In our last episode, we saw how Christmas by the early modern period (c. 1600) had become a raucous affair, a time when social relations inverted and moral standards were  usually relaxed.  This is a far cry from our modern, family-centered Christmas.  This episode charts the reforms in the 18th and 19th century that gave birth to the modern version Christmas we all know and love.  Topics covered include the origins of Santa Claus and Christmas Trees, Dickens' Christmas Carol and Hoffmann's Nutcracker, the evolution of Christmas presents and more!

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