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 starting chapters.
Join Brian Earl to explore the fascinating stories behind the most wonderful time of the year. It's equal parts nerdy deep dive and warmhearted celebration. Think: NPR meets Clement Clarke Moore!
Christmas Past is one of the longest running Christmas podcasts, now in its tenth season. Vanity Fair says: "With excellent production, engaging narration, and short, digestible running times, Christmas Past is perfect to put on while decorating your tree or preparing Christmas dinner."
Brian is the author of two books about Christmas: Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025) and Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022). Both are available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook (narrated by the author). Find them wherever books are sold.
Christmas Past
Backstory: Christmas Popcorn Tins
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Those decorative tins filled with three kinds of popcorn have been a Christmas staple for decades. But...why? In this episode, we find out — by asking the guy responsible for the whole thing!
Music in This Episode
- "Blue Latex" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" — Ahmadmusic, via Pixabay
- "Sticktop" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Jul" — Scott Buckley, via scottbuckley.com.au
- "Tiled Chamber" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Jingle Bells" — Scott Holmes Music, via Free Music Archive
Buy the Christmas Past Book!
Order your copy today. And remember...it makes a great gift!
Share a Christmas memory
Be on the podcast! Just record a voice memo into your phone and send it to christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from.
Keep in touch
christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with Me
- Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links
- Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com
Books
Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life.
Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)