Why do we give gifts at Christmas? In this episode, we unwrap the fascinating history of Christmas gift-giving, exploring its roots in ancient traditions, its connections to religious celebrations, and how it evolved into the modern practice we know today. Learn about the symbolism behind early gift exchanges, the story of Saint Nicholas, and how wrapping paper and ribbons became essential to the holiday season.
Whether you’re a last-minute shopper or a meticulous gift-wrapper, this episode reveals the heartwarming history behind the presents under the tree.
And don’t miss the end of the episode, where I’ll read an excerpt from the book, The Lost Years of Santa Claus. Discover Santa’s hidden past and the untold stories that make him the legendary figure at the center of Christmas cheer. This festive deep dive is a gift you’ll love unwrapping!
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Lost-Christmas-New.jpg15831583e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-15 14:12:132024-11-18 06:12:30Christmas Gift-Giving – From Ancient History to Modern Magic
40 Days until Christmas. On this date in Christmas history.
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…
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/2022/08/12165064-1611469236407-b645cb278d3ef.jpg400400e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-15 08:55:452024-11-15 14:56:1740 days, A Christmas Carol, radio play
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Christmas-Morning.png20482048e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-15 03:04:392024-11-15 06:04:5640 Days Until Christmas! (Christmas Instrumental Friday)
Spoiler Alert: Do not miss Cousin Seth’s priceless reaction during his turn to taste it!
In this CLASSIC Thanksgiving pre-game episode, the Christmas Cousins, joined by fan favorites Joe, THE Christmas Aficionado and the King of all Superfans, Lee, go cruelty-free with a tasting of Trader Joe’s famous “Turkey-less Stuffed Roast!”
This vegan “masterpiece” may be a holiday favorite for Cousin Chad (vegetarian for years), but it’s a brand-new experience for Cousin Seth, Joe and Lee.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, we’d love it if you’d give us a rating, drop a review, or follow us on social media for more holiday hijinks and seasonal scoops. Send us your thoughts on Thanksgiving alternatives or let us know your own Thanksgiving traditions by emailing us at ChristmasCousins@gmail.com – we might even read it on the air! Your support keeps our sleigh bells ringing, so thank you for listening and helping us spread the cheer!
Audience Question:
“Would you dare to go turkey-free this Thanksgiving? Or are you firmly Team Turkey? Let us know which side you’re on!”
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In my first November episode of Merry Britsmas, we have more festive questions to answer about food and drunken mistakes, a Christmas comedic special about a big comedian called Greg Davies, and a song that links to armistice day by a pretty famous Liverpudlian called Paul McCartney!
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/merrybritmas.jpg15001500e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-15 00:03:292024-11-15 06:03:50Merry Britsmas 69: A Man Down For A Peaceful Christmas
In today’s episode, author Kevin Moore returns to read us a story from his recent collection entitled “Christmas Stories, Vol. 2”. The story is called “The Rag Tag Sleigh Flyers”, and it’s a heartwarming story set at the North Pole. Henry the Elf is in trouble. It’s almost Christmas and Santa’s reindeer are not able to fly! What could the problem be, and will they figure out a solution before Christmas is canceled?
I am so grateful for Kevin sharing his beautiful story with us! You can find his Christmas books and other books he’s written at https://kevinmoorepublishing.com/
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Cozy-Christmas-New.jpg18751875e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-14 23:02:572024-11-15 06:03:14The Rag Tag Flyers by Kevin Moore – An Original Christmas Story!
What’s up, dudes? remember Archie comics? Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas does, and he’s here with me to talk Archie’s Christmas Stocking #500 from 1980! Laughs abound in this anthology of Yuletide tales with Betty, Veronica, and the gang!
In “A Christmas Ditty,” Archie has no money to buy his girlfriend Veronica a present, so he decides to shovel snow. Eventually he earns enough to get her a slew of gifts, but he’s so tired from his work he crashes on her couch before the joyful exchange. Oh, and it’s all told in rhyming couplets. “Shopworn” sees the boys complain about shopping. The girls volunteer to fight the crowds and it’s revealed Mr. Lodge has his secretary do his shopping.
Archie wakes Veronica in “Crystal Clear” to have a snow day. He pelts her with snowballs until she retaliates by dumping a pile of snow on him. Finally, the girls are frustrated when Archie and Jughead don’t understand the true meaning of Christmas: love. They fly off on a tirade, even claiming Reggie shows love when he’s blasting them with snowballs. The boys decide to show Reggie their version of love by burying him in the snow.
