Christmas Traditions from the Archbishop of Constantinople to Department Store Parades

Guest: Judith Flanders, writer and social historian, primarily focused on Victorian era, author of “Inside the Victorian Home,” “The Invention of Murder,” and, “Christmas: A Biography."

Christmas has had nearly 2000 years of evolving traditions, cultures, and practices.  While we all might think our way of celebrating the holiday is the “right” way to do it, there are actually as many differences as you’d expect with 2000 years of history.

 

A Russian Tradition

Guest: Kim Balaschak, retired collector of Russian New Year’s Tree Ornaments

Kim Balaschak’s Russian New Year’s ornament collection started as a way for her to feel a bit of the holidays in Russia. Over the years, it’s become a chronicle of Russian history. It’s now at The Museum of Russian Art