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
@gvaughnjoy.bsky.social joins me for an eye opening discussion about mid 20th centuryChristmas movies.
Her new book is Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy
#ChristmasMovies #ItsAWonderfulLife #ClassicChristmasMovies #ChristmasPodcast
#MidCenturyChristmas
Her new book is Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy
#ChristmasMovies #ItsAWonderfulLife #ClassicChristmasMovies #ChristmasPodcast
#MidCenturyChristmas
November 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
@gvaughnjoy.bsky.social joins me for an eye opening discussion about mid 20th centuryChristmas movies.
Her new book is Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy
#ChristmasMovies #ItsAWonderfulLife #ClassicChristmasMovies #ChristmasPodcast
#MidCenturyChristmas
Her new book is Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy
#ChristmasMovies #ItsAWonderfulLife #ClassicChristmasMovies #ChristmasPodcast
#MidCenturyChristmas
Exciting news, Sugarplums! I make my acting debut this season as — who else? — the ghost of Christmas Past!
Be sure to listen to the brilliantly bonkers sequel to A Bomb for Christmas on Tim Babb’s @christmaspod.bsky.social starting next week!
Be sure to listen to the brilliantly bonkers sequel to A Bomb for Christmas on Tim Babb’s @christmaspod.bsky.social starting next week!
November 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Exciting news, Sugarplums! I make my acting debut this season as — who else? — the ghost of Christmas Past!
Be sure to listen to the brilliantly bonkers sequel to A Bomb for Christmas on Tim Babb’s @christmaspod.bsky.social starting next week!
Be sure to listen to the brilliantly bonkers sequel to A Bomb for Christmas on Tim Babb’s @christmaspod.bsky.social starting next week!
Reposted by Christmas Past
Brian interviews Vaughn Joy about Christmas in the mid 20th Century and her book about it on @christmaspast.bsky.social
christmaspodcasts.com/18226772-int...
christmaspodcasts.com/18226772-int...
Interview: Vaughn Joy, Author of Selling Out Santa
In today's episode, Vaughn Joy, Ph.D. joins Christmas Past to discuss how the social and political climate of the mid-20th century shaped the Christmas movies of that era. She's the author of the new ...
christmaspodcasts.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Brian interviews Vaughn Joy about Christmas in the mid 20th Century and her book about it on @christmaspast.bsky.social
christmaspodcasts.com/18226772-int...
christmaspodcasts.com/18226772-int...
ou're invited, Sugarplums! It's our annual family gathering to properly kick off the Christmas season and the main season of Christmas Past.
Join me on Thanksgiving Day as we start SEASON TEN of the podcast. See you there!
Join me on Thanksgiving Day as we start SEASON TEN of the podcast. See you there!
November 20, 2025 at 5:28 PM
ou're invited, Sugarplums! It's our annual family gathering to properly kick off the Christmas season and the main season of Christmas Past.
Join me on Thanksgiving Day as we start SEASON TEN of the podcast. See you there!
Join me on Thanksgiving Day as we start SEASON TEN of the podcast. See you there!
What an absolute blast it was to appear on Live! in the Bay on KRON4 yesterday! 🎄📺
Much love and gratitude to producer Gem, Gil, and of course the lovely Jessica Wills.
And a shout out to fellow local author Elizabeth Kemp, who also appeared on the episode! 📚👍
Much love and gratitude to producer Gem, Gil, and of course the lovely Jessica Wills.
And a shout out to fellow local author Elizabeth Kemp, who also appeared on the episode! 📚👍
November 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
What an absolute blast it was to appear on Live! in the Bay on KRON4 yesterday! 🎄📺
Much love and gratitude to producer Gem, Gil, and of course the lovely Jessica Wills.
And a shout out to fellow local author Elizabeth Kemp, who also appeared on the episode! 📚👍
Much love and gratitude to producer Gem, Gil, and of course the lovely Jessica Wills.
And a shout out to fellow local author Elizabeth Kemp, who also appeared on the episode! 📚👍
The Santa Claus we know was shaped by 19th-century poems, stories, and illustrations. In his new book, Searching for Santa Claus, @thomasruyssmith explores these roots. Today, he returns to Christmas Past to trace the literary birth of an icon.
#santaclaus #christmashistory #literarychristmas
#santaclaus #christmashistory #literarychristmas
November 14, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The Santa Claus we know was shaped by 19th-century poems, stories, and illustrations. In his new book, Searching for Santa Claus, @thomasruyssmith explores these roots. Today, he returns to Christmas Past to trace the literary birth of an icon.
#santaclaus #christmashistory #literarychristmas
#santaclaus #christmashistory #literarychristmas
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
#BucheDeNoel #YuleLog #ChristmasDessert #FrenchChristmas #VintageChristmas #HolidayBaking #YuleLogCake
November 12, 2025 at 9:15 PM
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
#BucheDeNoel #YuleLog #ChristmasDessert #FrenchChristmas #VintageChristmas #HolidayBaking #YuleLogCake
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
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
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
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
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
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
Aaaaaannnd....we're back!! Happy Halloween, Sugarplums! And welcome to the 2025 preseason of Christmas Past
www.buzzsprout.com/2299135/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2299135/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:06 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/2299135/epis...
🌿✨ 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
#ChristmasTraditions #Holly #DeckTheHalls #ChristmasDecor #ChristmasPast
October 23, 2025 at 4:38 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
#ChristmasTraditions #Holly #DeckTheHalls #ChristmasDecor #ChristmasPast
🕰️ 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
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
🕰️ 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
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
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
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
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
In the 1960s, Rudolph, Charlie Brown, and The Grinch helped define what Christmas looked (and felt) like on television. #RetroChristmas #ChristmasSpecials #RankinBass #CharlieBrownChristmas #TheGrinch
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
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
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
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
❤️✨ 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
❤️✨ 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 🎄❤️
🍬✨ 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
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
🍬✨ 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
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
Reposted by Christmas Past
Chad and Seth sit down with Brian from @christmaspast.bsky.social to talk about his new book and more on @christmascousins.bsky.social
christmaspodcasts.com/the-origins-...
christmaspodcasts.com/the-origins-...
The Origins of Everything You Love About Christmas – w/Brian Earl...
Welcome back Christmas Cousins! In this episode, we sit down with the one and only Brian Earl, the legendary host of Christmas Past and author "Of Christmases Long, Long Ago". We unwrap Brian’s own ...
christmaspodcasts.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Chad and Seth sit down with Brian from @christmaspast.bsky.social to talk about his new book and more on @christmascousins.bsky.social
christmaspodcasts.com/the-origins-...
christmaspodcasts.com/the-origins-...
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.
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
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.
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.
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
🎧 Listen to the full episode. Link in the bio
September 29, 2025 at 4:08 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
🎧 Listen to the full episode. Link in the bio
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.
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
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.
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.
🦌✨ 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
🎧 Hear the full tale in the episode — link in bio.
#Rudolph #ChristmasHistory #Christmas
September 22, 2025 at 5:30 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
🎧 Hear the full tale in the episode — link in bio.
#Rudolph #ChristmasHistory #Christmas
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
🎧 Want the whole story? Listen to the full episode now. Link in bio.
#ChristmasHistory #LettersToSanta #Podcast
September 19, 2025 at 6:53 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
🎧 Want the whole story? Listen to the full episode now. Link in bio.
#ChristmasHistory #LettersToSanta #Podcast
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
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.
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
Thank you, @thomasruyssmith.com! (And yes...do order your copies now!)