From Christmas 2008: In this super-stuffed Christmas Stocking episode, one of my favorite Christmas stories. I hope you enjoy it. Find info at MyChristmasStocking.net. If you have any stories or poems you would like to be shared on The Christmas Stocking, you can email me: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.  Also follow me on Twitter.com/XmasStocking. And join us on Facebook. And talk to me be on MyChristmasStocking.net, click the Call Me button, and my voicemail will call you.

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Away in a Manger” by Amy Caldwell and Tom Moore (from Soundclick.com)

Background music:

“All Poor Men And Humble” by The Eden Symphony Orchestra from “20 Classical Christmas Favorites”

(Classic Fox Records)

“Christmas Pathetique” by Michael Allen Harrison from “Enchanted Christmas Volume Three”
(MAH Records)
 Buy at Amazon Music

“Angels We Have Heard on High” by Tommy Harden (from “Peace On Earth”)
(IMI)

You can read the story yourself.

Wikipedia has a nice overview of other versions of the story.

If you want to find out more about O. Henry (including his real name) The Literature Network is a good resource.

From Christmas 2009: A Mini Irish Christmas Music Spectacular! Info, music and Christmas traditions from a listener who emailed TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. You can be on the Christmas Stocking. Just go to MyChristmasStocking.net, click the Call Me button and enter your phone number.  My voicemail will call you for free, and you can mark your number private. Follow us on Twitter.com/XmasStocking. And join us on Facebook.

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Mrs. Fogarty’s Christmas Cake” by Darby O’Gill (I originally found it on Soundclick.com. It’s now on Archive.org)

“Children Go Where I Send Thee” by Darby O’Gill (also originally from Soundclick.com, now on Archive.org) An African-American spiritual they say is based on an ancient Irish patter song.

“Silent Irish Night” by Rebsie Fairholm (I originally found it on MacJams.com. I could not find it anymore.)

Background music:

“Christmas Day in the Morning” by Shira Kammen (from Magnatune)

“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by Monika Herzig from “Peace on Earth” (Owl Studios, now Owl Music Group)
Buy at Bandcamp

More information:

Santa’s Net, Kaboose.com, and WhyChristmas.com all have cool tidbits.

All of the represented episodes (will probably) have intros.

This one is from Christmas 2008: A lot happened in the first half of the 20th century, and we look at how Christmas was affected. More at MyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.   Follow me on Twitter.com/XmasStocking. And join us on Facebook. And talk to me be on MyChristmasStocking.net, click the Call Me button, and my voicemail will call you.

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Jingle Bells” by Joe Williams from “Christmas Remixed 2”
(Rock River Music)
Buy on Amazon
Buy at Bandcamp

Background music:

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by Jeffrey Scot Wills from “A Central Standard Christmas”
(IMI)
 Buy from Jeffrey

“Noel Nouvelet/Patapan Medley” by Sarah Whitely (I found it on MacJams.com). I’m unable to find any information on this song. If you have a location for it, I’d love to send folks there!

More information:

OldChristmasLights.com, formerly The Antique Christmas Lights Museum, has information.

History.com has details on the Christmas Truce of 1914.

Wikipedia has a list of Christmas hit singles.

From Christmas ’07: A change of pace this episode. Suzy Clemens, the daughter of Mark Twain, received at least one letter from Santa Claus. Can you imagine? That would be so cool! We will look over her shoulder and read it. Let me know what you think of this special episode at MyChristmasStocking.net. Or email me: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.

Click here to download the show to your device.

Background music:

“Variations on a West Country Carol” by USAF Concert Band and Singing Sergeants (from “Make the Season Bright”)
(Altissimo!)
Buy on Amazon

“Away in a Manger” by Frank McConnell (from “Christmas Guitar – Warm And Intimate Christmas Favorites”)
(Classic Fox Records)
Buy on Amazon

Featured music:

“Snow” by The von Trapp Children (from “Snow – New Songs of the Season”)
(IMI)
Buy at Amazon

More information:

If you would like a copy for yourself, maybe to read to your child…

From Christmas ’07: A lot of what we know as Christmas came from the Victorian era, and some earlier traditions that we enjoy today were revived in the Victorian era. Call us at (323) 487-1225. Tell us your favorite traditions at MyChristmasStocking.net. Or email me at TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/17VictorianChristmas2024.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Background music:

“O Little Town Of Bethlehem” by The Columba Minstrels (from “Christmas On The Back Porch- 20 Treasured Songs of the Season performed in Simple Folk styles”)

(Classic Fox Records) 

Buy on Amazon 

“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” by Eric Wyse (from “Christmas Angels- 20 Treasured Songs of the Season Performed In Peaceful Styles”)
(Classic Fox Records)
 Buy on Amazon

“We Three Kings Of Orient Are” by London Fox Players & Tim Mather (from “20 Christmas Party Favorites”)
(Classic Fox Records)
 Buy on Amazon

Featured music:
“I Saw Three Ships” by The Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor (from “Cathedral Christmas”)
(Classic Fox Records)
 Buy on Amazon

“Love Came Down At Christmas” by Chichester Cathedral Choir (from “20 Choral Christmas Favorites”)
(Classic Fox Records)
Buy on Amazon

More information:

From the original post, the official web site of the British monarchy had an excellent history, but unfortunately the webpage seems to no longer exist.

