We start off with the Christmas Quiz and we have an extra question so I can shoehorn in a great joke.
Then our Self-Appointed Podcast Barman Bob Baker discusses the word Trolley.
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is ‘A Christmas Carol: Scrooge’s Ghostly Tale’ a naff computer animated version from 2006.
They stay reasonably close to the story and if you want to put yourself through it, here’s a link:
Then Bob returns with Christmas Everyday and gives us another suggestion on how to keep Christmas all year long.
Then we look at Sinterklaas. He’s the Dutch version of Santa Claus. You won’t see any reindeer, but you will see a white horse.
Our recommendation is All Your Christmases a podcast hosted by Calum Crosthwaite. Each episode he interviews a guest about their Christmas memories, covering many years and many countries it’s well worth a listen.
Here’s a link:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092747
If you want to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
First up we have a story from our listener Travis who shares the tale of how he found out the truth about Santa Claus.
Next up Bob Baker discusses how us Brits use the word ‘Bloody’.
Then it’s the new slimmed down quiz. Ten questions, ten answers and then we can all get on with our lives.
Next up it’s the return of The Christmas Not So Classic Song. This one is an overlooked offering from The Killers, A Great Big Sled. It’s criminal this isn’t a classic cause it’s a blinder.
Have a listen:
Then it’s a hilarious Joke.
Next up Bob Baker is back with Christmas Everyday with another way to keep the Christmas spirit with you all year.
Then it’s What The Dickens and we have a look at Belle and Fred’s wife, and discuss a couple of things you may not have noticed before.
This episode’s recommendation is my favourite TV show, Curb Your Enthusiasm. The wife and I are watching series 11 at the time of recording and we love it.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2023-02-11 17:59:022023-02-13 05:59:37Episode 75 – A Great Big Sled
We’re back baby and it’s a brand new year with the same old crap!
First up we have a lovely story from Tracy Dawson who shares the story of the year her daughter wanted Santa to bring a flying carpet.
Then Bob Baker teaches us all about the English rude word bollocks.
Next up it’s the quiz and joining us with all the answers is Brian Earl. Brian is the host of Christmas Past Podcast and also the author of the Christmas Past book.
Here’s a link:
Then Bob Baker is back with his second segment. This is a brand new segment called Christmas Everyday and in it Bob shares ideas on how to keep a glimmer of Christmas in your life all year long. If you have any suggestions email them in.
Then we look at A Christmas Carol from 1999 starring Patrick Stewart. It’s pretty good and if you want to watch it here’s a link:
Then we have the triumphant return of the yule log and this one features The Fraggles.
It’s okay I suppose.
Check it out here:
This episode’s recommendation is Rock, Paper, Swords a podcast that talks about historical fiction. Their Christmas episodes takes a look at the history of Christmas and it’s excellent.
Check it out here:
If you want to get in touch, here’s the email:
totalchristmas@gmail.com
or check out the website:
totalchristmaspodcast.com
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2023-01-28 17:04:592023-01-30 06:05:35Episode 74 – Patrick Stewart’s Christmas Carol
You have no idea how much Christmas I have crammed into this episode.
First up there’s a quick recommendation of one of my favourite Christmas films.
It’s called Christmas, Again and I love it.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3894188/
Next up is a treat for any fans of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Nate Hance has done a fantastic Jazz take on the Vince Guaraldi soundtrack.
Have a listen here:
https://natehance.bandcamp.com/album/a-charlie-brown-christmas-nhanced
Then it’s Do You Hear What I Hear with Bob Baker, and he’s wishing us a Happy or Merry Christmas.
Then, thanks to our listener Timothy Lewis, I have a listen to 5 Christmas songs from the US and say if I’ve ever heard them before.
Here they are:
Hard Candy Christmas – Dolly Parton https://youtu.be/GOzi-gD7-ts
Then we have Scott Newman reading another interesting story about the life of the real Saint Nicholas. Sounds like old Saint Nick had a bit of temper on him.
Next up we have, for the 3rd year in a row, the wonderful Shelli Arnold telling us all about her Christmas village. You have to check out the pictures on Facebook to truly appreciate it.
Then Natalie Bickel tells us the story of how she found out the truth about Santa when she was only 6!
Natalie is the author of The Christmas Clue a delightful children’s book that could be the perfect start to a yearly tradition.
