Christmas Past
christmaspast.bsky.social
Christmas Past
@christmaspast.bsky.social
The #1 podcast about Christmas, soon entering its 10th season. Host Brian Earl explores the fascinating stories behind the most wonderful time of the year. https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links
Before it was a cake, the Bûche de Noël was a real log. Then, 19th-century French bakers reimagined it. Hear all about it in this 2017 episode of Christmas Past. Link in the bio

#BucheDeNoel #YuleLog #ChristmasDessert #FrenchChristmas #VintageChristmas #HolidayBaking #YuleLogCake
November 12, 2025 at 9:15 PM
We're only a week past Halloween, but the Christmas movies are here! 🎄🎥 Are you watching any yet?

Today, I'm joined by author and film critic, @aduralde.bsky.social. A revised and updated edition of his book, Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas is out now! 🎁📚

#ChristmasMovies #HolidayFilms
November 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
When The Nutcracker premiered in 1892, it was a bit of a flop. But decades later, it became the sound of Christmas. From Russia to New York to every hometown stage, it danced its way into our holiday hearts. Hear the full story in this 2017 episode. #TheNutcracker #Tchaikovsky #NutcrackerBallet
November 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
October 31, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Aaaaaannnd....we're back!! Happy Halloween, Sugarplums! And welcome to the 2025 preseason of Christmas Past

www.buzzsprout.com/2299135/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
🌿✨ Before it decked our halls, holly was a sacred symbol of life in the dead of winter. Hear more about it in this 2017 episode of Christmas Past. Link in the bio for more info.
#ChristmasTraditions #Holly #DeckTheHalls #ChristmasDecor #ChristmasPast
October 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
🕰️ Tick tock, Sugarplums! It's really feeling close now. 🎃

Join me on Halloween for the first new episode of 2025!

Once again, I'll be kicking off the preseason with a ghost story from my friends at Biblioasis.

Join me...if you dare! 👻

#christmastimeisnear #ghoststory #holidayseason #bermonths
October 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Before streaming marathons and CGI elves, there were clay figures and hand-drawn snowflakes. ❄️

In the 1960s, Rudolph, Charlie Brown, and The Grinch helped define what Christmas looked (and felt) like on television. #RetroChristmas #ChristmasSpecials #RankinBass #CharlieBrownChristmas #TheGrinch
October 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Christmas trees once glowed with real candles. Then came one bright idea that changed everything. 💡🎄

In 1882, Edward Johnson, wired together a string of tiny electric bulbs. Christmas was forever changed.
Hear more in this 2017 episode. Link in the Bio.

#ChristmasHistory #ChristmasLights
October 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
❤️✨ Aw, thanks, Wishbook! Reviews help people discover the show. Not only that, but anyone who leaves a review will receive a Christmas Past sticker and a handwritten Christmas card....any time of year 🎄❤️
October 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
🍬✨ Visions of sugarplums…but what are they, really?

They're aren’t plums at all. In old times, they were a luxury treat, and they danced through Christmas history in more ways than one. 🎄 Hear all about it in this episode from 2016. Link in the Bio

#Sugarplums #HolidayHistory #ChristmasTraditions
October 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Big day, Sugarplums! ✨🎄📕

My 2nd book, Of Christmases Long, Long Ago, is out now.

The book features 25 original full color illustrations from acclaimed illustrator and printmaker, Dorothy Siemens. I've included a sample. ❤️

Get it in hardcover, ebook, or audiobook, wherever books are sold.
September 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Let's unwrap some fascinating Christmas history. From simple brown paper to shiny foil and glittering bows, discover how a humble tradition turned into a holiday essential...and how it reflects the way we celebrate Christmas itself.

🎧 Listen to the full episode. Link in the bio
September 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Christmas cards. But for most of history, they weren’t part of the season at all.

Born in Victorian England, these little greetings are a surprisingly recent tradition. ✨

Hear the full story in this episode from 2016. Link in the Bio.
September 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
🦌✨ Everyone knows Rudolph’s red nose…but not everyone knows the man who dreamed him up. Robert L. May was a struggling copywriter who wen to to write one of the most beloved holiday stories of all time.

🎧 Hear the full tale in the episode — link in bio.

#Rudolph #ChristmasHistory #Christmas
September 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM
In this clip from a 2016 episode of the podcast, we dive into the surprising history of how Santa’s mailbag became part of Christmas.

🎧 Want the whole story? Listen to the full episode now. Link in bio.

#ChristmasHistory #LettersToSanta #Podcast
September 19, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Why gingerbread? Why at Christmas? From medieval spice cookies to fairy-tale houses inspired by Hansel & Gretel (or was it the other way around), gingerbread has been part of winter celebrations for centuries. Find out how this spicy, sweet tradition became a Christmas classic.
September 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Thank you, @thomasruyssmith.com! (And yes...do order your copies now!)
An exciting arrival today from @christmaspast.bsky.social! Congratulations Brian - order your copies now!
September 9, 2025 at 7:59 PM
How did a real 4th Century bishop from modern day Turkey become a mythical gift bringer in a fur suit and a flying sleigh? It's a long story...with some surprising twists! Hear all about it in my three part series from 2016 on Christmas Past #podcast #christmas #santaclaus
September 9, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Reposted by Christmas Past
Happy ‘Ber Months! There’s still time to pre-order the revised and expanded edition of my holiday-film guide Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas. #filmsky #booksky 📽 📚 preorder-movie-little-christmas.carrd.co
September 1, 2025 at 8:12 PM
“Of Christmases Long, Long Ago” is my new book, arriving for the 2025 Christmas season.

Find out what Christmas was like centuries ago. Sneak preview: it was weird. And spooky. And rowdy. And kinda gross sometimes.

Available in hardcover and audiobook. Order yours today!

tinyurl.com/msz5f5vc
September 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
* taps mic * 🎤
This thing in?

Oh hi, Sugarplums! It’s September. 🗓️🍁
Time for me to come out of hibernation as we get ready for another Christmas season. 🎄

I hope everyone has had a great year. And I’m excited to share season 10 of Christmas Past with you! ❤️🔟

Stay festive. See you soon! #Christmas
September 2, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Happy 2025, everyone! 🥳 Hope you had a great New Year’s Eve. We’re more of a “noon year’s eve” house. We tried to let Dash stay up till 9pm to see the ball drop on the east coast. By 8:15 he was 🤪😫🙃 so we just showed him a video of the New Zealand countdown and sent him to 🛌
January 1, 2025 at 6:11 PM