It’s finally here — our yearly Trader Joe’s Christmas Tasting episode, one of the most loved and most requested traditions on the show. Every year we dig into Trader Joe’s newest and weirdest holiday releases, and this year’s lineup might be the most interesting yet.
And we’ve got a very special guest joining us: Chad’s dad, Uncle Barry, making his first official appearance on the show. He jumps in with us and Cousin Seth, Joe (@christmas_aficionado) and Lee (@steelcitychristmas) as we taste, rank, and react to Trader Joe’s 2025 Christmas offerings — from the classics to the limited-edition items that are already popping off the shelves.
We’re giving our honest takes on what’s a must-try, what’s just okay, and what you can confidently skip this year. And yes — we’re also putting the new Greek Yogurt Eggnog to the test. (Cousin Seth trying anything eggnog-related is worth the listen alone.)
Whether you’re here for the laughs, the reactions, or to know what’s actually worth buying before you head to Trader Joe’s, this episode delivers. Watch it on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts — this is one of our favorite episodes to make every year.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Advent-Calendar-House.jpg20482048e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-04 01:58:282025-12-04 06:58:43The Town Santa Forgot
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.
🎶 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!
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FSWNSkrVkAAeN_d.jpg10801080e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-04 01:57:542025-12-04 06:58:14Merry Minutes ft. Mitch Grassi from Pentatonix
What’s up, dudes? We’re in the middle of the 12 days of Christmas, so that means time is precious. Also, I drove 10hrs to see my folks, and didn’t have a lot of time to get a new episode ready. So, here are a few holiday IDs from 1989 by the entire Capitol family!
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/7418CA16-2CBF-45F1-893C-8E5ACBC3D471-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-04 01:57:202025-12-04 06:57:451989 Holiday IDs by the Entire Capitol Family
On this week’s episode of the TGI Podcast, we’re breaking out The List once again—this time counting down the five most quotable Christmas movies of all time. From the lines we repeat every December without even thinking, to the moments that have become full-on holiday language, we’re diving into the movies that basically wrote our seasonal vocabulary.
We’ll go from No. 5 all the way to the top spot, sharing iconic quotes, personal memories, and why these films have the staying power to be recited each and every year. Plus, we drop in a couple of honorable mentions for those classics that just missed the list.
If you love holiday movies, nostalgia, and saying these lines right along with us, this is one countdown you don’t want to miss.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TGI-Podcast-New.jpg10801080e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-03 23:56:522025-12-04 06:57:09The List: Most Quotable Christmas Movies
22 Days until Christmas. This week on the podcast, I’m talking about 7 lesser known Christmas characters.
Today’s episode is all about Mari Lwyd
If you would like to pick up the Closer to Christmas Coloring Book that I released, for yourself, or as a gift for someone, you can do so, by clicking here: https://a.co/d/7n5QjOr… can follow me here: @closertoxmas You can also email me, I would love to hear your feedback. Email me at closertochristmaspodcast@gmail.com Please rate and review the podcast wherever you are listening, it helps spread the word, and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. To check out any visual component to this epidode, check out my Youtube page: / @closertochristmas…
If you would like to check out my ko-fi page, and support me as an artist, you can follow this link: (5) Ko-fi.com – Your Ko-fi and click on the shop page to get some free, or pay what you like christmas phone wallpapers!
And finally, and HUGE thank you to my brother, Kevin, for allowing me to use his music throughout my show. If you like what you hear, you can pick up his album on Itunes, which can be found here: A solstice night on Apple music or A Solstice Night on Amazon (https://amazon.com/music/player/album…)
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Christmas-Everyday-new.png11611161e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-03 05:10:432025-12-03 06:11:06It’s the Christmas Every Day Advent Calendar! December 3, 2025
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Christmas-Morning.png20482048e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-03 03:10:122025-12-03 06:10:3222 days until Christmas (“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Song Battle)
What’s up, dudes? We had a blast covering the last few movies, so we’re continuing our live commentary series! This time it’s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and it’s awesome! Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast, CJ Bélanger from Rose Suchak Ladder, and I have a blast with this watch along!