Check it out here:
Then it’s one of the laziest versions of A Christmas Carol I’ve ever covered. It could’ve been so good, but instead was naff.
It’s A Sesame Street Christmas Carol, don’t watch it:
Then it’s the quiz and we have Adam Kennedy on to try his luck and he does okay.
Adam has a very funny Christmas album that you need to listen to:
https://adamkennedy.bandcamp.com/album/literally-shrunk-down-and-living-in-my-christmas-village
Then we have Bob Baker’s final Wonderful Christmastime of the year and he gives us 10 great suggestions for how to make the season bright.
This episode’s recommendation is I’m Not Complaining with Robin and Juno, a wonderful podcast hosted by the world’s youngest podcasters.
Have a listen:
The other recommendation is my book. Thursday Night’s Alright by Jack Andrews.
It’s great.
After the credits we have Between The Lights by E F Benson read by Tony Dixon.
Tony Dixon is the host of Happy Halloween podcast which is great:
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-12-17 17:45:242022-12-17 18:46:09Episode 72 – The Christmas Village
There’s no hiding from it…. Christmas Is Here! Hallelujah!
The show is packed.
First up why not have a listen to The Happy House Sessions Christmas Mash-Up from Steven Beech. It’s an hour of Christmas favourites all crammed together to get you in the spirit:
I’ve been inundated with requests from our US correspondent Scott Newman for the What The Dickens segment, so I do my best to cover all of them.
There’s a lot, but it’s interesting stuff.
This episodes Do You Hear What I Hear from our podcast barman Bob Baker discusses how us Brits can’t stop using the word ‘Cheers’.
Then it’s the quiz and Ed Daly, the author of the Christmas Book gives it his best.
Check out his book, it’s great:
Last year I played a few of Adam Kennedy’s Christmas songs, from his album Literally Shrunk Down and Living In My Christmas Village. Well this year I’ve got him on the show to talk to us about some more of his songs.
They are very funny and you need to give the album a listen:
https://adamkennedy.bandcamp.com/album/literally-shrunk-down-and-living-in-my-christmas-village
Then Bob Baker is back with Wonderful Christmas time. Learn about Christmas Haunted Houses, Christmas Castles and Surfing Santas.
This week’s recommendation is my book again. . . because last time I recommended it no on listened. Well not no one, but only 5 people, and bearing in mind this is the greatest work of literature ever written I think more people should give it a shot.
Here’s the link. If you buy it I’ll shut up about it:
Why not get in touch.
You can email:
totalchristmas@gmail.com
or have a look at the website:
totalchristmaspodcast.com
It’s December, that means it’s officially Christmas and you don’t have to be ashamed of listening to the podcast.
First up Bob Baker is explaining the term ‘Tuck in’.
Then we have an interview with Brian Earl of the Christmas Past podcast. He’s got a book out that is ideal for anyone who loves the interesting history of Christmas.
Here’s a link:
Then we have the quiz and you can compete with our US correspondent Scott Newman. He has two great Christmas podcasts, check them out…
https://www.christmasmorningpodcast.com/
Then Bob Baker gives us some more great Christmas activities going on in Wonderful Christmastime.
This week’s version of A Christmas Carol is an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati, called Bah Humbug. I’m joined by Ed Daly the author of The Christmas Book: The Ultimate Guide To Your Favourite Holiday.
Here’s a link to the episode:
And here’s a link to Ed’s book:
Last year I recommended some great little Christmas ghost story books from Biblioasis called Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories. They’ve added even more books to the collection this year.
Check them out here:
http://biblioasis.com/product-category/fiction/seths-christmas-ghost-stories/
This episode’s recommendation is Thursday Night’s Alright by Jack Andrews. Just download it.
It’s episode 69.
That’s right 69, and you know what, I’m so mature I don’t even mention it once.
It’s true, just listen and you’ll see.
The show starts with Bob Baker and Do You Hear What I Hear. This week it’s Naff.
Then Paula Horwood shares the harrowing tale of how her supply teacher told the whole class who really delivers the presents on Christmas Eve,
Paula is the creator of Baubicles and you can learn a bit more here:
https://baubicles.co.uk/
Next up we have the quiz and it’s out with the old and in with the new. I’ve run out of questions from the original quiz so I’ve bought a book.
If you fancy being a Christmas Quizmaster you can have the old quiz, just email me and your name will go into the hat.
