I think I’ve made my love of podcasts widely known on the blog! My top 5 fashion history podcasts of 2020 is one of my most popular posts this year, and my top history and lit podcasts post is still popular a year and a half later. (We all have more listening time in the time of covid….) So, I thought I would share my favourite holiday and Christmas podcasts with you for Blogmas this year. If you are looking for some festive listening, but aren’t into non-stop carols, I’ve got several recommendations!
Christmas podcasts are harder to find than some other topics, as people often abandon them as soon as the holidays or over. Or as soon as the holiday season picks up. I tend not to start listening to a podcast now unless it has a regular posting schedule, and most Christmas podcasts don’t have that. (And regular can mean periodically in November and December- I don’t expect people to have year-round Christmas…) However, there are a few strong contenders that I subscribe to, and I’ve got them here!
[Dear podcasters: Please have a regular schedule- maybe wait to release the podcast until you have a few episodes recorded. (I completely understand from running a blog that it is a huge time commitment, but it is frustrating as a reader/listener to see people drop off the map after three good episodes.)]
Christmas History Podcasts
I am quite sad that there aren’t more podcasts on the history of Christmas, because it is fascinating. (If this blog in general imparts no other message, let it be that.) I understand that it’s a niche area of history and that the general public is only really interested for a quarter of the year, max, but there is just so much to dive into! Nevertheless, I do have a few favourites to recommend.
Christmas Past podcast
Christmas Past is a podcast and Website exploring the fascinating stories behind Christmas traditions and celebrating Christmas nostalgia.
Introduced in 2016, the podcast has earned a worldwide audience. Episodes are short, and produced in a style inspired by traditional radio news pieces. Each one includes expert guest interviews, Christmas memories from listeners, and fascinating stories. Occasional bonus episodes appear here and there.
Christmas Past is one of my favourite podcasts, because it reminds me of one of my favourite professors. I was lucky enough to take an upper level History of Christmas course with Dr. Gerry Bowler, who has written several monographs on the history and culture of Christmas throughout the centuries. These episodes take me back to that wonderful class, in the best possible way. I appreciate that Christmas Past isn’t simply the history behind the holidays, either. Brian shares different Christmas stories and literature, as well as interviews with authors, holiday traditions from around the Globe, and more! The episodes are quite short, so you can easily fit one or two in throughout the day.
Favourite Episodes: Backstory- Christmas Dinner; Christmas Around the World- The UK
The Lost Christmas Podcast
A dive into the characters, stories, traditions, food, and everything else surrounding the Christmas season all over the world. Each episode ends with a passage from The Lost Years of Santa Claus book, recounting stories that fill gaps in the Santa Claus mythos and answer questions about the man himself and his real story.
This is a newer podcast, it debuted in the fall of 2020. If you do want to focus on the history of the holidays, this is the perfect podcast for you- it is pure history, and it is lovely. It also looks at different themes or figures for each episode, so you know what you will be hearing about. It covers the history and traditions of Christmas celebrations from around the world, which I love. We tend to default to “my Christmas is the RIGHT Christmas” without ever knowing what it looks like for others- it’s time to enjoy different traditions!
Favourite Episodes: Do I Know You? The Female Characters of Christmas You Might Have Missed; More Reasons to Celebrate- Other Christmas- Season Days to Celebrate
Christmas Movie Podcasts
A lot of holiday podcasts out there are based on Christmas movies. I mean, I get it, many of them are rather snarkable, and lend themselves well to chatting. There are many podcasts now that discuss Hallmark and Hallmark-esq Christmas movies, and I’m sharing what I’m listening to right now. (I know that Deck the Hallmark is quite popular, and I did listen to it for years, but I’ve moved on to others now!)
Hallmarkies Podcast
We at the Hallmarkies Podcast love Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Publishing, and really any movie, made for tv movie, or television series that has a little bit of love or goodness. We try to share our honest (and hopefully fun) thoughts with our podcast family as we break down what we’ve seen, what we’re going to see, and whatever else comes along as we discuss our favorite network.
Hallmarkies isn’t specifically a Christmas movie podcast, but for the last few months of the year, it is mostly Christmas related. (I don’t watch a ton of Hallmark throughout the year, so I start listening again when the Hallmark holiday previews come out.) They cover Hallmark movies and tv shows, Lifetime movies, as well as other networks producing these holiday films. In addition to chatting about the movies, they also feature interviews with different cast members and creatives.
Favourite Episodes: Actress Laura Osnes Interview #2 (One Royal Holiday); Non-Hallmark 2020 Holiday Movie Recap Week 1
12 Days Podcast
A Christmas podcast about holiday movies, hosted by a couple, who disagree on what a “typical holiday experience” is, and laugh even more.
This is also a newer podcast, but I’m loving it so far. They cover different popular holiday movies like The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Elf, and The Holiday. Although it is always fun and cheerful to listen to chats about Hallmark movies, but I enjoy hearing more on popular/ mainstream movies as well. I have several LOL moments each episode and given how strange and dark 2020 has been, I think that is a massive achievement in and of itself!
Favourite Episodes: Elf: Big Man, Small Shower; How the Grinch Dismantled CapitalismCheers,
The Historian
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If you are looking for holiday book recommendations (fiction or non-fiction) or movie recommendations, my holiday guide has you covered! (Along with many recipes, DIYs, and the holiday history you didn’t know you didn’t know!) I love sharing the history of Christmas, my personal history, and different recommendations with you, and if you are enjoying this, I would more than appreciate your support via the guide. (All funds are reinvested back in An Historian About Town, bringing you more content!) You can purchase it here!
What are your favourite Christmas podcasts?
Cheers,
The Historian
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