THE ‘BER MONTHS ARE HERE! And you know what that means… it’s basically Christmas now. We don’t make the rules.

Eric, Danny, and Producer Chris are officially welcoming in the most wonderful stretch of the calendar with a brand-new offseason episode of Christmas Countdown packed with Christmas news, holiday hot takes, festive debates, and the wonderfully random nonsense you’ve come to expect.

First, the fellas unwrap and react to some of the latest Christmas and holiday news (is a new Home Alone movie starring Macaulay Culkin REALLY happening??), catch up on what’s been happening in their lives, and celebrate the glorious arrival of the ‘Ber Months—when September hits and suddenly listening to Christmas music feels just a little more socially acceptable.

Then it’s time to give the Winter Wheel of Wondermint a few spins!

Where will it land? This time, the wheel sends Eric, Danny, and Chris down some particularly merry rabbit holes, including:

🎁 Christmas gifts gone horribly wrong
🎶 Songs that aren’t technically Christmas songs… but absolutely FEEL like Christmas songs
🏢 Creative ways to bring Christmas cheer into the workplace

Naturally, all of this leads to plenty of wildly unnecessary tangents, questionable opinions, nostalgic Christmas memories, holiday debates, and random non-Christmas banter that somehow finds its way onto a Christmas podcast.

If you’re already counting down to Christmas 2026, breaking out the holiday playlists, planning your Christmas decorations, or simply believe September 1st marks the unofficial beginning of the holiday season… welcome home.

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The ’Ber Months Are Here! Christmas News, Holiday Hot Takes & Festive Fun

We’re officially HALFWAY TO CHRISTMAS 2026, and Christmas Countdown is celebrating the occasion the only way we know how: with festive fun, holiday chaos, and a visit from the big man himself!

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In this gigantically jolly Dasher Day special, hosts Eric Petersen and Danny Jordan count down their Top 5 Christmas Movie Characters They’d Love to Go on Summer Vacation With. From lovable elves and holiday heroes to unforgettable Christmas movie icons, the guys reveal their dream travel companions and explain exactly why each character made the guest list.

Would Buddy the Elf dominate a beach vacation? Could Kevin McCallister plan the ultimate resort itinerary? Which Christmas movie character would make the perfect travel buddy? You’ll have to listen to find out!

🎅 PLUS… a very merry surprise guest arrives!

That’s right — Santa J. Claus himself drops by the show to give an exclusive update straight from the North Pole, share what the elves have been up to during the offseason, and join the guys for a few spins of the legendary:

🎡 WINTER WHEEL OF WONDERMINT 🎡

As always, the wheel delivers festive surprises, holiday debates, and plenty of Christmas cheer.

Eric, Danny, and Producer Chris also catch up on life since the last episode, read messages from the incredible Christmas Countdown community, and get delightfully sidetracked by random holiday (and non-holiday) banter along the way.

Whether you’re counting down the days until Christmas 2026 or just looking for a little mid-year Christmas magic, this Dasher Day celebration is packed with enough holiday spirit to carry you all the way to December.

Follow, subscribe, rate, and review Christmas Countdown wherever you’re listening.

Keep the festive fun going all year long by following us on social media:

@christmascountdownshow

Happy Dasher Day, Christmas Countdown Crew!

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Who says April has to be all sunshine and flowers? Around here, it’s snowflakes, sleigh bells, and seasonal chaos.

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In this fantastically festive offseason episode of the hit holiday podcast Christmas Countdown, hosts Eric Petersen and Danny Jordan are back with Producer Chris for an Arctic April hang packed with laughs, surprises, and year-round Christmas spirit.

The guys kick things off by catching up on everything happening in their lives since the last episode — the wins, the weirdness, and the stories that somehow always lead to completely unplanned hilarity.

Then it’s time for a fan-favorite segment… Fan Mail! Eric, Danny, and Chris open messages from listeners, react in real time, and celebrate the Christmas Countdown community that keeps the merry going all year long.

And then… buckle up.

🎡 THE WINTER WHEEL OF WONDERMINT returns and spins a bunch of times, with each landing revealing a surprise holiday topic the fellas must discuss on the spot. Think:

🎅 Holiday traditions
🏋️ Santa Claus’ workout routine
🧀 Christmas appetizers
…and whatever festive madness the wheel decides next.

As always, expect random holiday (and non-holiday) tangents, nostalgic detours, big laughs, and the kind of cozy chaos only Christmas Countdown can deliver.

Follow, rate & review Christmas Countdown wherever you’re listening — it helps spread the Christmas cheer year-round!

Keep the festive fun alive on social media: @christmascountdownshow

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Arctic April: Holiday Traditions, Santa Claus’ Workout Routine, Christmas Appetizers and More!

