min
Christmas and sweaters naturally go together. But how did the idea of a festive holiday sweater become the multimillion dollar industry of recent decades? Is the gawdy, ironic, edgy humored Christmas sweater a passing fad, or are we at the start of something enduring? Today on Christmas Past: The "ugly" Christmas sweater! Thank you to Evan Mendelsohn from Tipsy Elves for joining me. And thanks to my mom, making her third appearance here on Christmas Past! Music in this episode " Wish Background ...
Dec 04, 2021•11 min
All the different landscapes and climates and cultures in America make for a seemingly endless number of settings for celebrating our favorite holiday. And one kind of setting in particular has earned a special place in American Christmas culture and lore: the small town. That homey, local Christmas spirit is the topic of Small Town Christmas , the new series on UPtv. Series creator and host Megan Alexander joins Brian to discuss. Plus, Brian shares a small town Christmas memory of his own! Musi...
Dec 02, 2021•11 min
A Charlie Brown Christmas became one of the most successful Christmas television specials ever. But the odds were stacked against it in 1965. Written and produced under a crazy deadline, the network executives were sure it would flop like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. But of course, things turned out differently. This episode includes an interview with Benjamin Clark, curator of the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, CA. Music in this episode " Nouvelle Noel " — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompe...
Dec 01, 2021•12 min
What happens when a Christmas tree from a secret admirer comes between a young woman and her fiance in New York in 1902? That's the subject of the new Christmas audio drama from Sagacity Productions: "Christmas on Henry Street." This one-hour program, based on real events, will air on several NPR affiliate stations in December. Christmas Past is pleased to share it with you in this special full-length presentation. For more information about "Christmas on Henry Street" https://www.sagacitytv.com...
Nov 29, 2021•1 hr 2 min
The song now known as "Jingle Bells" is synonymous with Christmas, even though it never mentions Christmas by name. There's much more to the story of this beloved song than you ever could have imagined. Tracing its history will take us through Boston minstrel halls, "sleigh ride culture," and a feud between two American towns that each claim to be the song's birthplace. This episode features Kyna Hamill from Boston University and the Medford Historical Society. Music in this episode " Jingle Bel...
Nov 28, 2021•11 min
There's nothing like curling up with an old fashioned ghost story on a chilly evening during the Christmas season. This one's more ghostly than Christmassy, but it first appeared in a Christmas supplement to the Illustrated London Times. It's The Doll's Ghost, by F. Marion Crawford. And today, I'm reading it to you from the 2021 collection of Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories from from Biblioasis. Music in this episode " Sal's Piano Solo " — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive " Planet Earth ...
Nov 26, 2021•29 min
Get ready for small town Christmases and hometown hunks! Today, we're looking at made-for-TV Christmas romances, and exploring how and why they've become the dominant form of Christmas entertainment in recent decades. Brandon Gray and Alonso Duralde, co-authors of I'll Be Home for Christmas Movies, help us make sense of it all. Mentioned in this episode I'll be Home for Christmas Movies: Amazon , Barnes and Noble Music in this episode " Hardwood Lullaby " — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Arch...
Nov 25, 2021•14 min
Now that Halloween is behind us, it's officially Christmastime! Time for a mug of cocoa, some foofy jammies, and the Hallmark Channel. Today, Brandon Gray, co-host of Deck the Hallmark, recalls some of the best, worst, and most romantic ones reviewed in his new book, I'll Be Home For Christmas Movies. Get the book on Amazon Music in this episode: " This is Christmas " — Scott Holmes, via Free Music Archive Be sure to check out the " Definitive Directory of Christmas Podcasts " Share a Christmas ...
Nov 04, 2021•9 min
Happy Halloween, everybody! Christmas and Halloween go together perfectly because they have something very special in common: a tradition of telling ghost stories. Today, I'm pleased to introduce you to an all new Christmas ghost story audio drama series, The Midnight Carols. Follow along as a group of Oxford students tell ghost stories on Christmas Eve to gain entry into the mysterious secret society, the Venerable Order of Saint Nicholas of Myra. The Midnight Carols is available on all major p...
Oct 31, 2021•24 min
Just in time for Halloween, it's another Christmas ghost story — sorta. This story does involve Christmas, and it does involve a ghost, but it's unlike anything you've ever heard before here on Christmas Past. This is a 2017 episode from my other — now-defunct — podcast, Illusion. I thought you might like it. Stay subscribed all season long, and stay connected! christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Facebook page Facebook group Twitter Instagram Send your Christmas memories to appear in an episode this ...
