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Christmas Past

Behind every Christmas tradition is a story, often a forgotten one. Every year as we put up a tree and pour the eggnog, we’re continuing generations-old narratives, while being mostly unaware of their starting chapters. Join Brian Earl to explore the fascinating stories behind the most wonderful time of the year. It's equal parts nerdy deep dive and warmhearted celebration. Think: NPR meets Clement Clarke Moore! Christmas Past is one of the longest running Christmas podcasts, now in its seventh season. Vanity Fair says: "With excellent production, engaging narration, and short, digestible running times, Christmas Past is perfect to put on while decorating your tree or preparing Christmas dinner." Brian's new book is out now from Lyons Press and Recorded books! Get your copy today, wherever books are sold. And remember...it makes a great gift!
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Now displaying: December, 2017
Dec 24, 2017

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

Be sure to follow Christmas Past on social media. I'm posting fun extra Christmassy content on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. I also sometimes post things to Pinterest. You can send me messages in any of those places, or you can write me at christmaspastpodcast AT gmail DOT COM. I reply to every email I get!

You can subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts, like iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, and TuneIn. If you're on an Android device, the simplest way to subscribe may be right here.

And please rate and review the show on iTunes. It's a quick and painless way to show support. It takes less than a minute, and it helps more people find the show.

Dec 22, 2017

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 podcast, Inter Party Conflict)

Music from this episode

Be sure to follow Christmas Past on social media. I'm posting fun extra Christmassy content on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. I also sometimes post things to Pinterest. You can send me messages in any of those places, or you can write me at christmaspastpodcast AT gmail DOT COM. I reply to every email I get!

 

And please rate and review the show on iTunes. It's a quick and painless way to show support. It takes less than a minute, and it helps more people find the show.

 

Dec 20, 2017

 

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 the entire 24-hour movie marathon
  • Criminally Intrigued: Web site by Anthony, who shares a Christmas memory in this episode

Music from this episode

Be sure to follow Christmas Past on social media. I'm posting fun extra Christmassy content on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. I also sometimes post things to Pinterest. You can send me messages in any of those places, or you can write me at christmaspastpodcast AT gmail DOT COM. I reply to every email I get!

You can subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts, like iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, and TuneIn. If you're on an Android device, the simplest way to subscribe may be right here.

And please rate and review the show on iTunes. It's a quick and painless way to show support. It takes less than a minute, and it helps more people find the show.

Dec 18, 2017

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's definitive guide to the elements of cocktail technique

Music from this episode

  • Night Light” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
  • Contrarian” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
  • Wish Background” — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
  • "Partly Sage" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive

Stay connected to Christmas Past

Be sure to follow Christmas Past on social media. I'm posting fun extra Christmassy content on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. I also sometimes post things to Pinterest. You can send me messages in any of those places, or you can write me at christmaspastpodcast AT gmail DOT COM. I reply to every email I get!

You can subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts, like iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, and TuneIn. If you're on an Android device, the simplest way to subscribe may be right here.

And please rate and review the show on iTunes. It's a quick and painless way to show support. It takes less than a minute, and it helps more people find the show.

Dec 14, 2017

La buche du Noel is a festively eye-catching dessert from France. And it wouldn't have been possible if not for a nineteenth century urbanization trend and the widespread availability of cheap sugar.

Fun Links

Music from this episode

Stay connected to Christmas Past

Be sure to follow Christmas Past on social media. I'm posting fun extra Christmassy content on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. I also sometimes post things to Pinterest. You can send me messages in any of those places, or you can write me at christmaspastpodcast AT gmail DOT COM. I reply to every email I get!

You can subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts, like iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, and TuneIn. If you're on an Android device, the simplest way to subscribe may be right here.

And please rate and review the show on iTunes. It's a quick and painless way to show support. It takes less than a minute, and it helps more people find the show.

Dec 11, 2017

Unlike other Christmas traditions that Americans import from abroad, The Nutcracker didn't become a Christmas tradition until it reached America. And as far as Christmas traditions go, it's one of the newer ones we have.

Fun Links

  • Nutcracker Nation: Book by Jennifer Fisher, the expert guest from this episode
  • Super Co-op Squad: Video game podcast hosted by Johnny Mac, who shares a Christmas memory in this episode

Music from this episode

  • “The Nutcracker Suite” — Gene Gajewski, via SoundCloud
  • “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” — Kevin MacLeod, via Free Music Archive

Stay connected to Christmas Past

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 messages in any of those places, or you can write me at christmaspastpodcast AT gmail DOT COM. I reply to every email I get!

You can subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts, like iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn. If you're on an Android device, the simplest way to subscribe may be right here.

And please rate and review the show on iTunes. It's a quick and painless way to show support. It takes less than a minute, and it helps more people find the show.

Dec 7, 2017

 

 

 

Holly is inseparable from Christmas. But its use in wintertime celebrations goes back even farther than Christmas itself.

Fun Links

Music from this episode

Stay connected to Christmas Past

Be sure to follow Christmas Past on social media. I'm posting fun extra Christmassy content on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. I also sometimes post things to Pinterest. You can send me messages in any of those places, or you can write me at christmaspastpodcast AT gmail DOT COM. I reply to every email I get!

You can subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts, like iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, and TuneIn. If you're on an Android device, the simplest way to subscribe may be right here.

And please rate and review the show on iTunes. It's a quick and painless way to show support. It takes less than a minute, and it helps more people find the show.

Dec 4, 2017

In 1962, the first Christmas cartoon created for television debuted. And even decades later, nothing can compete with the classic cartoons from that era.

Fun Links

Music from this episode

  • Wingspan” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
  • Gentle Marimbas” — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive
  • Flattered” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
  • "Bethlehem" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
Dec 1, 2017

In a first-of-its-kind crossover collaboration, seven Christmas podcasters are coming together to read you the classic Christmas story, The House of the Seven Santas, by John Kendrick Bangs.

Each podcast will present a few minutes of the story. You'll hear seven different Christmas podcasts in all to hear the story in its entirety. Here's the full list:

Music from this episode

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