Welcome back to A Cozy Christmas Podcast! Summer’s heat can make it hard to feel the Christmas spirit, but it’s still there—waiting to be found and shared! In this episode, I talk about how creativity can spread joy—especially Christmas joy—and I take a moment to reflect on Currier & Ives and their timeless winter scenes.

For our story today, I read the first two Christmas chapters of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. The March sisters’ creativity, generosity, and joy shine through—whether in giving to a family in need, receiving an unexpected gift from a kind neighbor, or staging a delightfully chaotic homebased theatre performance. Together, they remind us that the best gifts we give (and receive) are always the most heartfelt.

Book Recommendation: Irish Soda Bread Murder by Carlene O'Connor

Bookshop.org affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/a/56283/9781496751089 

Timestamps:

00:00 Christmas Art & Creativity, Currier & Ives, and More

08:25 Cozy Christmas Book Corner 

13:10 Introduction to Little Women

15:15 Little Women, Chapter 1: Playing Pilgrims

39:32 Little Women, Chapter 2: A Merry Christmas

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected]  

#podcast #christmaspodcast #littlewomen #christmasbooks #cozychristmas

I'm finally behind the microphone again, bringing you all the cozy Christmas vibes as we countdown to Christmas 2025. Today, I read an Irish Christmas Story called "Frank Forrest's Mince-Pie" by Fr. Patrick Augustine Sheehan. It tells the story of a young man named Frank who has some strange Christmas dreams about Mince pies, an act of kindness - and of course, what Victorian Christmas story would be complete without some ghostly visitors! I also recommend a book of Christmas stories and share some Irish Christmas traditions! 

Timestamps:

00:00 Life Update!

05:00 Cozy Book Corner: Book Recommendation - The Valancourt etc

08:45 Christmas Traditions in Ireland - National Museum of Ireland

15:52 Story Intro

17:14 Frank Forrest’s Mince-Pie by Francis Augustine Sheehan

32:07 Reflections and Closing Thoughts

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected] 

#cozy #christmas #christmaspodcast #podcast

Happy Valentine's Day... (checks calendar)... belatedly! In today's episode I share some thrilling updates about the weather in Iowa, give some great ideas on how to make your Valentine's Day Christmas themed, and then read the Australian set Christmas story titled: Christmas Day in the Bush, by Samuel Sydney. 

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Declaring Open Season on Groundhogs (aka a weather report)

02:36 Belated Christmas Themed Valentine's Day Celebrations

06:59 Story Introduction - Christmas in Australia once again

11:23 Christmas Story: “Christmas Day in the Bush by Samuel Sydney

22:43 Concluding Thoughts

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected]  

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100191

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100263

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

#Christmas #christmasstories #christmaspodcast

Happy New Year, everyone! Welcome to a brand-new season of A Cozy Christmas Podcast! In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing some Christmas and winter-themed selections from Kilvert’s Diary. Francis Kilvert was an English clergyman in the Victorian era who kept beautifully detailed journals of rural life and ministry from 1870 to 1879. His descriptions of nature and the people around him are an absolute delight to read. However, I do want to give a quick heads-up—some of the entries I’ll be reading touch on themes of loss and grief. I debated whether to include them, but ultimately, I felt they provide an honest and heartfelt glimpse into life during that time. In addition to today’s readings, I’ll also chat about the new year, some potential plans, and more. I hope you’ll join me!

Timestamp

00:00 Introduction

01:20 Reflections on Christmas 2024

04:51 Introducing The Diaries of Reverend Francis Kilvert

07:52 Kilvert's Diary - Selections

38:33 Wrapping Up

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected]  

#Christmas #Newyear #Christmaspodcast #victorian #victorianlit 

Merry Christmas! In today's special Christmas Eve episode, I have several little readings and stories to share with you, along with another fun discussion about Christmas with my daughter Gracie. Today we talk about her favorite Christmas cookies, movies, and she shares some tips on how to show kindness to the people you love during Christmas time. You won't want to miss this one! And get ready, because Gracie comes in with some hot takes on Jim Carrey's Grinch movie. Please no hate mail. We like what we like...