Then our US correspondent Scott Newman is on the show to tell us if he recognises some classic British Christmas songs.
The songs are:
Walking In The Air
2000 Miles by the Pretenders
Step Into Christmas by Sir Elton John
Keeping The Dream Alive by Freiheit
Saviour’s Day by Cliff Richard
Check out Scott’s podcasts here:
https://www.christmasmorningpodcast.com/
Then I plug my merch. Do you want a T-shirt that let’s people know you love Christmas?
Well if you do all the proceeds go to charity.
Check out the T-shirts here:
http://tee.pub/lic/Fd5fQwF4tsY
Also I have a book.
Thursday Night’s Alright by Jack Andrews
I wrote it nearly 20 years ago. It’s very rude and there’s lots of bad language, but on the plus side it is very funny.
If you have Kindle Unlimited you can read it for free, or buy the ebook version on Amazon for $3.
(There’s no cover picture on Amazon at the moment, but it does have a cover, it just hasn’t processed yet, although when you read this, it might have a cover).
Then it’s What The Dickens and we discuss a couple of very interesting bits about Candles in A Christmas Carol
Next up Bob Baker is back with Wonderful Christmastime and we have more Christmas traditions that you can get involved in.
Then it’s part 2 of Between The Lights by E F Benson as read by Tony Dixon.
Check out Tony’s podcast here:
This week’s recommendation is the fantastic book Thursday Night’s Alright by Jack Andrews. A crude but hilarious novel that your mum might find offensive, but you’ll love.
Here’s a link:
If you want to get in touch, what are you waiting for…
Email:
totalchristmas@gmail.com
website:
www.totalchristmaspodcast.com
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-11-19 17:19:102022-11-20 11:20:15Episode 69 – More Classic British Christmas Songs
This episode has so much in it there’s barely any space to breathe.
First up we have another story about the life and times of the real Saint Nicholas. It’s read to us by Scott Newman our US correspondent and host of Tinsel Tunes Podcast.
Next we have Do You Hear What I Hear and Bob Baker our podcast Barman discusses the British use of the word ‘mate’.
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is the Bewitched episode Humbug Not To Be Spoken Here. It’s a blast from the past and isn’t too bad.
If you want to watch it, here’s a link:
Then we have an interview with the delightful Natalie Bickel, she’s written a charming book called The Christmas Clue. It’s based on a family tradition where every Christmas her dad sets a scavenger hunt around their house.
Here’s a link to check it out:
and here’s Natalie’s socials:
https://www.facebook.com/natmosfear/ Tweets by natmosfear
After that we have the quiz and we have Paula Horwood the creator of Baubicles doing her best, see if you can beat her score.
To check out Paula’s Baubicles here’s a link:
https://www.baubicles.co.uk/
Then it’s Wonderful Christmas time and Bob Baker gives us Christmas traditions from the US, the UK and Australia. Thanks to Adam Parker for his tradition of Christmas singalongs in the pub.
Check out Adam’s podcast here:
https://merrybritsmas.podbean.com/
Then it’s the debut of a brand new segment. Tony Dixon our self-appointed Spooky Correspondent is telling us a spooky Christmas story in 5 parts. The story is Between The Lights by E F Benson.
You can check out Tony’s podcast here:
This week’s recommendation is Christmas Creeps podcast. Each episode they review a different Christmas movie.
To have a listen here’s a link:
https://christmascreeps.com/
If you want to get in touch I’d love to hear from you.
Here’s the email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Merry Christmas you beautiful people and welcome to episode 67 of the TCP.
We begin with a heart-warming story from Susan Bratcher Tischer.
Then it’s Wonderful Christmastime and we have more Christmas events and traditions from Bob Baker.
Then I take a look at roast chestnuts and discuss the history of this delicacy and why it’s not so widespread these days.
Next up is an interview with Paula Horwood the creator of Baubicles. These are a fantastic decoration to hang on your tree that you can store an engagement ring or jewellery in for your loved one.
Check out her website:
https://www.baubicles.co.uk/
Want to know why us Brits say ‘boot’ but people in the US say ‘trunk’ well Bob Baker is going to explain it for you in Do You Hear What I Hear.
Then it’s the quiz. Hooray.
Then we have another heart-warming story, this time it’s from John McAllister.
This episode’s recommendation is the Happy Halloween Podcast hosted by friend of the show Tony Dixon.
