Christmas Past

Merry Christmas! The festive season reaches its peak today. And for the tenth year in a row, I'm here on Christmas Day to take a look back. We'll reflect on the news and trends, the sights and sounds that made Christmas of 2025 what it was. Plus, a little report from Christmas Past headquarters, and a guest appearance from little Dashiell! Wishing all of your a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll see you all again in 2026! Music in this Episode "Deck the Halls A" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

This episode arrives on Christmas Eve Eve. It's our final family gathering of the season, where members of the Christmas Past family share some of their favorite Christmas memories. Music in This Episode Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas BellsPodcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing Vibes Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

A mysterious philanthropist spent more than 25 years handing out cash anonymously around Kansas City at Christmastime. Music in this Episode I Knew A GuyElegy for ManushThe Agency ManVelvet LadderSoft Piano MusicA Very Brady SpecialHark! The Herald Angels Sing Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

We're at the end of the last full week of the Christmas season. Christmas 2025 is right around the corner. And today, we're back with another family gathering to reminisce about Christmases past. It's another visit dedicated to you and your Christmas memories! Music in This Episode Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas BellsPodcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing VibesOrder your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

During the Great War, the fighting briefly ceased on Christmas on some parts of the front line. The so-called "Christmas Truce" has become almost legendary. What really happened? Read some of the newspaper articles from 1914 and 1915 reporting on the story at the Library of Congress's Chronicling America archive. Music in this Episode Drum Feature: Generations from the Simple Gifts ShowSilent NightIt Came Upon a Midnight ClearSlowest TimeGod Rest Ye Merry, GentlemenThe First NoelSilent NightGentle Soft Piano | Christmas Vibes Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

1968 was one of the most tumultuous years in modern history. But one bright spot occurred on Christmas Eve: an amazing feat that captivated the world. Music in this Episode FarewellEndless CosmosYou'll Never Come to DorsetDawn SummitCozy Jazz Podcast Music with Christmas Bells Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

A tragic accident at Christmastime in 1917 gives way to a story of a heroic response, a lasting friendship, and a unique Christmas tradition. Read Walter's letter to Harold, described in this story. Music in this Episode Carrier's LullabyQuiet SerenityStay the CourseRelax Romantic Jazz Calm Soothing Home Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

Boy, are we right in the thick of this Christmas season. Thanksgiving was just a little over two weeks ago. Christmas Day is just a little under two weeks from today. I suppose that makes it peak Christmas season. So, what better time to come together again for a Christmas Past family gathering? Today, it's another special episode dedicated to you and your Christmas memories. Music in This Episode Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas BellsPodcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing VibesOrder your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

A child's Christmas surprise for his family in 1902 became the stuff of myth and legend. Music in this Episode Crystal DreamsSilent MovieDreadnaught FilesCannoliniLonely ChristmasCalm Christmas Piano Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

In 1953, a Christmas Eve train bound for New Zealand's capital city met a tragic fate. Music in this Episode ImerroBucharestCozy WinterVelejoBelow the RiverSad Sorrowful Documentary MusicVenus Aire Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

In 1882, inventor Edward Johnson set up a one-of-a-kind Christmas display in his New York City home...and it changed the face of Christmas as we know it. Music in This Episode Vessel FiveIn the SaloonWhispers of the HeartVessel OneSunday MorningWorld of Dreams Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

The Christmas season is in full swing. The tree is up. The carols are playing. The shopping and baking merrymaking of all sorts is here once again. We're all doing a lot of the stuff that Christmas memories are made of. And Christmas memories are what bring us together here today. This season on Christmas Past, I’m sharing your Christmas memories in special episodes dedicated just to them...like this one. I want to share one of your memories in one of the several other episodes like that will arrive in the coming weeks. Listen to the episode for details on how to be on the show! Music in This Episode Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas BellsPodcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing VibesOrder your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

On a cold winter's night, a man working in a field saw an out-of-place object in the night sky. This is a Christmas story, but it's not the one you think it is. Music in This Episode Below the RiverDream LodgerEmbrace SerenityMallet PlayThe First NoelOrder your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

Inventor Reginald Aubrey Fessenden received hundreds of patents in his career. And one invention that debuted in 1906 changed Christmas as we know it. Music in This Episode Agony and IvoryThe CrestingTranquilityPeaceful Acoustic Guitar Instrumental for RelaxationWholesome Original LullabyOrder your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

Teenaged Annie Ide resented being born on December 25 because Christmas always overshadowed her birthday. But a unique birthday gift from an eccentric family friend would change the course of her life forever. Music in This Episode An Early SneakTaboretCalm Meditation, Good SleepCozy Jazz Podcast Music with Christmas BellsClean SoulSparkling TwilightOrder your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

Just dropping by with a quick hello, now that the season is in full swing. Today, I share an announcement about this season of Christmas Past, as well as share highlights from my annual visit to the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco. Plus...a surprise guest appearance! Music in this Episode "Working Time - Soft Acoustic Guitar" — Dream Protocol, via Pixabay Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! It's the kickoff to the main season of Christmas Past. What better way to get things going than with a cozy gathering around the fire for some old fashioned storytelling? Today, I'm back with a ghost story for Christmas. In "Lucky's Grove," when a Christmas tree is selected from a mysterious grove, strange and tragic events follow. Thanks to my friends at Biblioasis for once again giving me the opportunity to share this year's set of ghost stories with you. There's still time to buy hard copies of these beautifully designed editions of classic ghost stories. Music in This Episode The Holly and the Ivy - Celtic Christmas MusicDeep RelaxationOrder your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

In today's episode, Vaughn Joy, Ph.D. joins Christmas Past to discuss how the social and political climate of the mid-20th century shaped the Christmas movies of that era. She's the author of the new book, Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy Music in this Episode "Happy Night Christmas Winter Jazz" — Music for Videos, via Pixabay Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

Today, we welcome back a frequent guest on Christmas Past. Thomas Ruys Smith is a professor of American literature and culture at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. He’s also a frequent guest on Christmas Past and the author of several books about Christmas history and literature. His latest is Searching for Santa Claus: An Anthology of the Poems, Stories, and Illustrations that Shaped a Global Icon. Music in this Episode "Jazz Christmas Music" — Pulsebox, via Pixabay Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

Today, I'm talking to Alonso Duralde, film critic, podcaster, and author of Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas (2nd Edition). Music in this episode "Our Minds Following" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago Connect with Me https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)