Also unfortunately, Stuart Buchanan MacWatt wrote about the personal side of Victoria and her family’s approach to Christmas, which is also gone.

A link to the holiday store windows of the past from Victoriana.com is no longer available.

Ah! But a nice overview of Christmas in Victorian times is still there for you to enjoy, and perhaps learn a bit more.

You’ll find a little introduction before the episode.

From Christmas ’06: The centerpiece of holiday decorating is the Christmas tree. Why do we bring a tree inside the house and put pretty baubles on it? Where did that tradition come from? We’ll answer those questions and more on the Christmas Stocking. Comment atMyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.

Click here to download the show to your device.

Background music includes:

“Deck the Halls” by Technohazard (from GarageBand.com)

“O Christmas Tree,” one of Patricia’s Christmas Carols (formerly from Soundclick.com)

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by John Morgan, available on a CD of Christmas music. I found it at  feelslikechristmas.com

Featured song:

“Holy Night” by Sandra Mooy (available on Bandcamp.com

If you want to learn more about Christmas trees:

The National Christmas Tree Association has a lot of information, including tree maintenance.

Wikipedia has a decent history, too, although it has a lot of opinions sprinkled in the information.

The story of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” is a bit fuzzy. We’ll see if we can focus it a little. Just a little. Plus bonus songs you’ll love! I do.  Email me at TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. Call (323) 487-12-25. Follow the Christmas Stocking on Facebook and Twitter @XmasStocking. Thanks to the generous souls who have given to the show at MyChristmasStocking.net/Contribute. Find videos and all the episodes at MyChristmasStocking.net.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/141OComeAllYeFaithful.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured songs:

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” by Meagan Taylor and Jason Coleman from “A Tennessee Christmas” (from Noisetrade)
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Charleene Closshey
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

See the video on YouTube (she’s amazing)

“Joy Whispered” by Rändi Fay
Buy on iTunes

See the lyric video on YouTube

Background music:

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” by Mark Bodino from “My Favorite Christmas Guitar Songs All Year Round”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”  by Chris Friesen from “I Heard the Bells” (from Noisetrade)

“Adeste Fidelis” by Frank Carter from the album “Deck the Halls”
Get the album from Frank

More information:

Learn more about “O Come, All Ye Faithful” from Wikipedia.

Hear more carols and their origins at Carols.MyChristmasStocking.net

It’s the 200th anniversary of the first performance of “Silent Night” and I talk about it and play it here.

It’s not Christmas without Christmas lights. Well, at least these days. How did the electric ones develop and get popular? We’ll talk about that and more. Every episode is at MyChristmasStocking.net, along with a lot more, including video and some pictures. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. Call (323) 487-12-25. Find the Christmas Stocking on Twitter @XmasStocking and Facebook. Thanks to everyone who’s given to the show at MyChristmasStocking.net/Contribute.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/140ChristmasLights.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured song:

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” by the Gothard Sisters from the album “Falling Snow”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

Background music:

“Goodbye Charles” by Over the Rhine from “Even The Snow Turns Blue: An Over the Rhine Christmas Compilation” (from Noisetrade) and “Snow Angels”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“The French Carol” by the Gothard Sisters from the album “Falling Snow”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

More information:

Learn more details from The Smithsonian Magazine.

Hear more episodes about Christmas trees of all types at Trees.MyChristmasStocking.net

Rereleasing the show again! Another episode from the first season back in 2006. I wrote, “How was a Middle Ages Christmas different? For one thing, no one got an iPod.” I guess our Christmases have more in common with the Middle Ages now than when I first presented it. Find out how they celebrated way back when on this edition of the Christmas Stocking. The Christmas Stocking is on Facebook and on Twitter (@XmasStocking). And call (323) 487-12-25. Find every episode, including the unaltered version of this episode at MyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/Re-presentingEpisodeNumber8_AMiddleAgesChristmas.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured song:

“A Pirate’s 12 Days of Christmas” by Gastronomical Unit (from GarageBand.com)
Buy it on iTunes

Background music includes:

“What Child is This” by Stephen Bashaw. I found it at feelslikechristmas.com

“Jingle Bells” by The R&R Project (it was on GarageBand.com)