You can check it out here:
If you want to get in touch then do it.
Here’s the email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-10-22 17:59:312022-10-23 20:00:22Episode 67 – Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
This packed has got loads of stuff.
First we have the quiz and you can compete again Todd Killian the host of Christmas Clatter.
You can check out his podcast here:
https://www.christmasclatter.com/
Then it’s Do You Hear What I Hear? and Bob Baker looks at the word Loo.
Then we take a look at T Bag’s Christmas Carol from 1989 and to call it a version of A Christmas Carol is twisting the truth beyond recognition. Plus it’s crap.
You can watch it here if you feel like punishing yourself:
Some of you guys have sent in your Christmas traditions and Bob Baker takes a look at some of them in Wonderful Christmastime.
A couple of episodes ago we looked at the real life Saint Nicholas and I told you I’d be reading out some of his legends in the upcoming episodes. Well I’m not, but Scott Newman is. This episode we look at the The Miracle of the Grain.
You can check out Scott’s podcast here:
Then we have an interview with a real life Santa Claus, or Santa Kev as he likes to be known, He really looks fantastic, here’s a link:
https://www.facebook.com/santa.kev.presesnts/
Why not get in touch.
The email is totalchristmas@gmail.com
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-10-08 17:58:012022-10-10 05:58:30Episode 66 – An Interview With Santa
First up Bob Baker our podcast Barman explains to our US listeners the meaning of the term ‘Togs’.
Then we have a look at A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa. It’s a lovely entry to the muppets Christmas canon and has some great cameos and some decent jokes.
Then Bob Baker is back with Wonderful Christmastime and he tells us about some of the wonderful activities you can get involved with this Christmas.
After that we have an interview with Todd Killian the host of Christmas Clatter. We have a chat about what it’s like being a mail carrier around Christmas.
Check out Christmas Clatter here:
https://www.christmasclatter.com/
Then it’s the quiz. Will you be able to decipher my badly hummed Christmas songs.
If you want to get in touch, stop sitting there and do it.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-09-24 17:46:552022-09-26 05:47:23Episode 65 – Letters to Santa
It’s another packed show and there’s no time to waste.
First up we give our Scandinavian-American correspondent some tips on how to make an authentic Jacob Marley Christmas costume.
Then it’s this episode’s version of a Christmas Carol. It’s called Huh Huh Humbug and it was part of the Beavis and Butthead Do Christmas episode.
If you want to watch it it’s on YouTube, but it’s lots of parts you have to watch in a row, here’s a link:
Then we have another brand new segment from our podcast barman, Bob Baker. We’re calling it Wonderful Christmastime and each episode we’ll be looking at different Christmas activities you can get involved in to make Christmas that bit more special.
Next up we take a look at the history of the real Saint Nicholas, there’s not a lot of historical records and some that we have are a bit dubious, but it’s interesting stuff and we’ll also look at one of the legends associated with him.
Then Bob Baker is back with Do You Hear What I Hear, and this time Bob hears the word ‘Dodgy’.
Then its’s the quiz and you know you love it.
This episode’s recommendation is You Must Remember This, a podcast that looks at the forgotten stories from the early days of Hollywood. I’ve been a listener for years and I love the show.
Here’s a link:
http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/
If you want to get in touch, drop us an email at:
totalchristmas@gmail.com
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-09-10 22:58:392022-09-12 05:59:13Episode 64 – The Real Saint Nicholas
It’s episode 63 of the TCP and it’s great to have you hear.
First up we have a Yule Log, and what better way than to celebrate the birth of Jesus than watching him drink wine next to a lovely wood fire with his faithful dog by his side.
If you want to watch it, here’s a link:
Then we look at how much Bob Cratchit earned and if he was really that poor.
In this episode’s Do You Hear What I Hear our self-appointed podcast bartender Bob Baker explains the meaning of the word Crisps.
Then we have a new segment, Wreck The Halls. This was suggested by Bob, and it’s your chance to share stories of when things didn’t go according to plan at Christmas. Bob shares the story of his first Christmas as a married man and how their glorious tree became, well, not so glorious.
Then it’s the quiz. 10 questions, 5 songs and a whole load of fun.
This episode’s recommendation is The Total Christmas Podcast. Not as entertainment, but as a sleep aid. Try it, you’ll sleep like a baby (you’ll wake up in the middle of the night crying because you peed yourself).
