Christmas Past
479 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 months ago - ★★★★★ - 746 ratingsBehind 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, soon entering its ninth 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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Episodes
Backstory — Christmas Cards
December 13, 2016 05:18 - 11 minutes - 8.16 MBAmericans 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 Ch...
Backstory: Christmas Cards
December 13, 2016 05:18 - 11 minutes - 8.17 MBAmericans 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 Ch...
Backstory — Wrapping Paper
December 09, 2016 15:09 - 11 minutes - 7.61 MBThe 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 fo...
Wrapping Paper
December 09, 2016 15:09 - 11 minutes - 15.2 MBThe 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 fo...
Backstory: Wrapping Paper
December 09, 2016 15:09 - 11 minutes - 7.62 MBThe 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 "...
Backstory: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
December 05, 2016 15:21 - 11 minutes - 7.9 MBThe 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 p...
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
December 05, 2016 15:21 - 11 minutes - 15.7 MBThe 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...
Backstory — Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
December 05, 2016 15:21 - 11 minutes - 7.89 MBThe 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...
Letters to Santa
December 01, 2016 15:28 - 12 minutes - 17.2 MBThe 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....
Backstory — Letters to Santa
December 01, 2016 15:28 - 12 minutes - 8.63 MBThe 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....
Backstory: Letters to Santa
December 01, 2016 15:28 - 12 minutes - 8.64 MBThe 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 [email protected]
Gingerbread Houses
November 27, 2016 17:15 - 10 minutes - 14.4 MBFor 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. Subscrib...
Backstory — Gingerbread Houses
November 27, 2016 17:15 - 10 minutes - 7.25 MBFor 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. Subscrib...
Backstory: Gingerbread Houses
November 27, 2016 17:15 - 10 minutes - 7.26 MBFor 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 ...
Santa Claus, Part 3
November 23, 2016 16:02 - 12 minutes - 17.6 MBWe're finishing off the series about Santa with a look at what happened to the legend when it reached America. The Santa we know today is largely an American invention, based on the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas. Dr. Bruce David Forbes joins one last time to tell us about the American contributions that put the finishing touches on Santa. Subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes or however you get podcasts. Leave a review on iTunes, if you like what you hear. You can reach me at christmaspast...
Backstory — Santa Claus, Part 3
November 23, 2016 16:02 - 12 minutes - 8.82 MBWe're finishing off the series about Santa with a look at what happened to the legend when it reached America. The Santa we know today is largely an American invention, based on the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas. Dr. Bruce David Forbes joins one last time to tell us about the American contributions that put the finishing touches on Santa. Subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes or however you get podcasts. Leave a review on iTunes, if you like what you hear. You can reach me at christmaspast...
Christmas Traditions: Santa Claus, Part 3
November 23, 2016 16:02 - 12 minutes - 17.6 MBWe're finishing off the series about Santa with a look at what happened to the legend when it reached America. The Santa we know today is largely an American invention, based on the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas. Dr. Bruce David Forbes joins one last time to tell us about the American contributions that put the finishing touches on Santa. Subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes or however you get podcasts. Leave a review on iTunes, if you like what you hear. You can reach me at christmaspast...
Backstory: Santa Claus, Part 3
November 23, 2016 16:02 - 12 minutes - 8.83 MBWe're finishing off the series about Santa with a look at what happened to the legend when it reached America. The Santa we know today is largely an American invention, based on the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas. Dr. Bruce David Forbes joins one last time to tell us about the American contributions that put the finishing touches on Santa. Subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes or however you get podcasts. Leave a review on iTunes, if you like what you hear. You can reach me at christmaspastp...
Santa Claus, Part 2
November 19, 2016 21:20 - 10 minutes - 14.3 MBContinuing where we left off in part 1, we continue exploring the legend of St. Nicholas. This time, we look at how many cultures left their own imprint on the legend as it spread across Europe. Once again, I'm joined by professor and author Dr. Bruce David Forbes. We also hear our first Christmas memory of the season from Hope in Massachusetts. You can submit a memory by recording a voice memo on your phone and sending it to christmaspastpodcast at gmail dot com Subscribe on iTunes or ...
