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:
Rate Christmas Past on Apple Podcasts, and I'll send you a sticker to say thanks. After leaving your review, get in touch through the contact page at http://christmaspast.media/contact and let me know your Apple Podcasts username and an address where you can receive your sticker.
Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Christmas Past is a proud member of the Christmas Podcast Network, a collection of the best Christmas shows around.
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:
And a shout out to the rest of the Christmas Podcast Network shows:
Find out more about each show at http://www.christmaspodcastnetwork.com
Music in this episode
Night Light by Blue Dot Sessions
Christmas Past will be back again on Thanksgiving Day to kick off the 2018 season. You can expect an episode to arrive every few days all the way up till Christmas day. Join me for more of the fascinating backstories behind your favorite Christmas traditions and of course more of your Christmas memories. It’s not too late to be on the show this season. Record a voice memo on your phone and send it to christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com. Or leave a voicemail on my google voice line at 650-394-7162.
Come to the http://christmaspast.media for articles, quizzes, videos, and much more, including links to the new Facebook group and YouTube channel.
Subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. And if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts / iTunes, I'll send you a sticker to say thanks. Email me for details.
See you on Thanksgiving Day!
Music in this episode
Silver by Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
This Halloween, Christmas Past is masquerading as one of my favorite podcasts: Tis the Podcast. Hosts Anthony and Julia join me for a Halloween crossover as we discuss everyone's favorite ghost story: A Christmas Carol. We cover the 1984 made-for-TV version starring George C. Scott.
Tis the Podcast co-host Thom was with us in spirit (as in the spirit of Christmas Future), because he was busy working on a surprise. My lips are sealed for now, but I'll have more to say about that sometime soon.
Music in this episode
Turning by Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
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?
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!
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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.
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.
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.
By popular request, this episode is dedicated solely to your Christmas memories!
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!
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.
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.
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.
We've drunk some form of eggnog since medieval times. But it didn't become a Christmas beverage until it reached America.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Holly is inseparable from Christmas. But its use in wintertime celebrations goes back even farther than Christmas itself.
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.
In 1962, the first Christmas cartoon created for television debuted. And even decades later, nothing can compete with the classic cartoons from that era.
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:
The first Christmas lights appeared in 1882, and would forever change the scenery at Christmas time.
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.
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.
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.
For the final episode of 2016, we celebrate Christmas Day with Brian's family and take a look back at the 2016 Christmas season.
Thank you, everyone, for a wonderful first season of the podcast! I hope to be back again next year with more stories from Christmas Past.
Things will slow down on social media after today, but I'm not going anywhere, you can always find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or drop me a line at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2017!
It's Christmas Eve! In our second-to-last episode of the season, Brian talks about his favorite Christmas Eve traditions and we hear from some of Brian's family members.
Subscribe on iTunes and visit www.christmaspastpodcast.com for show notes and extra content. Search for Christmas Past podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Even though you've heard mention of sugar plum every Christmas of your life, do you actually know what they are?
In this episode, we hear about the history of the sugar plum and how it came to be associated with Christmas.
We have two memories this episode! Both of them recall favorite childhood Christmas movies.
Search for Christmas Past podcast on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and visit http://www.christmaspastpodcast.com for show notes. Write me anytime at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com
Getting tired of 24-hour Christmas movie marathons and stale cartoon specials? Take a trip back in time to the golden age of radio. You may like to check out the Christmas Old Time Radio podcast or search around Archive.org to continue your listening after this episode.
We hear from Chicago DJ Steve Darnall and some Christmas memories from Anna in California. I can't believe we're almost done with the first season of Christmas Past! One more full length episode to come, followed by two mini episodes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Search for Christmas Past podcast on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and visit http://www.christmaspastpodcast.com for show notes and more.
Americans will send over a billion Christmas cards this year. Even in this age of instantaneous communication, the physical Christmas card is still inseparable from our modern holiday celebration. The Christmas card is an English invention. A man named Henry Cole is credited with creating the first commercially produced Christmas card in 1843. But more interesting are the social, economic, and technological factors that all came together at roughly the same time to enable the birth of the Christmas card.
In this episode we hear from Stephanie Boydell, curator of a special collection of greeting cards. And a Christmas memory from Annmarie in Massachusetts.
Subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes, Google Play, or however you get your podcasts. Search for Christmas Past podcast on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more Christmas fun. Find show notes and more info about the show at http://www.christmaspastpodcast.com.
The appearance of festive gift wrap in stores is one of the first signs that the Christmas season is here. But wrapping Christmas gifts is a relatively new custom.
In this episode of Christmas Past, we learn about the surprisingly interesting history of wrapping paper, with some help from Pat Lavin of the Framingham History Center.
Corey Constable, host of the Omitted podcast, shares a Christmas memory.
Subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes or however you get your podcasts. Search for "Christmas Past podcast: on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And visit www.christmaspastpodcast for show notes and other extra content.
The story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a classic underdog story, but maybe not the way you think. In this episode, we discuss the unlikely journey of Robert L. May from workaday copywriter to creator of an icon.
In this episode we'll hear from Peter Carini, a librarian at Dartmouth College, which holds a collection of May's work. And we'll hear a Christmas memory from Kathy in New Jersey.
Don't forget to subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes, Google Play, or however you get your podcasts.
Search for "Christmas Past podcast" on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more Christmas history and vintage Christmas content.
Visit www.christmaspastpodcast.com for show notes and more. Contact me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com