From all the way back in 2006! Back then I started the season the day before Thanksgiving, so I assumed, correctly, I’m sure, that everyone listening had already seen the parade. Well, I’m even later this year. And the info is 12 years old. I don’t know how many episodes I’ll be able to get out this year, but I hope to have a few new ones. I’ll also sprinkle in some of these chestnuts that have dropped off the feed. I hope you enjoy it. There are old ways to get ahold of me and to find the show. All the episodes are at MyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. Find the Christmas Stocking on Twitter (@XmasStocking) and Facebook. Call (323) 487-12-25.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/RepresentingEpisodeNumber1_MacysThanksgivingDayParade.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured song:

The Santa Claus Rock by Howard Pearlman (originally from feelslikechristmas.com)

Background music:

1) Deck the Halls by John Morgan, available on a CD of holiday music. I found it at feelslikechristmas.com

2) Birth to the Savior by Rejoice (from the old GarageBand.com–not the Apple digital audio app)

More information:

Learn more about the parade from Macy’s. And I talked about them streaming it later, and I think you may be able to stream it later on the NBC app or NBC.com. Oh–and the Verizon 360 view.

I briefly mentioned the Boscov Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, which is now the abc6 Dunkin’ Donuts Parade, and in-between was the IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade. Also America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit, the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago (now Uncle Dan’s Thanksgiving Day Parade), the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, and the Best Buy Thanksgiving Day Parade in Baltimore, which doesn’t seem to be a thing anymore.

Happy Labor Day weekend! Still summer! (At least when I’m posting.) It’s been a crazy year. It’s a mostly-favorites (mine) spectacular this year, with a couple of special previously unplayed songs I think you’ll like. Thank you for your gifts to the Christmas Stocking. MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. They mean a lot. The Christmas Stocking is on Twitter (@XmasStocking), on Pinterest (not enough, I know) and Facebook. Email [email protected]. The phone number is (323) 487-12-25, open any time.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/139TheChristmasStockingSummerMusicSpectacularSeriously.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Christmas Valentine (With You)” by Kimly
Music and lyrics by Kimly Hoang
Arranged by Jerry Andrews and Kimly Hoang
Produced by Jerry Andrews
Originally titled “Mine This Christmas.” On YouTube.
Find more Kimly on SoundCloud and Facebook.

“It’s Christmas” by Cleveland DERUE Cathnott (from GarageBand.com)

“O Christmas Tree” by 21 AD from “Christmas…A Winter’s Love” (Lifestyles)
 Buy at iTunes Music Store
 Buy at Amazon MP3

“The Christmas Song Song” by Rocky and Balls from the album “We Like Cake And Beards And Stuff”

“Children Go Where I Send Thee” by Darby O’Gill (from Soundclick.com) An African-American spiritual they say is based on an ancient Irish patter song.

“Doesn’t Seem Like Christmas” by Dennis Hensley

“Wake Up, It’s Christmas!” by Peter Combe
 Buy at AmazonMP3
 Buy at CD Baby

Background music:

“Dance to da Beat” by 5 is Even (I found it on Mevio.com)

“Joy Kinda Holiday-ish” by Charlie Crowe  (I found it on Mevio.com)

“Nutcracker” by Dat Boi Trill

“Angels We Have Heard on High” by Rhesa Siregar (Songs of Praise)

“God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” by Kevin Zerbe from “The Christmas Wish List”

“Veni, Veni, Emmanuel” by Frank Carter from the album “Deck the Halls”
Get the album from Frank

More information:

Upcoming Christmas albums: “Shatner Claus” by William Shatner (preorder the CD); “Happy Xmas” by Eric Clapton (preorder the CD and vinyl!); Brett Eldredge’s new Christmas album, still a mystery at release time; “It’s the Holiday Season” by Martina McBride (plus a tour!)–okay, okay, I said she hadn’t released a Christmas album in 20 years, giving Brett Eldredge a hard time. EXCEPT YOU DIDN’T HEAR THAT! Due to an editing mistake by my editor (aka me), I cut out info on Brett Eldredge’s Christmas album, which will come out this year. He last had a Christmas album two years ago, and he’s the one I was referring to when I talked about that. Not Eric Clapton, who’s never released a Christmas album (although he has performed a few recorded songs for compilations). I apologize to you, Brett Eldredge and Eric Clapton. And Martina McBride released “The Classic Christmas Album” in 2017. Oops.

The complete Good Housekeeping list of Hot Toys for Christmas 2018. Including Fingerlings Untamed Raptors which I saw available on Amazon, in spite of the fact that the website link previous says “Be the First to Know;” Num Noms Snackable Cereal; Hasbro’s Don’t Step in It game (oh, man, I hadn’t seen Don’t Step in It Unicorn Edition when I talked about it!); Pomsies Grumblies; Melissa and Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Set; Little Live Scruff-a-Luvs pets (man, I didn’t realize how expensive they are!).

More about the Capitol Christmas Tree is here.