Who says the Christmas spirit has to take time off?

The fellas are officially unveiling the brand-new format for Christmas Countdown’s offseason releases — and trust us, it’s going to be a game-changer. Think the magic of an advent calendar… combined with a massively merry spinning wheel twist that brings surprises, lists, tips and holly jolly chaos to every episode. What will the wheel land on? What surprise topics and questions are in store? You’ll have to tune in to find out.

Of course, no offseason hang would be complete without the usual dose of wonderfully random holiday (and non-holiday) tangents, laughs, and cozy catch-up vibes that make Christmas Countdown feel like hanging out with your most festive friends year-round.

Follow, rate & review Christmas Countdown wherever you’re listening — it truly helps spread the Christmas cheer all year long!

Stay merry with us on social media: @christmascountdownshow

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It’s the grand finale, Christmas Countdown style — and we’re closing the season with cozy vibes, timeless stories, and a whole lot of holiday heart.

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In this massively merry season finale of the hit Christmas podcast Christmas Countdown, hosts Eric Petersen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Danny Jordan are joined by Producer Chris to count down their Top 5 Christmas Books — the stories that shaped their love of the season, warmed their hearts, and earned a permanent spot on the holiday bookshelf. From childhood classics to meaningful modern reads, each host shares their 5–1 picks, why they chose them, and what makes each Christmas book truly unforgettable.

Eric and Danny also reflect on what’s been happening in their lives as they prepare for Christmas 2025, play a few festive rounds of the fan-favorite holiday game “Christmas Clash” (yes, chaos is guaranteed), and—as always—get delightfully lost in random holiday (and non-holiday) banter that feels like hanging out by the fire with old friends.

PLUS… surprise guests! Five mystery celebrity guests pop in throughout the episode to say hello, join the holiday fun, and share their own Top 3 Christmas countdowns. Think you can guess who they are? Here are your clues:

• Guest 1: Wanted
• Guests 2 & 3: Broadway
• Guest 4: Hippo
• Guest 5: Paper

You’ll want to stick around for every single guest…and a VERY special surprise at the end of the episode.

So grab a blanket, pour a festive drink, and settle in for a joyful, heartfelt season finale that celebrates the stories that make Christmas magical.

Keep the conversation going all year long on social media @christmascountdownshow

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Top 10 Christmas Commercials – The Ads That Make Us Laugh, Cry & Feel ALL the Holiday Feels!

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Grab the hot cocoa… and definitely grab the tissues because in this massively merry episode of the hit Christmas podcast Christmas Countdown, hosts Eric Petersen and Danny Jordan are counting down their Top 10 Christmas Commercials — the iconic, emotional, hilarious, heartwarming ads that define the season and make us feel like kids all over again.

From tear-jerking storytelling to magical brand mascots, from nostalgic classics to those commercials that sneak-attack your emotions every single year, Eric and Danny share their 10–1 picks and break down why each commercial hit them right in the feels. Whether it’s laughter, goosebumps, or full-on holiday tears, this countdown delivers major Christmas spirit.

Eric and Danny also catch up on life as they gear up for Christmas 2025, and take on several rounds of the festively fun holiday game “I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends” with Producer Chris — a game guaranteed to create chaos, camaraderie, and big-time Christmas laughs.

And of course… in classic Christmas Countdown fashion… plenty of delightful, totally unplanned tangents ensue.

So cozy up, get ready to feel ALL the emotions, and join the guys for a countdown that celebrates the commercials that make the holiday season truly magical.

🎧 Follow, rate & review Christmas Countdown wherever you’re listening — it helps spread Christmas cheer far and wide!

🎄 Stay merry with us on social media: @christmascountdownshow

DANNY’S TOP 10 COMMERCIALS

10 – Rockapella Folgers: https://youtu.be/Oe-qhXCGwNg?si=eo9Ea6MeDaymm5yV

9 – Coca Cola Polar Bears: https://youtu.be/ahe2r5fB5hU?si=nXppsVSxRsvIf-o_

8 – Amazon Singing Commercials: https://youtu.be/8JWQy713cHs?si=Y28mN7xvYKtyhQ5u&t=187