Jughead’s appetite? Check. Stereotypical male shopping behavior? Uh huh. Romantic rivalry between Betty and Veronica? Actually, no, not in this one. So grab your snowballs and send your secretary shopping for you while you enjoy this episode on Archie’s Christmas Stocking #500!
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Twelve Songs goes to Las Vegas this week, first to talk with Sally Olson and Ned Mills of the tribute act Carpenters Legacy about The Carpenters and their Christmas music. This year, they took their affection for both subjects to the natural conclusion and recorded “Christmas Time with You,” a Christmas song made in the mold of the Carpenters.
After that, I talk to comedian and ventriloquist April Brucker, who released a song sung by her and her puppet May Wilson, “Merry Christmas I’m So Glad I Didn’t Marry You.” We talk about ventriloquism, novelty songs, and the age-old tradition of using Christmas music to draw attention to your thing, whatever that thing is.
In the episode, I mentioned ChristmasUnderground.com and my interview with its creator, Jim Goodwin. I also talked about the Holly Jolly X’masu podcast focused on Japanese Christmas music, and mentioned my interview with its host, Scott Leopold. Also in the hype department, I talked about appearing on Gerry Davila’s Totally Rad Christmas podcast to talk about “Do They Know it’s Christmas ” by Band Aid Mk I and Band Aid Mk II.
The episode closes with a great version of “Christmas Time is Here” by Kelli Jones and Daniel Coolik from the EP A Very Melancholy Christmas.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-05-21-at-12.48.29 PM.png199269e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-14 09:44:392024-11-14 12:44:51Carpenters Legacy and Christmas Novelty Songs with April Brucker
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/12165064-1611469236407-b645cb278d3ef.jpg400400e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-14 08:44:172024-11-14 12:44:3141 Days, Caga Tio, The pooping log
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Christmas-Morning.png20482048e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-14 03:19:122024-11-14 06:19:3041 Days Until Christmas! (“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” Song Battle)
Actor John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones) joins Brian to discuss Scrooge, A Christmas Carol. Rhys-Davies plays Dickens’s narrator in this four-part audio drama podcast, set for re-release on November 22.
Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Available in hardcover and audiobook. Find it wherever books are sold, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Christmas-Past-1.jpg14001400e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-14 01:18:492024-11-14 06:19:04Interview: Actor John Rhys-Davies on Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
As Hallmark’s holiday madness continues, the Cousins (and fan favorite, Joe, the Christmas Aficionado) are here to help you navigate the next batch of Christmas movies! From A Reason for the Season to Confessions of a Christmas Letter, they’ll preview four new releases and decide which one they’ll review in full.
We discuss, dissect and choose which one we will be covering next week…
Audience Question:
Which Hallmark holiday movie are you most excited for? And how many holiday movies is too many over Thanksgiving?
Enjoy the episode? Help spread the cheer! Leave us a rating, share a review, and don’t forget to follow us for more holiday fun. Your support means the world to us, and we’d love to hear from you – drop us a line at ChristmasCousins@gmail.com with your thoughts, or hit us up on social media. Thanks for joining us as we count down to Christmas!
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/12165064-1611469236407-b645cb278d3ef.jpg400400e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-13 08:18:572024-11-13 10:19:3742 Days, Why do we eat turkey?
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Christmas-Morning.png20482048e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-13 03:04:422024-11-13 06:05:2042 Days Until Christmas! (“Silver Bells” Song Battle)
We watched Hallmark’s “Five Golen Rings”…and wished we hadn’t. Our review is fun…the movie was not.
Soooo, if you’re still reading this…here we go:
In Seth’s approximately 24th Hallmark viewing (who’s counting?), he, Cousin Chad and Joe, The Christmas Aficionado dive into Hallmark’s new holiday mystery, Five Golden Rings. When artist Audrey returns to her hometown, she finds herself swept up in an unexpected treasure hunt.
But with only nine days to solve it, can she and childhood friend Finn locate each ring’s rightful owner?
Join us as we review the cozy thrills, romantic twists, and, of course, holiday spirit…but, mainly, we question our life’s choices that lead us to watching this movie.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ChristmasCousinsLogoSmallerFont.png10241280e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-13 02:03:312024-11-13 06:04:29Hallmark’s “Five Golden Rings”: Did the Cousins (and Joe) find he worst Hallmark Christmas Movie ever?
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/christmaspodcasts.jpg15001500e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-11-12 19:38:242024-11-12 19:38:24Christmas Podcasts Roundup – November 2nd through November 8th, 2024.
/ @closertochristmas… 