Oct 25, 2021•20 min
It's almost Halloween, so how about a ghost story? Well, this one won't exactly send a shiver down your spine, but maybe it'll get you into the spirit...or at least pass the time on a cool autumn evening. It's the 1893 story, the Wicked Editor's Christmas Dream. Music in this episode "Angel's Dream" — Aakash Ghandi, via YouTube Audio Library Connect Facebook page Facebook group Instagram Bluesky Twitter / X Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Website Book Christmas Past: The Fascinating Storie...
Oct 19, 2021•11 min
Now that it's October, a lot of us are listening to Christmas music to ease our way into the season. Sure, the classics are great, but sometimes you need to hear something new to keep things fresh. In today's episode, you'll hear five new-to-you Christmas songs from some great independent artists! Songs featured in this episode Chrissy Blazier Soundcloud Dotcom Davinci Bandcamp The Yule Lads Instagram Youtube Montgomery Instagram Bandcamp GRAZE Bandcamp Facebook Other music in this episode "The ...
Oct 10, 2021•24 min
The Christmas stories of 19th century America provide a window into American history itself. These stories reflect the values and politics of pre- and post-Civil-War America, in addition to chronicling the makings of our modern Christmas celebration. That's the topic of the new book, Christmas Past: An Anthology of Seasonal Stories from Nineteenth-Century America . The author, professor Thomas Ruys Smith from the University of East Anglia, joins me in this episode for a Christmassy literary tour...
Sep 29, 2021•12 min
Today, we're returning to an old crowd favorite: the game where you have to spot the lie! Test your Christmas spirit, deception detection, and knowledge of the 80s with this all new Ber Months bonus episode. Join me, along with Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter and Gerry Davilla from Totally Rad Christmas for a game of two truths and a lie. This game has a special twist. Its a three-round game, taking place on three different podcasts! On Christmas Past, you'll hear round one, where yours trul...
Sep 20, 2021•30 min
Brian reads the 1896 short story, The Burglar's Christmas, by Willa Cather. Welcome to another Ber Months bonus episode, sugarplums! I love these classic Christmas stories to help me get into the spirit. Today's story is bit of a 'prodigal son' story that takes place on Christmas Eve. tay subscribed for more fun and surprises throughout September and October, and beyond. It's never too early to send a Christmas memory to appear on the show this year. The earlier the better, actually! Record a vo...
Sep 10, 2021•27 min
It's one of the strangest cases from the pages of American Military history. A Christmas party in 1826 at the United States Military Academy at Westpoint that spun out of control, and would be known forevermore as the Eggnog Riot. Welcome to the Ber Months, everyone! Christmas Past is back to bring some Christmas cheer to the early fall, as we ramp up to the official Christmas season. Stay subscribed for more fun and surprises throughout September and October, and beyond. It's never too early to...
Sep 01, 2021•12 min
In 1900, an ornithologist suggested replacing the traditional Christmas morning hunt with a "bird census." It's an idea that has been carried out each year since then. The Christmas Bird Count is an important project that contributes to our understanding of bird populations. And you can get involved! Links Join the Christmas Bird Count page Music in this Episode Cottonwoods — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive Labranche — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive Cast and Favor — Blue Dot...
Mar 02, 2021•10 min
Christmas trees are for decorating, admiring, and placing decoratively wrapped gifts underneath. But how about...for eating? Baker and designer Julia Georgalis joins me in this episode to discuss her new book, How to Eat Your Christmas Tree. It's the result of a five-year culinary experiment centered around sustainability at Christmas time. Mentioned in this episode Julia Georgallis on Instagram The book: How to Eat Your Christmas Tree Julia's Web site The Edible Archive Music in this episode Ji...
Jan 25, 2021•11 min
Merry Christmas! The big day is here, and that means it's time for Christmas Past's annual "Christmas in Review" episode. We'll take a look back at Christmas of 2020 to review the trends and headlines that made this Christmas uniquely its own. After all, starting tomorrow, Christmas of 2020 belongs to Christmas past. Does anything from this year have the makings of a lasting tradition? Only time will tell. Wishing you and your loved ones all the warmth and magic of the season. Merry Christmas, a...
Dec 25, 2020•8 min