7 – Apple Frankenstein: https://youtu.be/bFf3r-pT_WA

6 – Amazon Joyride: https://youtu.be/iYXfgfKfHig

5 -WestJet: https://youtu.be/zIEIvi2MuEk

4 – Hershey Kisses: https://youtu.be/zEhFg6sIOEA

3 – Disney: https://youtu.be/tl57Gy5X_Kg

2 – Chevy: https://youtu.be/NB-DXIGGoqc?si=j-I9A2GbINfoakPi

1 – Doc Morris: https://youtu.be/0Ha1dtAFbAA?si=kTXthY3cuq1Q3ciP

ERIC’S TOP 10 COMMERCIALS

10 – Frankie’s Holiday 2016 Apple https://youtu.be/bFf3r-pT_WA

9 – Hershey Bells 1989 https://youtu.be/zEhFg6sIOEA

8 – Apple The Suprise 2019 https://youtu.be/Rx0om7rWhl0

7 – Folgers Brothers Home 2009 https://youtu.be/uMwFWDIFVCU

6 – Waitrose Keira Knightly love 2025 https://youtu.be/U0lMVhbsypA

5 – Sainsbury’s 1914 -2014- World War 1 Christmas https://youtu.be/NWF2JBb1bvM

4 – Corona O Tanenbaum 1990 https://youtu.be/rADeG4O9OiY

3 – Chevy 2024 Grandma takes a ride to remember https://youtu.be/EeaHlhDypFw

2 – Chevy Memory Lane 2025 https://youtu.be/NB-DXIGGoqc

1 – Doc Morris GranDpa Kettle Bell 2020 https://youtu.be/Z_R4q70_rJg

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

06:25 Reviews

14:08 Eric’s Christmas Jokes

16:56 Mailbag

37:47 Catch Up/Small Talk

51:24 Tinsel Tunes

58:56 Game: “I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends”

1:10:56 The Countdown

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It’s time for another sleigh-ride through the biggest holiday headlines on Merry Minutes, the weekly holiday news show presented by the #1 ranked Christmas podcast, Christmas Countdown, hosted by your festive friends Eric Petersen and Danny Jordan!

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In this fantastically festive episode, Eric and Danny unwrap some of the most exciting and joy-sparked Christmas stories of the week, including:

🧸 Build-A-Bear x National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!
A brand-new collab inspired by the Griswolds that’s guaranteed to bring big laughs — and even bigger nostalgia — to your holiday season. 🎄 ⁠TAP FOR BUILD-A-BEAR COUSIN EDDIE PLUSH⁠

🎥✨ Hallmark Channel + Disney Parks = Magic!
The two holiday giants join forces for their brand-new Christmas movie, Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, and it’s shaping up to be the most magical movie mashup of the season.

🎅📖 A Very Special Conversation with Santa’s Chief Storyteller, Chanda Bell!
The co-creator of Elf on the Shelf stops by to share:
— The story of the very first Scout Elf, Fisbee
— What it’s like being the official voice of the Santaverse
— Behind-the-scenes magic from the upcoming animated series Scout Elf Squad

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It’s heartfelt, whimsical, and pure North Pole charm.

As always, Eric and Danny sprinkle in their signature holiday humor, festive fun, and warmhearted banter, making this episode feel like Christmas morning wrapped in a bow.

🎅 BIG NEWS!
Season 5 of Christmas Countdown is LIVE on YouTube and all podcast platforms! Tune in for brand-new countdowns, special guests, festive games, and massively merry vibes.

🎁 SHOW SOME CHRISTMAS SPIRIT:
If you’re loving the fun, don’t forget to rate and review the show — it helps Christmas fans everywhere discover the magic! And follow the show on social: @christmascountdownshow for daily cheer, behind-the-scenes moments, and Santa-approved silliness.

So grab a mug of cocoa, fluff your Scout Elf’s hat, and settle in for another joy-packed edition of Merry Minutes — your weekly sleigh ride through all things Christmas!

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Merry Minutes: Disney World Christmas Movie, Build-A-Bear Collab & A Visit from Santa’s Chief Storyteller!

Christmas Countdown’s Merry Minutes is back with another massively merry edition of your favorite weekly holiday news show. In this special episode, Eric ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Danny are joined by Mitch Grassi — founding member of Pentatonix, holiday music legend, and all-around Christmas icon.

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Together they dive into:

🎶 How Mitch got into a cappella music (and the moment he knew PTX had something truly magical)
🎄 Mitch’s deep love for the holiday season and the traditions that shaped his Christmas spirit
💿 Pentatonix’s brand-new holiday album Christmas in the City
🕺 Their dreamy duet with Frank Sinatra on “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”
🎧 PLUS — Mitch jumps in on the fun and reveals his Top 3 favorite modern Christmas songs of all time!

This episode is bursting with joy, nostalgia, behind-the-music moments, and enough festive cheer to keep your holiday spirit glowing long after the snow melts.

🎅 BIG NEWS! Season 5 of Christmas Countdown is LIVE on YouTube AND all podcast platforms! Don’t miss new countdowns, special guests, musical surprises, and more holly-jolly fun all season long.

🎁 SHOW SOME CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: If you love the episode, please rate and review the show, and follow us on social media @christmascountdownshow for daily doses of holiday magic!

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