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/7418CA16-2CBF-45F1-893C-8E5ACBC3D471-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-02 23:09:092025-12-03 06:09:28Christmas Vacation watchalong (w/ Anthony and CJ)
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/CPP-Episode-1-mp3-image.jpg15001500e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-02 19:03:302025-12-02 19:03:30Christmas Podcasts Roundup – November 22nd through November 28th, 2025
23 Days until Christmas. This week on the podcast, I’m talking about 7 lesser known Christmas characters.
Today’s episode is all about The Kallikantzaroi
If you would like to pick up the Closer to Christmas Coloring Book that I released, for yourself, or as a gift for someone, you can do so, by clicking here: https://a.co/d/7n5QjOr… can follow me here: @closertoxmas You can also email me, I would love to hear your feedback. Email me at closertochristmaspodcast@gmail.com Please rate and review the podcast wherever you are listening, it helps spread the word, and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. To check out any visual component to this epidode, check out my Youtube page: / @closertochristmas…
If you would like to check out my ko-fi page, and support me as an artist, you can follow this link: (5) Ko-fi.com – Your Ko-fi and click on the shop page to get some free, or pay what you like christmas phone wallpapers!
And finally, and HUGE thank you to my brother, Kevin, for allowing me to use his music throughout my show. If you like what you hear, you can pick up his album on Itunes, which can be found here: A solstice night on Apple music or A Solstice Night on Amazon (https://amazon.com/music/player/album…)
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Christmas-Everyday-new.png11611161e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-02 05:26:252025-12-02 06:27:06It’s the Christmas Every Day Advent Calendar! December 2, 2025
Yes, somehow 47.83 million listeners (give or take… mostly give) have stuck with us through Christmases past, present, and future, and today we celebrate hitting the big 2-5-0 with a very on-brand episode:
a wellness check on Cousin Seth’s holiday spirit.
We’re deep in the season now, which means it’s time to evaluate how Seth’s Christmas Journey is going—especially since he’s been assigned a full slate of festive challenges by Cousin Chad, Joe the Christmas Aficionado, Cousin Lee, and pretty much the entire super-fan community.
Is he thriving?
Is he struggling?
Has he lit any outdoor lights yet, or is he still emotionally negotiating with the extension cords?
We check his progress, his mood, his merriment levels, and whether he’s on track to advance from Jolly Junior to Santa Senior—or whether we’re looking at a full-season remedial course.
Join us for this milestone moment, a heartfelt thank you to our outrageously supportive listeners, and a promise for 250 more episodes…and beyond (sorry, Seth).
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ChristmasCousinsLogoSmallerFont.png10241280e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-02 03:25:572025-12-02 06:26:13Our 250th Episode Spectacular: Measuring Seth’s Christmas Spirit (aka The State of the Seth address)
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Christmas-Morning.png20482048e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-02 03:25:312025-12-02 06:25:4623 days until Christmas (Original Christmas Song Battle)
On this episode, we bring you a special presentation of act 2 of our made-for-podcast Christmas movie: “A Bomb For Christmas 2: Past, Present, and Future.” We will be releasing a new act every Tuesday until Christmas!
Brief Synopsis:
Last year, detective Tracy Chabert helped her partner, Holly, foil a plot to blow up a small town Christmas festival. This Christmas, someone is out to get revenge on Holly and it’s up to Tracy to save her…and she’ll be getting a little help from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. It’s the movie that answers the question no one asked, “What would happen if you combined Die Hard 2 an A Christmas Carol?”
In Act 2, Tracy is sent to the past and learns the shocking truth about what really happened last Christmas.
(The embedded player for the episode is bellow the credits)
A Bomb for Christmas 2: Past Present and Future Act 2 was written directed and produced by Tim Babb
Cast:
Kiki Cronin as Tracy Chabert
Emmily Scherb as Alana/Jemma Rickmanovich
Jeffery Cronin as the Russian Voice
Justin Dinger as Gern Blanston
Dynelle Babb as Holly McTiernan (Archival audio from “A Bomb For Christmas” 2020)
Brendan Scherb as Bobby McTiernan (Archival audio from “A Bomb For Christmas” 2020)
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Advent-Calendar-House.jpg20482048e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-12-02 01:24:102025-12-02 06:24:28The Simpsons – ’Tis the Fifteenth Season
/ @closertochristmas… 
