Cover image of Christmas Past

Christmas Past

Behind 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... Read more

Ranked #1

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Backstory — Mistletoe

Backstory — Mistletoe

We've treated mistletoe specially for thousands of  years. But how did it go from being an ancient medicine and supersti... Read more

16 Dec 2019

10mins

Ranked #2

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Backstory — Wrapping Paper

Backstory — Wrapping Paper

The appearance of festive gift wrap in stores is one of the first signs that the Christmas season is here. But wrapping ... Read more

9 Dec 2016

11mins

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Ranked #3

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Backstory — Silent Night

Backstory — Silent Night

It's the best known Christmas song in the world, but the story behind it less well known. Maybe that's because so many m... Read more

10 Dec 2019

10mins

Ranked #4

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Roundtable — The Dean Martin Christmas Show, with Jenna Knorr and Todd Killian

Roundtable — The Dean Martin Christmas Show, with Jenna Knorr and Todd Killian

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 9. Today's installment is a trip back to when the crooners crooned and the eggnog was alway... Read more

27 Mar 2020

50mins

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Ranked #5

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Backstory — Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

Backstory — Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

Yes, it's the most famous newspaper editorial of all. It's also the untold story of two skeptics addressing disillusionm... Read more

18 Dec 2019

12mins

Ranked #6

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Backstory — Eggnog

Backstory — Eggnog

We've drunk some form of eggnog since medieval times. But it didn't become a Christmas beverage until it reached America... Read more

18 Dec 2017

11mins

Ranked #7

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Backstory — The Twelve Days of Christmas (the song)

Backstory — The Twelve Days of Christmas (the song)

Twelve days of Christmas? What's up with that? And who ever thought turtle doves and partridges make good Christmas gift... Read more

10 Dec 2018

10mins

Ranked #8

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Story Time — Brian reads "Deck the Halls"

Story Time — Brian reads "Deck the Halls"

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 18. Today's installment is another story, this time a contemporary one. Our friend Sarah Ti... Read more

5 Apr 2020

14mins

Ranked #9

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Story Time — Rikki Meece Reads "When the Yule Log Burns," Part 1

Story Time — Rikki Meece Reads "When the Yule Log Burns," Part 1

In this special bonus miniseries, Rikki Meece from the Sleigh Bells & Mistletoe Christmas Podcast narrates the class... Read more

12 Dec 2019

20mins

Ranked #10

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Backstory — Why do we say "Merry Christmas"?

Backstory — Why do we say "Merry Christmas"?

Have you ever wondered why we say "merry Christmas" and not "happy Christmas"? And why the word "merry" seems to exist n... Read more

25 Nov 2018

11mins

Ranked #11

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Backstory — The Nutcracker

Backstory — The Nutcracker

Unlike other Christmas traditions that Americans import from abroad, The Nutcracker didn't become a Christmas tradition ... Read more

11 Dec 2017

10mins

Ranked #12

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Backstory — Christmas Lights

Backstory — Christmas Lights

The first Christmas lights appeared in 1882, and would forever change the scenery at Christmas time. Fun Links Can't Wa... Read more

30 Nov 2017

11mins

Ranked #13

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Christmas Memories 2019

Christmas Memories 2019

It's my favorite episode of the year: the one that's all about YOU! For the third year in a row, I've received more memo... Read more

23 Dec 2019

18mins

Ranked #14

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Backstory — A Christmas Story

Backstory — A Christmas Story

In 1983, moviegoers were introduced to little Ralphie Parker. And even though A Christmas Story looms large today with 2... Read more

20 Dec 2017

11mins

Ranked #15

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Backstory — Christmas Cards

Backstory — Christmas Cards

Americans will send over a billion Christmas cards this year. Even in this age of instantaneous communication, the physi... Read more

13 Dec 2016

11mins

Ranked #16

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Backstory — Did Charles Dickens Really "Invent" Christmas?

Backstory — Did Charles Dickens Really "Invent" Christmas?

Christmas wouldn't be the same without the influence of Charles Dickens and his most famous work: A Christmas Carol. Som... Read more

28 Nov 2018

12mins

Ranked #17

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Backstory — The War on Christmas

Backstory — The War on Christmas

Shortly after Thanksgiving, certain cable news and talk radio pundits remind you that it’s that it’s time once again to ... Read more

16 Dec 2018

16mins

Ranked #18

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Roundtable — Two Truths and a Lie, with Todd Killian and Gerry Davila

Roundtable — Two Truths and a Lie, with Todd Killian and Gerry Davila

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 13. Today's installment is a devious twist on Christmas trivia. We're playing a game of Two... Read more

31 Mar 2020

53mins

Ranked #19

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Backstory — Christmas Old Time Radio

Backstory — Christmas Old Time Radio

Getting tired of 24-hour Christmas movie marathons and stale cartoon specials? Take a trip back in time to the golden ag... Read more

17 Dec 2016

13mins

Ranked #20

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Interview — Author Jon Clinch discusses his novel, Marley

Interview — Author Jon Clinch discusses his novel, Marley

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 12. Today's installment is an interview with author Jon Clinch. His 2019 novel, Marley is a... Read more

30 Mar 2020

29mins

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