Christmas 2023
Christmas Past
It's our eighth consecutive Christmas together. As we close out the 2023 season, we're taking a look back at the news and trends that made this Christmas what it was. Thank you all for another wonderful Christmas season together. Merry Christmas! And until we meet again, may your days be merry and bright. Music in this Episode "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
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Backstory — Boxing Day
Christmas Past
Here in America, the day after Christmas is simply that: the day after. The party's over. But in England, it's an official holiday. December 26 — Boxing Day — is the Christmas afterparty you've been missing out on. What's the story? And what does it have to do with boxing? Paul Kerensa joins Christmas Past to...unpack the box. Mentioned in this Episode , by Paul Kerensa Music in this Episode "" — U.S. Army Band, via Wikimedia Commons "" — DJ Williams, via Youtube Audio Library "" — Julius H., via Pixabay "" — Alexander Nakarada, via Film Music "" — Kai...
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Your Christmas Memories: 2023, vol 2
Christmas Past
Christmas Day is less than a week from now. In this final stretch of the 2023 season, let's have another gathering of the Christmas Past family. Yes, it’s time once again for an episode dedicated just to you and your Christmas memories. Cozy up by the fire with us for a little Christmas reminiscing. Music in this Episode "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
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Backstory — A Meatless Christmas Eve Meal
Christmas Past
For many families, the Christmas Eve feast is a so-called "meatless meal." It's a tradition of European Christian roots that has gone on to take many forms. Mentioned in this episode Music in this Episode "" — wildsound159, via Pixabay "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist "" — Scott Buckley, via ScottBuckley.com.au "" — DJ Williams, via Youtube Audio Library "" — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive
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A Visit to Old Fezziwig's Christmas Eve Ball
Christmas Past
Old Fezziwig sure knew how to throw an office Christmas party. Dickens's description of Christmas Eve in Fezziwig's counting house included vigorous fiddling and elaborate dancing. That style of dance may belong to a bygone time, but it lives on in the annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair. In this special episode, Cathleen Myers joins Christmas Past to explain how Victorians danced their way to Christmas. Mentioned in this Episode (Peers) Music in this Episode "" — Primal House Music, via Pixabay "" — Julius H., via Pixabay
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Backstory — Christmas Postage Stamps
Christmas Past
In the late nineteenth century modern postal systems were still coming into their own. Around the turn of the century, many countries, including England, began issuing Christmas themed postage stamps. You might think that America would have been among them, but boy would you be wrong. In fact, America was one of the last countries to get on board. American Christmas stamps are only a few decades old. And the story there has to do with simple economics and America’s system of government. Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Denys Kyshchuk, via Pixabay "Running...
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The Brady Bunch: The Voice of Christmas (with Christopher Knight!)
Christmas Past
The Brady Bunch is an iconic American sitcom that ran for five seasons. But it produced only one Christmas episode during its original run. "The Voice of Christmas" from season 1 finds Carol with laryngitis days before she's scheduled to sing a solo for her church's Christmas service. The one and only Christopher Knight joins Brian to break this episode down. Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "" — Noisepatterns, via SoundCloud "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "" — Dream Protocol, via Pixabay "" — Aakash Gandhi, via Youtube Audio...
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Backstory — Shortbread
Christmas Past
For a bread that’s short, its history is long. Exactly how long, and the particulars of how it all came about, though, are unclear. But one this is clear: shortbread is an essential — and delicious — part of the festive season. Mentioned in this Episode Youtube Channel , book by Max Miller Music in this Episode "" — Trygve Larsen, Pixabay "" — Axletree, via Free Music Archive "" — Agnese Valmaggia, via Film Music "" — Trygve Larsen, Pixabay "Angels We Have Heard on High" — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist
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Your Christmas Memories: 2023, vol 1
Christmas Past
One of my favorite parts of creating Christmas Past is sharing your Christmas memories. I love the warm connections I’ve had with so many of you over the years, and the glimpses you provide into your Christmases Past. So, today, I’m excited to take a break from the normal action and bring to you an episode dedicated just to you and your Christmas memories. Music in this Episode — RelaxingTime, via Pixabay
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Backstory — Wishbooks
Christmas Past
Colorful, glossy, enticing. For generations of children, the annual department store Christmas catalog was a field guide, a treasure map, and the fuel for hearts desires and letters to Santa. And then, one day, they were gone. Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Oleg Kirilkov, via Pixabay "" — 23117649, via Pixabay "" — Juan Sanchez, via Pixabay "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
info_outlineChristmas in Quarantine: Day 12. Today's installment is an interview with author Jon Clinch. His 2019 novel, Marley is a prequel to A Christmas Carol and the untold story of Scrooge's mysterious business partner. It's a moody, noirish return to the world of Dickens in a story of double dealings, false identities, debauchery, and even worse! I recently caught up with Jon Clinch from his home in Vermont.
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Music in this episode
"Snowflake" — Borrtex, via Free Music Archive
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