The first Christmas lights appeared in 1882, and would forever change the scenery at Christmas time.

Fun Links

• Can't Wait for Christmas: The podcast hosted by Tim Babb, who shared a memory in this episode
• Christmas Ornaments, Lights and Decorations: Book by George Johnson, the expert guest in this episode

Music from this episode

• “Relinquish” — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive
• “Swing Lo” — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive
• “Christmas Piano Theme” — PianoMusic, via SoundCloud
• "Surface Tension 1" —Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive

When the first department store Santa appeared in 1890, it wasn't just a cross section of Christmas and commerce. It was also a major step in the evolution of Santa Claus.

Fun Links

• First Department Store Santa: The Web site created by John Merian, who appears in this episode
• Eventually Supertrain: The Web site for Daniel Budnick, who shares a Christmas memory on the show

Music from this episode

• “Thannoid” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
• “Are We Loose Yet” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
• “Heliotrope” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
• "Wish Background" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech

You may cringe at the idea that Christmas advertisements are a legit Christmas tradition. But they're undeniably part of the atmosphere of the season...and have an interesting history behind them.

Fun Links

• Genuine Chit Chat: In this episode we hear from Mike, host of Genuine Chit Chat. Check him out on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts
• Christmas in America: The book by Penne Restadt, the expert guest in this episode

Music from this episode

• “Pipe Dreamz” — Matt Oakley, via Free Music Archive
• “Cases to Rest” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
• “We Wish You” — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech

It's that time of year again! Christmas Past is getting ready to return for the 2017 Christmas season with a fresh batch of stories behind your favorite holiday traditions. Subscribe now so you won't miss any episodes this season.

The first episode arrives on Thanksgiving Day. And this season has in store more of what you've come to love: fascinating histories, interesting guests, and Christmas memories from listeners. You can share your own by recording a voice memo on your phone and sending it to christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com. 

Follow along on social media by searching for Christmas Past podcast on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.