Backstory: Santa Claus, Part 2
November 19, 2016 21:20 - 10 minutes - 7.15 MBContinuing where we left off in part 1, we continue exploring the legend of St. Nicholas. This time, we look at how many cultures left their own imprint on the legend as it spread across Europe. Once again, I'm joined by professor and author Dr. Bruce David Forbes. We also hear our first Christmas memory of the season from Hope in Massachusetts. You can submit a memory by recording a voice memo on your phone and sending it to christmaspastpodcast at gmail dot com Subscribe on iTunes or wh...
Christmas Traditions: Santa Claus, Part 2
November 19, 2016 21:20 - 10 minutes - 14.3 MBContinuing where we left off in part 1, we continue exploring the legend of St. Nicholas. This time, we look at how many cultures left their own imprint on the legend as it spread across Europe. Once again, I'm joined by professor and author Dr. Bruce David Forbes. We also hear our first Christmas memory of the season from Hope in Massachusetts. You can submit a memory by recording a voice memo on your phone and sending it to christmaspastpodcast at gmail dot com Subscribe on iTunes or ...
Backstory — Santa Claus, Part 2
November 19, 2016 21:20 - 10 minutes - 14.3 MBContinuing where we left off in part 1, we continue exploring the legend of St. Nicholas. This time, we look at how many cultures left their own imprint on the legend as it spread across Europe. Once again, I'm joined by professor and author Dr. Bruce David Forbes. We also hear our first Christmas memory of the season from Hope in Massachusetts. You can submit a memory by recording a voice memo on your phone and sending it to christmaspastpodcast at gmail dot com Subscribe on iTunes or ...
Christmas Traditions: Santa Claus, Part 1
November 15, 2016 05:00 - 12 minutes - 16.7 MBWe're kicking off the 2016 season with a 3-part series on the evolution of St. Nicholas to Santa Claus. Most episodes this season are for the whole family, but this series is just for the grownups. In this episode, I cover the life of the historical St. Nicholas, a 4th century bishop from Myra (modern day Turkey), and the legends that followed his death. Don't forget to subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes (or however you get podcasts) to make sure you don't miss any episodes this sea...
Santa Claus, Part 1
November 15, 2016 05:00 - 12 minutes - 16.7 MBWe're kicking off the 2016 season with a 3-part series on the evolution of St. Nicholas to Santa Claus. Most episodes this season are for the whole family, but this series is just for the grownups. In this episode, I cover the life of the historical St. Nicholas, a 4th century bishop from Myra (modern day Turkey), and the legends that followed his death. Don't forget to subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes (or however you get podcasts) to make sure you don't miss any episodes this sea...
Backstory — Santa Claus, Part 1
November 15, 2016 05:00 - 12 minutes - 16.7 MBWe're kicking off the 2016 season with a 3-part series on the evolution of St. Nicholas to Santa Claus. Most episodes this season are for the whole family, but this series is just for the grownups. In this episode, I cover the life of the historical St. Nicholas, a 4th century bishop from Myra (modern day Turkey), and the legends that followed his death. Don't forget to subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes (or however you get podcasts) to make sure you don't miss any episodes this sea...
Backstory: Santa Claus, Part 1
November 15, 2016 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.38 MBWe're kicking off the 2016 season with a 3-part series on the evolution of St. Nicholas to Santa Claus. Most episodes this season are for the whole family, but this series is just for the grownups. In this episode, I cover the life of the historical St. Nicholas, a 4th century bishop from Myra (modern day Turkey), and the legends that followed his death. Don't forget to subscribe to Christmas Past on iTunes (or however you get podcasts) to make sure you don't miss any episodes this seaso...
Trailer: Introducing Christmas Past
November 01, 2016 14:08 - 3 minutes - 2.47 MBWith the holiday season just weeks away, I thought now would be the perfect time to tell you about the Christmas Past podcast. Subscribe now on iTunes or however you get your podcasts, and visit me at christmaspastpodcast.com
Introducing: Christmas Past
November 01, 2016 14:08 - 3 minutes - 6.49 MBWith the holiday season just weeks away, I thought now would be the perfect time to tell you about the Christmas Past podcast. Subscribe now on iTunes or however you get your podcasts, and visit me at christmaspastpodcast.com
Trailer — Introducing Christmas Past
November 01, 2016 14:08 - 3 minutes - 6.49 MBWith the holiday season just weeks away, I thought now would be the perfect time to tell you about the Christmas Past podcast. Subscribe now on iTunes or however you get your podcasts, and visit me at christmaspastpodcast.com