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Christmas Past

Brian Earl

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5.0

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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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Top 10 Christmas Past Episodes

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12/01/16 • 12 min

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5.0

The history of writing letters to Santa has some strange surprises in store for us.

In this episode we hear from Gus Ruiz from the US Postal Service, Nancy Pope from the Smithsonian Institution's Postal Museum, and a Christmas Memory from Kenny in Ontario.

Subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes or however you get your podcasts. Search for "Christmas Past podcast" on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Visit www.christmaspastpodcast.com for show notes. Write me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com

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11/27/16 • 10 min

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5.0

For centuries, gingerbread has been connected with all kinds of celebrations and holidays. And what could be more Christmassy than a gingerbread house? In this episode, we look at the history of gingerbread and the somewhat mysterious origins of the gingerbread house.

We'll hear from my mom, who made a gingerbread house every year when I was growing up. We'll also hear from Melissa Ferrar from San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel, which builds a life size gingerbread house annually.

Subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes or however you get your podcasts. Search for "Christmas Past podcast" on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Visit www.christmaspastpodcast.com for show notes.

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10/28/19 • 14 min

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I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This time, I have the honor of sharing an audio piece by Chantelle from All Things Christmas. Learn all about Christmas in Japan! And then, check out Chantelle's blog and YouTube channel.

Announcements

  1. If you leave a review I’ll send you a Christmas card containing a Christmas Past sticker. Write me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com for details.
  2. Send your Christmas memory for the 2019 season. Record yourself on your phone’s voice recorder app and send it to the email address above.
  3. I’m doing a live show this year at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco in November. I’m teaming up with Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas for a fun and very Victorian hour or Christmas spirit.
  4. I’ll be appearing on a podcasters panel at Christmas Con in Edison New Jersey on November 9, but tickets are sold out.
  5. I'll be at ChristmasLand on December 15 in Los Angeles! It’s an immersive Christmas movie experience that'll give you "all the feels.” Follow them on Instagram @christmaslandexperience.

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and check out all the bonus Christmas content at christmaspast.media

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It's June 25, and that means we're exactly halfway to Christmas! The occasion has come to be known as Leon Day, but nobody's really sure how that all got started. But one thing's for sure: many crafters recognize it as the day to get started on their Christmas crafting. In this episode, I get some insight from Holly, a crafter from Missouri. We also hear from Mary in Ireland, who shares some of her memories about celebrating "halfway to Christmas."

Also, just like last year, this summer episode also includes a midyear check-in and special announcements about the upcoming season of Christmas Past. You'll definitely want to check it out, because 2019 is going to be the biggest and best season yet!

For even more info about Leon Day, check out this article I recently wrote for All Things Christmas.

Mentioned in this episode Music in this episode

Rate and review Christmas Past on Apple Podcasts, and I'll send you an official Christmas Past sticker and a handwritten Christmas card to say thanks!

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I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This time, I present a special "best of" sampler from Todd Killian's podcast, Christmas Clatter.

Announcements

  1. If you leave a review I’ll send you a Christmas card containing a Christmas Past sticker. Write me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com for details.
  2. Send your Christmas memory for the 2019 season. Record yourself on your phone’s voice recorder app and send it to the email address above.
  3. I’m doing a live show this year at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco in November. I’m teaming up with Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas for a fun and very Victorian hour or Christmas spirit.
  4. I’ll be appearing on a podcasters panel at Christmas Con in Edison New Jersey on November 9, but tickets are sold out.
  5. I'll be at ChristmasLand on December 15 in Los Angeles! It’s an immersive Christmas movie experience that'll give you "all the feels.” Follow them on Instagram @christmaslandexperience.

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and check out all the bonus Christmas content at christmaspast.media

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12/16/18 • 16 min

Shortly after Thanksgiving, certain cable news and talk radio pundits remind you that it’s that it’s time once again to be outraged. Because sinister forces are working to take Christmas away from you. Is there really a war on Christmas? Listen to this episode and then judge for yourself.

Music in this episode

  • "Undercover Vampire Policeman"— Chris Zabriskie, via Free Music Archive
  • "Together we Stand" — Scott Holmes, via Free Music Archive
  • "Gentle Marimbas" — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive
  • "Holiday Gift" — Kai Engel, via Free Music Archive
  • "We Wish You" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
  • "Wish Background" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
  • "Box Canyon" — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive

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.

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11/23/19 • 23 min

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode. Your favorite Christmas radio station may have you thinking that there are only about two dozen Christmas songs (mostly from the 1940s and 50s) worth listening to. Nonsense! In this episode, I share some new music worthy of your next Christmas playlist.

Announcements
  • There's still time to get tickets for Christmas Land in Los Angeles on December 15
  • A Christmas in July convention is in the works for 2020 in Nashville...and I'll be there!
  • If you leave a review I’ll send you a Christmas card containing a Christmas Past sticker. Write me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com for details.
  • Send your Christmas memory for the 2019 season. Record yourself on your phone’s voice recorder app and send it to the email address above

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and check out all the bonus Christmas content at christmaspast.media

Links Music in this episode

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Christmas 2019

Christmas Past

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12/25/19 • 8 min

Another Christmas in the books! By the time you see this, Christmas of 2019 belongs to Christmas Past. We close out the "official" Christmas season as we've done for four years in a row. It's our annual look back at the news and trends that made Christmas of 2019 what it was. We also do a little year-in-review for the podcast, and take a look ahead to what 202 has in store.

Thank you all for making the 2019 season the biggest and best yet for Christmas Past! From the bottom of my heart, I'm wishing each of you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Links Music in this episode

"Deck the Halls A" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech

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11/11/19 • 10 min

I'm back with another Ber Months Bonus episode! This week, I'm taking you inside Christmas Con 2019.

Announcements

  1. If you leave a review I’ll send you a Christmas card containing a Christmas Past sticker. Write me at christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com for details.
  2. Send your Christmas memory for the 2019 season. Record yourself on your phone’s voice recorder app and send it to the email address above.
  3. I’m doing a live show this year at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco in November. I’m teaming up with Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas for a fun and very Victorian hour or Christmas spirit.
  4. I'll be at ChristmasLand on December 15 in Los Angeles! It’s an immersive Christmas movie experience that'll give you "all the feels.” Follow them on Instagram @christmaslandexperience.

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and check out all the bonus Christmas content at christmaspast.media

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We're in the Ber Months now, so get ready for some bonus episodes as we ease our way into the 2019 Christmas season!

Announcements in this episode

About this bonus episode

Joanna Wilson is an author, blogger, and podcaster who studies Christmas entertainment. In this episode, I share part of her five-part series about that topic. Enjoy this bonus episode, then go to Christmas TV History to check out the rest.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Christmas Past have?

Christmas Past currently has 196 episodes available.

What topics does Christmas Past cover?

The podcast is about Season, Society & Culture, Kids & Family, Holiday, Holidays, Christmas, Podcasts and Nostalgia.

What is the most popular episode on Christmas Past?

The episode title 'Backstory — Letters to Santa' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Christmas Past?

The average episode length on Christmas Past is 20 minutes.

How often are episodes of Christmas Past released?

Episodes of Christmas Past are typically released every 2 days, 23 hours.

When was the first episode of Christmas Past?

The first episode of Christmas Past was released on Nov 1, 2016.

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5.0

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6 Ratings

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Wayne Clarke

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Apr 29

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