(Note: sorry for the continued bad audio from my mic during our Ask Gracie Anything segment. I'll get it figured out!)

As I wrap up Christmas 2024, I just want you all to know that I so appreciate your continued support! Thank you for listening!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction from "Around the Yule Log" by Willis Boyd Allen

05:53 Ask Gracie Anything - Cookies, Movies, Kindness

24:53 Story: The Christmas Present by Richmal Crompton

36:10 Brief update on the new season in 2025

38:18 Story: The Story of Christmas, by Nora A. Smith 

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected]  

#podcast #cozychristmas #christmaspodcast

Happy Christmas week! Today I finish reading Old Christmas by Washington Irving. In the story our narrator enjoys a fun Christmas Day at Bracebridge Hall and participates in a lot of the older traditions. 

Christmas is just a few days away! I hope you're ready for it!

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected]  

#podcast #christmas #christmaspodcastd

In today's episode, my daughter Grace comes back to talk about her favorite Christmas traditions and memories. We also talk about some recent romantic Christmas movies I've seen lately. Then, for our cozy story, I read Chapter 3 of "Old Christmas" by Washington Irving. In the chapter today, our narrator arrives at Bracebridge Hall on Christmas Eve, and continues to observe the old traditions. 

If you have a questions for Gracie, let me know and it might appear on an upcoming episode!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:22 Ask Gracie Anything: Favorite Christmas Traditions and Memories

13:38 "Old Christmas, Chapter 3: Christmas Eve" by Washington Irving

39:19 Concluding Thoughts

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected]  

#podcast #Christmas #christmaspodcast

There is a bit of a festive spirit around the Cozy Christmas Lodge today... we are celebrating 150 episodes! I want to thank you all for your support and participation in what has become one of the most creatively satisfying experiences of my life. 

So today we start off by looking to the future of Christmas Celebrations, and see what kind of Christmas songs and stories A.I. can make up. While it doesn't go horribly wrong, it does feel kind of... soulless. Then I read a charming children's story called "Matchstick Mouse: Merry Little Christmas" which is written by one of our faithful listeners, Morgan O'Brien! Then I finally am able to sit down with Gracie and catch up on her life. We talk about the "Home for the Holidays" variety show we participated in, including all the details about the Christmas Carol skit. Then we talked about the musical "Wicked", Christmas Music, and the first question of a new segment called Ask Gracie Anything, in which I try to explain who and what the Glo-Friends were.

Buy Matchstick Mouse: Merry Little Christmas: (Amazon) or Bookshop.org (affiliate link)

Timestamps

00:00 The 150th Episode Introduction and updates

02:28 An AI Christmas Story

15:29 Matchstick Mouse: Merry Little Christmas

23:34 Gracie Christmas Chat

45:17 The Holiday Variety Show

49:05 Concluding Thoughts

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected]  

#Christmas #christmaspodcast #podcast

Today I have the first part of a longer story called Old Christmas by Washington Irving. Published in 1815, it explores some of the roots of our Christmas traditions as the main character visits a friend at Bracebridge Hall during Christmas to experience an old fashioned Christmas! It's a story that explores nostalgia and tradition, and is a lot of fun to read!

So settle in by the fire, grab some egg nog or Christmas tea, and enjoy today’s story!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the story

02:39 Old Christmas Chapter 1: Christmas

16:11 Old Christmas Chapter 2: The Stage-Coach

32:01 Concluding thoughts

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected]  

#Christmas #Christmaspodcast #podcast

Do these cookies taste funny to you? It must mean we are talking about cozy mysteries on The Cozy Christmas Podcast!

Today cozy mystery writer Jessica Thompson returns to the show to talk with me about a new Christmas-themed short story collection coming out called  "A Cookie of a Scoundrel". We talk a bit about her series, The Caterer's Guide to Crime, along with some of our favorite Christmas foods. We talk about some our favorite Christmas reads, our mutual love of A Christmas Carol, and more!

Find Jessica Online and order her books at: https://jessicathompsonauthor.com/ 

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375 

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast 

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c 

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ 

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod 

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: [email protected]  

#christmaspodcast #christmas #cozymysteries