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-08-27 17:52:432022-08-29 05:53:19Episode 63 – How Poor Was Bob Cratchit?
It’s Episode 62 of The TCP and this episode is more Christmassy than a jolly old elf easting a christmas pudding made of holly.
We start off with the abysmal Carry on Christmas. Filled with smut and innuendo and very little of the actual story this was the first of 4 Christmas specials from the Carry on Films team.
If you really want to watch it here’s a link:
Then it’s time for Do You Hear What I Hear with Bob Baker. This episode he’s looking at the word ‘Nick’.
Then it’s the quiz and we all how much you’re enjoying that.
This episode we look at the tradition of The Hunting of the Wren where, on the Isle of Man, and in parts of Wales and Ireland, people would go out at Christmas, catch a wren and then parade it round the village begging for money.
I’m pleased to say the tradition is still going to this day, but they no longer hunt a real bird.
This episode’s recommendation is The Allusionist Podcast with Helen Zaltzman, a podcast that talks about language. It’s a great listen and I know you’ll enjoy it.
Check it out here:
https://www.theallusionist.org/
If you want to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
I recorded this the week after the previous podcast, so I was in a bit of a rush but I’ve done my best.
We start with Do You Hear What I Hear and our self-appointed podcast barman, Bob Baker, explains to us the word ‘bum’. Is it your bottom, is it a hobo or is it both?
Next up we have our second Story of Shame from the wonderful Jennifer Kay she shares the story of waking her mum up (who’d been working all night in the ICU) to the sound of her and her sister’s glorious singing.
Then we have the triumphant return of Robin Sings. Robin and Juno give us their rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas. Don’t worry, it’s only the last verse. If you want to check out their podcast, here’s a link:
anchor.fm/notcomplaining
Then it’s the quiz, test your Christmas general knowledge and listen to me hum some tunes.
Mike Westfall of the Advent Calendar House Podcast was kind enough to let me use this clip of his show, where his guest Justin O’Connor shares how he found out the truth about Santa Claus.
Check out the Advent Calendar House Podcast here:
https://adventcalendar.house/
Then we have a short What The Dickens where I discuss what was, at the time, a controversial line in the book.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-07-30 17:33:502022-07-31 20:34:20Episode 61 – God Bless Us Every One
This episode starts with our weekly quiz. Do you know what colour mistletoe berries are? If you do, you’ll get at least one question right. If you don’t…. what? of course you know what colour they are.
Then we have a Story of Shame sent in by the mom of our podcast mascot Elmer, Jennifer Kay.
This week the Do You Hear What I Hear from our podcast barman, Bob Baker, is all about Nappies.
Then I talk about Christmas in July, the history of where it (possibly) originated and how it evolved.
Then I look at 8 different songs that all share the same title: Christmas in July.
Here they are if you want to listen to the whole song:
Jonathan Coulton & John Roderick
Alex the Astronaut
Lizzie Waters
Englewood
The Therapy Sisters
The Ego Trippers
Sufjan Stevens
Nik Whitcomb
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is The Jetsons Christmas Carol and if you want to listen to it, you’ll have to check out the latest episode of The Advent Calendar House Podcast with Mike Westfall.
Here’s a link:
https://adventcalendar.house/
This episode’s recommendation is a very funny podcast called Wheel of Misfortune hosted by Alison Spittle and Fern Brady. If you don’t mind a bit of bad language, you’re sure to find it very funny.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08m3z73/episodes/downloads
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-07-16 17:37:262022-07-17 20:38:15Episode 60 – Christmas in July
I’ve been ill so don’t give me a hard time if this episode isn’t up to the usual standard.
We start with a Christmas Not So Classic this time it’s 21st Century Christmas an attempt by Cliff Richard to get a Number one single in his 6th consecutive decade. It’s not that bad… or that good.
Our Self-appointed podcast barman Bob Baker explains the difference between Pissed and Pissed depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re on.
Then we have a new segment. I bought a Christmas quiz game at my local car boot sale and you all get to have a go at the questions.
Then Mike Westfall from The Advent Calendar House podcast tells us all about how he found out about Santa Claus.
This episode’s What The Dickens looks at 4 different words or phrases that are used in the description of Scrooge.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-07-02 17:16:432022-07-02 19:17:15Episode 59 – A New Christmas Quiz
